scholarly journals Disentangling the Roles of Topography, Patch, and Land Use on Conservation Trait Status of Specialist Birds in Marginal Forest Land Use Types

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Petr Zasadil ◽  
Dušan Romportl ◽  
Jakub Horák
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Environmental Predictors ◽  
Patch Configuration ◽  
Marginal Forest ◽  
Fruit Orchards

One of the main questions in ecology and conservation is how organisms are governed and affected by their traits within the context of abiotic gradients. The main question of our study addresses how patch, topography, and land use influence conservation trait status (rarity and red-list index) of birds generally, and of farmland and woodland specialists specifically, in marginal forest landscape types. We sampled birds from 68 traditional fruit orchards existing as remnants of agroforestry within the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic during two consecutive years. We recorded 57 bird species, of which 31 species were forest dwellers and 16 farmland dwellers. Topographical predictors played the most significant role in influencing traits of the bird community as a whole. Farmland bird traits indicated the most balanced values, as they were significantly influenced by all studied predictor sets. Their responses nevertheless differed among the studied traits and also showed a more complex pattern because the values of interaction between some predictor categories were relatively high. Traits of woodland birds were most influenced by the patch configuration. We found that a structurally diversified marginal habitat type of traditional fruit orchards is able to promote a number of specialist species and also reveals important relationships between bird conservation traits and different predictor sets. Researchers should pay more attention to the conservation traits of birds and their interactions with environmental predictors. Furthermore, conservationists should be more attentive to the biodiversity value and sustainable management of traditional fruit orchards.

scholarly journals The frequency method in studying habitat preferences of common forest birds

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawid Jan Sikora
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Average Frequency ◽  
Occurrence Frequency ◽  
Frequency Method ◽  
Black Alder ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Bird Census

This paper presents the results of a study on the habitat preferences of selected species of the bird community in the Morgi Forest, the Kolbuszowa Forest Division (SE Poland), with the use of the point-stand bird census method. The aim of the study was to test the effectiveness of the method in determining the frequency of colonisation of stands with different habitat parameters by the most abundant bird species. In 270 tree stands of a forest complex with diverse habitats, a bird census was carried out with four counts per each stand. Next, a list of the tree stands and the bird species recorded in the stands was compiled. The stands were divided into categories according to the forest habitat type, dominant species and age class. In the next step, the occurrence frequency of the most abundant bird species was calculated for each stand category. Among the analysed species, the majority showed a positive correlation between the frequency of occurrence and habitat fertility. The influence of the dominant stand species on the occurrence frequency of bird species was largely driven by habitat fertility. The lowest average frequency of the identified avian species was found in stands dominated by pine Pinus sylvestris, birch Betula sp. and black alder Alnus glutinosa. There was generally a positive relationship between age class and the bird community parameters. It is concluded that the point-stand method of bird census provides informative results for research on the habitat selectivity of bird populations.

scholarly journals Dominance and Diversity of Bird Community in Floodplain Forest Ecosystem

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 825-833
Author(s):  
Karel Poprach ◽  
Jana Vrbková
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Floodplain Forest ◽  
Community Interest

The paper is aimed to assessment of diversity and structure of bird community in floodplain forest ecosystem. Authors present results of analyses data on bird communities obtained at two transects in the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area (Czech Republic) in the period 1998–2012. Research of bird communities was carried out using the point-count method. The article deals with qualitative and quantitative representation of breeding bird species, including their relation to habitat type (closed floodplain forest, ecotone). Altogether 63 breeding species were recorded at the Vrapač transect and 67 at the Litovelské luhy transect, respectively. To be able to detect all recorded species, 11 out of 14 years of monitoring were needed at the Vrapač transect and all 8 years of monitoring at the Litovelské luhy transect, respectively. Authors show that the values in dominant bird species change significantly among the particular census dates within one season, mainly with respect to their activity and detectability. Results are discussed in the frame of sustainable forest management in floodplain forest ecosystems. The presented article can promote to discussion aimed to management strategy for floodplain forest ecosystems, which ranks among natural habitat types of Community interest protected under the Natura 2000 European network.

