Habitat Selection in Birds: The Roles of Vegetation Structure, Competitors, and Productivity

BioScience ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Cody
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Vegetation Structure

scholarly journals Specialization directs habitat selection responses to a top predator in semiaquatic but not aquatic taxa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Šigutová ◽  
Filip Harabiš ◽  
Martin Šigut ◽  
Jiří Vojar ◽  
Lukáš Choleva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Top Predator ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Selection Responses ◽  
Floating Macrophytes

AbstractHabitat selectivity has become an increasingly acknowledged mechanism shaping the structure of freshwater communities; however, most studies have focused on the effect of predators and competitors, neglecting habitat complexity and specialization. In this study, we examined the habitat selection of semiaquatic (amphibians: Bufonidae; odonates: Libellulidae) and aquatic organisms (true bugs: Notonectidae; diving beetles: Dytiscidae). From each family, we selected one habitat generalist species able to coexist with fish (Bufo bufo, Sympetrum sanguineum, Notonecta glauca, Dytiscus marginalis) and one species specialized in fishless habitats (Bufotes viridis, Sympetrum danae, Notonecta obliqua, Acilius sulcatus). In a mesocosm experiment, we quantified habitat selection decisions in response to the non-consumptive presence of fish (Carassius auratus) and vegetation structure mimicking different successional stages of aquatic habitats (no macrophytes; submerged and floating macrophytes; submerged, floating, and littoral-emergent macrophytes). No congruence between habitat specialists and generalists was observed, but a similar response to fish and vegetation structure defined both semiaquatic and aquatic organisms. While semiaquatic generalists did not distinguish between fish and fishless pools, specialists avoided fish-occupied pools and had a preferred vegetation structure. In aquatic taxa, predator presence affected habitat selection only in combination with vegetation structure, and all species preferred fishless pools with floating and submerged macrophytes. Fish presence triggered avoidance only in the generalist bug N. glauca. Our results highlight the significance of habitat selectivity for structuring freshwater ecosystems and illustrate how habitat selection responses to a top predator are dictated by specialization and life history.

scholarly journals Habitat selection by Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) is affected by vegetation structure but not by location of Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) prey

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-230
Author(s):  
William D. Halliday ◽  
Gabriel Blouin-Demers
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Leopard Frog ◽  
Thamnophis Sirtalis ◽  
Lithobates Pipiens ◽  
Northern Leopard Frog ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Leopard Frogs ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Selection Of

Understanding the factors affecting habitat selection of species is important for effective management and for conservation because habitat selection affects fitness. We tested the competing, but not mutually exclusive, hypotheses that habitat selection of Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) at a fine spatial scale is driven by vegetation structure or by Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) prey abundance. We conducted surveys for snakes and frogs in six, 1-ha study grids in eastern Ontario in 2014 and 2015. Common Gartersnakes used areas dominated by forbs more than expected based on availability, and used grassy areas less than expected based on availability. Gartersnakes showed no preference for sites with more frogs. Thus, vegetation structure is important in habitat selection of Common Gartersnakes, but Northern Leopard Frog abundance is not. Common Gartersnakes and Northern Leopard Frogs did have a preference for forbs, but gartersnakes do not appear to be using habitat specifically based on frog abundance at a fine scale. Future work should study habitat use by snakes over a longer period to account for high variability in frog abundance and for temporal changes in habitat structure. Future work should also examine the distribution of other prey items in relation to the distribution of snakes.

scholarly journals Habitat selection by owls in a seasonal semi-deciduous forest in southern Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Menq ◽  
L. Anjos
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Hollow Trees ◽  
Glaucidium Brasilianum ◽  
Biological Reserve

Abstract This paper tested the hypothesis that the structural components of vegetation have impact over the distribution of owl species in a fragment of a semi-deciduous seasonal forest. This paper also determined which vegetation variables contributed to the spatial distribution of owl species. It was developed in the Perobas Biological Reserve (PBR) between September and December 2011. To conduct the owl census, a playback technique was applied at hearing points distributed to cover different vegetation types in the study area. A total of 56 individual owls of six species were recorded: Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba), Black-capped Screech-Owl (Megascops atricapilla), Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana), Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum), Mottled Owl (Strix virgata) and Stygian Owl (Asio stygius). The results suggest that the variables of vegetation structure have impact on the occurrence of owls. The canopy height, the presence of hollow trees, fallen trees and glades are the most important structural components influencing owl distribution in the sampled area.

