Evaluation of Different Grass Height Management Patterns for Bird Control in a Tropical Airport

Resumo

Grass height management is an important tool as a wildlife hazard prevention strategy on airports. Different grass heights, mowing regimes, and grass species composition can attract varied groups of species representing different levels of risk for this kind of environment. Therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize the species that make up the grass cover of the Aeroporto Internacional Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek and compare potentially hazardous bird activities within three grass management patterns in operation areas of a Brazilian aerodrome. We tested three grass heights and mowing treatments: HF (Tall grass and high frequency mowing), LI (Low grass and infrequent mowing) and LF (low grass and frequent mowing). All analyses were done separately for the species presenting the greatest potential hazard: Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis, Southern Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus), and the collective data of other hazardous bird species. Bird species abundance was compared by GLMM based on two factors: (1) grass height treatment, and (2) mowing/no mowing activities. Our results confirm that grass height at >30 cm is effective to deter the presence of some species of hazardous birds on this airfield. Grass height management strategies should be investigated and conducted at different sites, however, tropical airports can benefit from the results of this study and test whether this height is also appropriate for local species risk management. Nevertheless, for grass management to effectively work in airport settings, this strategy must be fully integrated into airport operations and planning activities.