scholarly journals Avifaunal characterization of Corral de Piedra Palustrine Wetland, Nicoya, Costa Rica

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Vargas-Masis ◽  
Lilliana Piedra-Castro ◽  
Juan Bravo-Chacón
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Resident Species ◽  
Bird Richness

Wetlands maintain high biodiversity and provide important habitat for many bird species, but now have strong pressure from anthropogenic activities. Birds in wetlands are important indicators of environmental changes and our goal was to characterize the bird community in the wetlands Palustrine Corral de Piedra as a mechanism for conservation of tropical dry forest of Costa Rica. We used point counts to describe bird richness and abundance in open (lakes and flooded grasslands) and wooded areas. We described habitat use and microhabitats, trophic guilds, biogeographic distribution and status in Costa Rica. We recorded 83 species of resident birds belonging to 36 families, of which 65 are resident species and 18 have some migratory status in Costa Rica. Secondary consumer species of small vertebrates corresponded to 45,8% and primary consumers were 25,3%. The birds mainly used trees for perching but use emergent shrubs, floating vegetation and water. We found a large number of Egrets, Flycatchers and Hawks playing important roles as pollinators, seed dispersers and predator is adding significant value to the ecological dynamics of forests and lakes in the area. Corral de Piedra has special importance as a site for the establishment of migratory birds and large number of resident species of conservation concern. We consider that joint efforts between residents and researchers are an important tool for bird conservation in the region.

scholarly journals Conserving native trees increases native bird diversity and community composition on commercial office developments

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Dyson
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Tree Protection ◽  
Matrix Habitat ◽  
Site Use

Abstract In cities, woody vegetation provides critical shelter, nesting and foraging habitat for bird species of interest. Human actions—including development and landscaping choices—determine vegetation community composition and structure, making these choices critically important to urban bird conservation. A better understanding of how bird communities are impacted by parcel-scale actions can help guide policy and management best practices to improve matrix habitat quality and quantity. Here, I examined how bird habitat use varies along a vegetation gradient created by different development and landscaping choices. I surveyed 20 commercial office developments near Seattle in the Puget Trough region of Washington, USA selected using stratified random sampling, where I quantified bird communities and observed feeding behavior. I used GLMM and PERMANOVA models with data likelihood metrics to identify the best supported variables for bird site use, along with TITAN models to identify changes in community composition along environmental gradients. I found that measures of bird effective species richness and bird community are positively influenced by the presence of more native conifers, including the presence of a stand predating development and the height and density of native conifers. Measures of the native bird community are negatively influenced by higher non-native tree density. In contrast to prior research, top-down landscape-scale variables did not explain variation in measures of the bird community on office developments. Importantly, I found that birds are associated with the same habitat on office developments as observed elsewhere. Together, my findings suggest an important role for developers, land owners, landscape architects, and tree protection policy in bird conservation.

Bird community monitoring at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri: Status report 2008–2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Peitz ◽  
Naomi Reibold
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Central Hardwoods ◽  
Community Monitoring