Crop vegetation structure is more important than crop type in determining where Lesser Kestrels forage

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
CARLOS RODRÍGUEZ ◽  
LUIS TAPIA ◽  
EMANUEL RIBEIRO ◽  
JAVIER BUSTAMANTE
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Lesser Kestrel

SummaryWe studied foraging habitat selection by Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni throughout the breeding period in south-west Spain by means of transects on which foraging observations were recorded. We focused on the effects of habitat and crop type, but also on the effect of vegetation structure and the presence of agricultural activities in the field on Lesser Kestrel use. We considered both the accumulated use of the foraging area during the breeding season and the instantaneous foraging habitat selection by kestrels. Foraging habitat selection was highly dynamic following crop development and agricultural activities. Almost all major arable crop types showed positive selection during some part of the breeding cycle. Accumulated use by kestrels demonstrated positive associations with wheat and cotton fields and negative selection of permanent habitat types, such as forested areas, woody crops and built-up areas that have no prey or are not used by the species due to unfavourable structure. Vegetation structure appears to play a major role in instantaneous foraging selection. Lesser Kestrels select fields with short vegetation and intermediate cover. They also forage on field margins and where agricultural activities such as ploughing or harvesting that facilitate access to prey are being conducted. Our results help to clarify apparent controversies among previous studies on the subject, highlighting the importance of the heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes around colonies (crops at different growth stages which provide variable vegetation height and cover during the breeding cycle) and the effect that agricultural activities have on facilitating access to prey. Beyond the species-specific approach, our work encourages further studies on habitat selection by farmland birds to account not only for human-based categorisation of habitats (e.g. crop type) but also on objective measures such as vegetation height and cover that influence access to prey and better reflect the high dynamism of agricultural landscapes.

Does food-searching ability determine habitat selection? Foraging in sand of three species of gerbilline rodents

Ecography ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris R. Krasnov ◽  
Georgy I. Shenbrot ◽  
Luis E. Rios ◽  
Maria E. Lizurume
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Searching Ability

Analisis Keragaman Tanaman Sebagai Jasa Lingkungan Pada Lanskap Agroforestri di Daerah Aliran Sungai Krueng Aceh

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulkifli Aiyub Kadir ◽  
Bahagia Bahagia
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Middle Stream ◽  
Land Management System ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Aleurites Moluccana ◽  
Lansium Domesticum ◽  
Agroforestry Practices

<p>Humans have utilized landscape for  produces a diverse character of the wider area of the watershed. Agroforestry is a land management system in addressing the problems that arise due to changes in land use of soil and water conservation. The aim of the study was to analyze plant diversity in agroforestry practices that have services in the Krueng watershed landscape in Aceh watershed. Develop strategies in the Krueng Aceh DAS agroforestry service. This research was conducted in the upper, middle and downstream of the Krueng Aceh watershed, with a rapid method of Agro-Biodiversity Appraisal and SWOT. The results showed that the composition of the vegetation structure found in the study sites tended to vary with the diversity index of agroforestry that was currently in the upstream and middle of the Krueng Aceh watershed. Based on SWOT analysis, internal scores are 2.45 and external scores are 3.21. Agroforestry practices in the upper stream of Krueng Aceh watershed were dominated by <em>Aleurites moluccana</em>, <em>Areca cathecu</em>, and  <em>Averrhoa bilimbi</em> L  species with the highest INP in the upper stream of Krueng Aceh watershed. Vegetation at the middle stream of Krueng Aceh watershed dominated by <em>Areca cathecu,</em> <em>Lansium domesticum</em> and Musa<em> paradisiaca</em>.  </p>

The Vegetation Structure of Evergreen Coniferous Forests of Daehuksan Island in the Dadohaehaesang National Park

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeongjun Cho ◽  
Hasong Kim ◽  
Hyeonho Myeong ◽  
Jungwon Park ◽  
Janggeun Oh
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
National Park ◽  
Coniferous Forests
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