上海崇明东滩震旦鸦雀冬季种群栖息地的生境选择

2008年11月-2009年3月,在崇明东滩对震旦鸦雀(Paradoxornis heudei)种群生态进行调查研究,并对震旦鸦雀种群和生境因子的相关性进行分析。运用单因素方差对互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)入侵和芦苇(Phragmites australis)收割造成的芦苇滩涂变化进行分析,并运用多元回归的方法对震旦鸦雀种群的密度和分布以及相关环境因子进行生境选择分析。结果表明,崇明东滩震旦鸦雀种群的密度为(5.08±3.11)只/hm2;震旦鸦雀种群的密度和芦苇直径呈极显著正相关,震旦鸦雀种群的分布和芦苇的高度、密度呈极显著正相关,和食物资源量呈显著正相关;互花米草和震旦鸦雀种群的密度和分布呈显著负相关;互花米草入侵和芦苇收割降低了震旦鸦雀越冬期的栖息地质量,保留一部分生长质量较好的芦苇可以缓解震旦鸦雀冬季种群的生存压力。     

芦苇收割对震旦鸦雀觅食活动的影响

芦苇(Phragmites australis)湿地具有重要的社会经济价值和特殊的自然保育意义,芦苇收割是芦苇湿地管理的主要手段,往往对栖息于芦苇湿地中的动物群落产生影响,尤其对专食芦苇昆虫的鸟类影响较大。2007年1～4月,在长江口崇明岛崇西湿地科学实验站研究基地芦苇收割前后通过样方法研究了芦苇收割对震旦鸦雀(Paradoxornis heudei)觅食的影响。研究表明,芦苇收割显著减少了震旦鸦雀潜在食物资源,改变了震旦鸦雀觅食分布并使震旦鸦雀提前转移到新生芦苇枝上取食,芦苇收割后残留老芦苇枝对震旦鸦雀取食具有重要影响。芦苇收割时保留一定的斑块状和条带状老芦苇有利于震旦鸦雀利用新芦苇枝上潜在食物资源,可以在一定程度上缓解芦苇收割引起的震旦鸦雀食物短缺。     

不同生境和季节社鼠与大林姬鼠的微生境选择比较

微生境选择分化是生境相似的物种间共存的重要原因。社鼠和大林姬鼠为北京东灵山地区常见鼠种,生境需求、活动节律及食物组成等相似,但二者共存的原因尚不清楚。2016—2017年,我们对北京东灵山地区社鼠和大林姬鼠的微生境选择进行了研究。不同季节和生境类型中,社鼠和大林姬鼠微生境选择存在明显分化。灌丛生境中,春季社鼠偏好于乔木密度、草本盖度更高和落叶盖度相对偏低的微生境,而大林姬鼠选择郁闭度、落叶盖度较高而草本盖度较低的微生境;主成分分析表明,地表覆盖物是影响二者微生境选择的主要因素;秋季社鼠喜好乔木种类多、灌木密度和草本盖度更高的微生境,而大林姬鼠选择乔木胸径、灌木距离、落叶盖度和空地比例更高的微生境,食物丰富度是影响社鼠和大林姬鼠微生境选择的主要因素。弃耕地生境中,春季社鼠倾向于灌木密度和草本盖度较高的微生境,而大林姬鼠首选郁闭度、乔木胸径、落叶盖度较大而草本盖度较低的微生境,地表覆盖物是影响二者微生境选择的主要因素;秋季社鼠偏好郁闭度和落叶盖度都相对较低的微生境,大林姬鼠则相反,食物多度是影响二者微生境选择的主要因素。次生林生境中,春季因样本量太少,未作分析;秋季社鼠优先选择灌木密度、灌木基径和草本盖度更高的微生境,大林姬鼠更倾向乔木胸径、落叶盖度较高,而灌木密度、草本盖度较低的微生境,地表覆盖物是影响二者微生境选择的主要因素。结果表明,不同生境和季节,两种鼠的微生境选择具有明显分化,这可能是二者共存的重要原因之一。     

陕西红碱淖同域分布遗鸥与棕头鸥巢址选择比较

2009—2011年4—7月在陕西红碱淖对同域分布的遗鸥和棕头鸥巢参数特征、巢群空间分布和巢址生境选择进行了对比分析。结果表明:巢外径、巢深、巢高等参数均存在显著差异,这主要是与营巢生境和巢址空间分布上有关;从巢群空间分布上来看,两者均选择于湖心岛上营巢繁殖,巢群呈斑块状分布,但彼此没有混巢现象,有时甚至通过压缩种间巢间距来达到共存,由于遗鸥繁殖群体数量占优势,遗鸥总是占据最佳的巢域,棕头鸥巢群通常被排挤至湖心岛边缘部分;在巢址生境选择上,植被类型、植被高度、植被盖度、巢离水面高度和巢距最近水边距离均存在显著差异。这表明两者巢址生境选择上具有特异性,这种特异性使得巢址生境选择上存在生态位差异,促成了遗鸥和棕头鸥能在同一湖心岛上营巢繁殖因素之一。     