Breeding bird surveys were initiated on Wilson’s Creek National Monument, Missouri, in 2008 to assess temporal changes in the species composition and abundance of birds on the park and to improve our understanding of relationships between breeding birds and their habitat and the effects of management actions, such as invasive plant species control and tree thinning, on bird populations. Birds were sampled using point counts with 38 variable circular plots located on a systematic grid of 400 x 400-m cells (originating from a random start point). All birds seen or heard on a plot during a 5-min sampling period were recorded. In the 13 years since initiating our breeding bird survey, birds were surveyed on as many of the 38 variable circular plots as possible each year, resulting in 444 cumulative plot visits. Surveys have yielded records for 119 different species of birds. Ninety-eight of the species recorded are classified as permanent or summer residents to the area, 18 are classified as transients in the area, and 3 as winter residents to the area. Eight breeding species recorded are considered species of conservation concern for the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region, the bird conservation region in which Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located. Of the 98 breeding species recorded, 12 species in grassland habitat and 15 in woodland habitat occurred in numbers large enough to calculate annual abundances with some degree of confidence. Trends in abundance were classified as uncertain for most species, which means that no significant increases or decreases occurred but it is not certain that trends were <5% per year. The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) population in grassland habitat was stable. The Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) and Eastern Wood-pewee (Contopus virens) populations in woodland habitat were in moderate decline. Comparing population trends on the park with regional trends for the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region suggests that the bird community at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is faring similarly to that of the region as a whole. Stable diversity, richness, and evenness values suggest that the park’s habitat has remained consistent in its ability to meet the requirements of many of the park’s breeding bird species. Any decline in species richness could reflect habitat management practices, but it could also reflect the influences of larger-scale factors such as weather or climatic conditions on vegetation. Therefore, continued monitoring of birds and their habitats on Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield as management and weather and climatic conditions change is essential for park management.

scholarly journals The forest avifauna of Arabuko Sokoke Forest and adjacent modified habitats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Chiawo ◽  
Wellington N. Kombe ◽  
Adrian J.F.K. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Coastal Forest ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Vegetation Heterogeneity

Arabuko Sokoke Forest (ASF) is the largest area of coastal forest remaining in East Africa and a major Important Bird Area in mainland Kenya. The study analysed data from point count surveys over 15 months in three land use types; primary forest (PF), plantation forest (PL), and farmlands (FM), and compared these to the first comprehensive bird checklist for the forest, as well as recent surveys from other studies.  Avifaunal diversity and abundance were compared using multivariate analysis to determine bird responses to different land use characteristics. The primary forest held a distinctive bird community, while the bird communities of farmlands and plantation forest were more similar to each other. Land use had a significant effect on overall avian diversity and abundance. The current forest avifauna was divided into forest specialists (16 species), forest generalists (26 species) and forest visitors (30 species).   Seven species of forest specialist and generalists recorded prior to 1980 may no longer occur in the forest.  Of 38 specialists and generalists recorded in our point counts, 19 were also recorded on farmland and 28 in plantations.  One forest specialist, the Green Barbet, was most encountered outside the forest.  Future research should focus on habitat use by these bird species, and the extent of movement by forest birds between the remaining patches of coastal forest. Patterns of habitat use by birds in the area suggest that vegetation heterogeneity and habitat complexity are especially significant in sustaining diverse and abundant bird populations. The management of plantations and farmland will be critical for the conservation of forest generalists and forest visitors.

scholarly journals Getting Our Heads Above Water: Integrating Bird Conservation in Planning, Science, and Restoration for a More Resilient Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Dybala ◽  
Tom Gardali ◽  
Ron Melcer
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Important Region ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Flyway ◽  
Diverse Community

The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is an important region for bird conservation in California, particularly as part of a large, productive estuary on the Pacific Flyway. The Delta currently provides habitat to an abundant, diverse community of birds, but it is likely only a small fraction of what the Delta’s bird community once was. Meeting the goal of restoring a healthy Delta ecosystem is legislatively required to include providing habitat for birds among the conservation goals and strategies in the Delta Plan, yet birds and their habitat needs are often not addressed in science syntheses, conservation planning, and large-scale restoration initiatives in the Delta. In this essay, the authors provide an avian perspective on the Delta, synthesizing recent scientific work to describe factors that contribute to the Delta’s current importance for birds, and the conservation needs of the diverse array of bird species that call the Delta home.

scholarly journals Study on Avi-fauna Diversity in Mangrove Area in Aceh Besar Post Tsunami 2004