大庆龙凤湿地绿头鸭巢址选择

为了了解大庆龙凤湿地优势物种绿头鸭(Anas platyrhynchos)营巢的主要环境因素,于2016年5—7月,采用直接观察法和样方法在龙凤湿地自然保护区内对绿头鸭的巢区进行调查研究。通过对38个绿头鸭巢的常规参数测量以及巢区与附近无巢区生境的比对发现,绿头鸭巢址选择具有一定的特异性和非随机性,选择的主要因素依次为植被密度、植被高度、植被盖度、裸地比例、干草比例,这些因素决定了巢址的隐蔽度,说明绿头鸭更喜欢隐蔽度较大、草本植物盖度较大和距公路较远的生境,而隐蔽性成为绿头鸭巢址选择的最重要因子。     

贵州草海国家级自然保护区小??巢址生境选择

为探究高寒湿地生态系统中小??Tachybaptus ruficollis巢址选择的影响因子,于2013年和2015年的4月29日—5月6日2次对贵州草海国家级自然保护区内的小??巢址和食物进行了调查。设置A区和B区,其中又划分为巢址斑块和对照斑块。以巢址为中心,记录巢址样方(1 m×1 m)和对照样方的生境因子并进行比较。结果表明:巢址样方的最高植物高度和离岸距离均显著大于对照样方。对巢址样方及其所在斑块共14个生境因子的特征进行主成分分析,结果表明:小??偏爱在植被植株较高、密度稀疏、矮小植株数量少的小斑块生境中营巢。食物丰富的区域小??巢穴数量多。该研究对小??物种保护有实践意义,对丰富高寒湿地生态系统鸟类巢址生境选择有理论意义。     

丹顶鹤多尺度生境选择机制——以黄河三角洲自然保护区为例

生境在鸟类生活史中发挥着重要的作用,关系到鸟类的生存和繁衍。由于鸟类对环境变化的响应发生在等级序列空间尺度上,基于多尺度的研究更能深入刻画鸟类-环境之间关系。以丹顶鹤(Grus japonensis)为研究对象,以其迁徙和越冬的重要地区-黄河三角洲自然保护区为研究区域,应用等级方差分解法和等级划分法,分析丹顶鹤与微生境、斑块、景观尺度因子之间的关系,探求丹顶鹤生境选择的主要影响因素和尺度。等级方差分解结果表明,在第1等级水平,景观尺度因子与微生境、斑块尺度因子之间的联合效应大于独立效应,景观尺度因子的独立效应大于微生境和斑块尺度因子;在第2等级水平,景观尺度上的景观组成因子重要性大于景观结构因子,微生境尺度上的植被和水分因子为重要影响因素。等级划分结果表明,景观尺度上,翅碱蓬滩涂、水体面积大小是主要影响因素;微生境尺度上,植被盖度和水深为主要限制因子;在斑块尺度上,斑块类型对丹顶鹤生境选择最为重要。研究认为,在黄河三角洲自然保护区,景观尺度是影响丹顶鹤生境选择的主要尺度,景观尺度因子通过与微生境和斑块尺度因子的独立和联合作用制约着丹顶鹤在保护区的生境选择和空间分布格局。建议加强对翅碱蓬滩涂、芦苇沼泽、水体等湿地生境的保护和管理,规范和控制保护区内人类活动强度。     

蓝冠噪鹛繁殖期生境选择特征分析

2013年至2015年每年4—7月,在江西婺源境内对蓝冠噪鹛繁殖小群进行调查。观察并测量其繁殖地斑块海拔,距山地、水源及干扰源的距离,计算斑块面积、周长及形状指数,并在每个繁殖斑块的4个方向5km以外选取同样植被类型的对照斑块,比较繁殖斑块与对照斑块在以上7个因子的差异。结果表明繁殖斑块海拔,距山地距离和距干扰距离显著小于对照斑块。说明在斑块尺度上,蓝冠噪鹛繁殖期倾向于选择低海拔阔叶林,且在离山地更近的村庄附近繁殖,这可能与食物丰富和天敌较少有关。在微生境尺度,选择繁殖点B在巢区及同一片阔叶林中无噪鹛筑巢的对照区进行10个生态因子的测量,并用资源选择函数以及Vanderploeg和Scavia选择系数进行分析。资源选择函数结果表明草本密度、草本高度在微生境尺度对蓝冠噪鹛生境选择贡献最大;而Vanderploeg和Scavia选择系数结果表明蓝冠噪鹛喜在胸径较粗(40—80cm)的朴树、枫杨和枫香3种树上筑巢,筑巢偏好树高20m以上及草本盖度较高(60%—90%)的生境。综合两种分析结果,在微生境尺度蓝冠噪鹛对筑巢树种及高度具有选择性,对巢区隐蔽性有所要求,巢下草本情况可以反映昆虫等食物资源状况,说明蓝冠噪鹛繁殖期偏好在食物相对丰富的区域筑巢。     