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruskhanidar R ◽  
Muhammad Hambal
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Fragmented Habitat ◽  
Mangrove Area ◽  
Waterfowl Habitat ◽  
Survey Technique ◽  
Biodiversity Index ◽  
Mangrove Conservation

 The research was conducted after tsunami destroyed mangrove in Aceh Besar coastal area, whichserves as waterfowl habitat. This study was aimed to find out bird diversity and abundant after tsunamidisaster. The study was conducted in Kecamatan Mesjid Raya, Aceh Besar, focusing on bird biodiversityand its number based on habitat type, using count dot survey technique. The study revealed that as manyas eight waterfowl species from four families were found. The variety of bird species in the researchlocation was low, ie; 1.2196 for fish pond, 1.7257 for muddy land, and 1.2528 for vegetation area. The lowlevel of biodiversity indicated fragmented habitat in the mangrove area.Keywords: mangrove conservation, bird biodiversity index, bird conservation

Diversity of bird feeding guilds in relation to habitat heterogeneity and land-use cover in a human-modified landscape in southern Mexico

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esteban Pineda-Diez de Bonilla ◽  
Jorge L. León-Cortés ◽  
José Luis Rangel-Salazar
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Habitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Feeding Guilds ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Point Counts

Abstract:Habitat heterogeneity is an important ecological determinant of species richness. We evaluated the diversity within bird feeding guilds as related to habitat heterogeneity and land-use cover in a human-modified tropical landscape. To quantify this process, fine-scale bird census and habitat heterogeneity data were collected for a bird community in a 22.5-km2fragmented landscape in southern Mexico. Land-use cover data derived from field surveys were used to calculate habitat heterogeneity index values and the extent of each land-use cover type in 239 grid cells of 300 × 300 m. Bird diversity values were obtained based on 1195 point-counts in these cells. Product-moment correlations and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between bird-guild diversity values and habitat heterogeneity. A total of 109 resident bird species grouped in six feeding guilds were recorded: insectivores (42%), frugivores (21%), granivores (17%), nectarivores (9%), omnivores (8%) and carnivores (3%). Diversity values for the entire bird community were significantly positively related to habitat heterogeneity, but feeding guilds showed contrasting responses to habitat heterogeneity and the amount of land-use cover: insectivores and frugivores were more diverse and abundant in secondary forests than in any other land-cover. Our findings illustrate the importance of small landscape fragments as potential key refuges for the most diverse and specialized feeding guilds, such as granivores and insectivores.

scholarly journals A study of composition and diversity variation of avifauna along with different types of agroforestry system in Kibet town, Southern Ethiopia

2022 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussen Yasin ◽  
Wondimagegnehu Tekalign
Keyword(s):  
Diversity Index ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Ploceus Cucullatus

Abstract Background Agroforestry is an integrated land-use system that plays a great role in the conservation of landscape biodiversity. The study aimed to assess the composition and diversity of avian species along with different habitat types of agroforestry in Kibet Town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods Four habitat types of agroforestry system which are home gardens, live fences, parkland, and eucalyptus woodlot were identified. Line transects were used for bird surveys. The Shannon diversity index (H′) and species evenness index (E) were used to compare diversity among habitat types. A similarity percentages (SIMPER) test was carried out to identify the main species and feeding guild that typified each habitat type. The overall significance was assessed with the ANOSIM test using PAST (version 4.03). Results A total of 50 bird species belonging to 28 families and 10 orders were recorded. Order Passeriformes (67.3%) had the highest number of species. Bird community composition differed among habitat types. The dissimilarity was mainly due to White-browed robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini), Streaky seed-eater (Serinus striolatus), Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), African Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis), and Black-Headed Paradise Flycatcher (T. rufiventer). The finding also revealed that insectivore was the dominant feeding guild. Conclusions The present study shows evidence that more insectivore bird species use different types of agroforestry as habitat and foraging sites. So, any concerned bodies who have engaged in avian conservation should give special consideration to this modified landscape.

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