扎龙保护区散养与野生丹顶鹤巢址选择比较

为了探讨扎龙保护区散养与野生丹顶鹤(Grus japonensis)巢址选择的异同,2009年3～5月在扎龙国家级自然保护区内用生境因子测定法对散养丹顶鹤与野生丹顶鹤巢址选择进行比较。独立样本t-检验(independent-samples t-test)结果表明,散养丹顶鹤和野生丹顶鹤在巢址选择中,植被高度、植被密度、巢周围苇丛面积及巢距人为干扰地距离均存在着显著差异。说明野生丹顶鹤对巢址选择具有严格要求,倾向于选择人为活动较少,植被高度较高,植被密度和巢周围苇丛面积较大的生境中筑巢;散养丹顶鹤对生境要求不高。     

黑龙江扎龙自然保护区白枕鹤巢址选择特征

为了探讨白枕鹤Grusvipio的巢址选择特征,2007～2009年的4～5月,在黑龙江省扎龙自然保护区采用定点观察法、样方调查法、因子调查法和因子分析及显著性检验等,对白枕鹤的营巢生境类型和营巢生境特征进行了调查。结果表明,白枕鹤对营巢生境类型的要求比较单一,仅选择芦苇沼泽;巢址生境特征具有明显的偏好,即(1)距干扰区的距离多在1.5km以上(86.36%),(2)巢周的水深多小于16cm(95.45%),(3)巢周明水面面积多小于200m2(90.90%),(4)巢距火烧地的距离以1.0～2.5km居多(63.64%),(5)剩余苇丛面积多小于200m2(86.37%)、距剩余苇丛距离多大于30m(81.82%)、剩余苇丛密度多小于500株/m2(77.27%)、剩余苇丛高度以大于1.5m的居多(72.73%)。进一步分析表明,白枕鹤对营巢生境特征的要求具有普遍性和特殊性,表现出一定的适应能力,火烧地、剩余苇丛、干扰区和水是其营巢的主要环境特征。     

Management of reedbeds: mosaic reed cutting does not affect prey abundance and nest predation rate of reed passerine birds

Reed passerine birds are strict habitat specialists inhabiting reedbed habitats. In Europe, many of these species are threatened due to loss and degradation of natural reedbeds. Another important factor that can negatively affect the abundance of reed passerines is commercial reed harvesting. Previous studies have shown negative impacts of large-scale winter reed cutting on passerine breeding assemblages and arthropod communities. The effect of reed cutting on a small scale, however, has not been studied experimentally to date. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how small-scale, mosaic reed cutting influences prey abundance and nest predation rate of reed passerines. In June, after the reed had reached maturity, we conducted nest predation experiments with artificial nests and arthropod sampling using pan traps in cut reed patches, adjacent uncut reed patches and unmanaged reedbed. We found no differences in the risk of egg predation between three types of reedbeds. In contrast, the abundance of arthropods in cut and adjacent uncut reed patches was significantly higher than that in unmanaged reedbed. We assume this was caused by habitat heterogeneity, small size of cut patches and their rapid recolonization by arthropods from adjacent uncut patches. Our results suggest that in contrast to large-scale reed cutting, small-scale, mosaic reed cutting has no negative effect on nest survival and food abundance of reed passerine birds. However, given that we performed all experiments in June, i.e., when the reed was mature, our findings cannot be generalized to whole breeding period of all reed passerine birds. Therefore, temporal variation in nest predation rate and arthropod abundance in managed and unmanaged reedbeds during the entire breeding season should be examined in future studies.     

Philopatry, Dispersal Patterns and Nest-site Reuse in Lesser Grey Shrikes (Lanius minor)

To nest in the same breeding area, territory or even nest-site in successive years may provide a possibility to look at mechanisms involved in breeding habitat selection and could also be an important tool for conservation, management and restoration attempts. In this study we examine site fidelity towards the breeding area as well as the nesting site in a dense and stable population of the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor, a long-distance migrant and highly endangered passerine species, at its present northern border of its breeding range. Overall we recovered 48 out of 146 (32.8%) adults between 1996 and 2000. Recovery rate is significantly higher for males (31 of 77, 40.25%) than for females (17 of 69, 24.6%). Recovery rate of nestlings is much lower since only 51 of 790 (6.5%) were recovered and there is no significant sex difference. Furthermore, our results from 1989 to 2000 revealed that more than 30% (97/319) of the nests were built in the same nest tree in successive years and more than half (183/319 = 57.4%) of the nests in the same or neighboring trees (up to 20 m), but very seldom by the same individuals. The fact that nest reuse in successive years is almost exclusively done by different individuals suggests habitat copying and public information of individual birds. Due to optimal ecological breeding conditions other parameters like inbreeding avoidance or increased genetic variability could be important factors in nest-site selection strategies and consequently result in a “disperse over stay strategy”.     

Testing the importance of individual nest-site selection for a social and group-living vulture

Nest-site selection by species is expected to be adaptive and lead to improved breeding productivity, but in some settings, there exist mismatches between preferred nesting habitat and breeding productivity. We tested the expectation that nest-site selection is adaptive in a sample of 63 nests of a long-lived social species that breeds and forages in groups: the critically endangered white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus). By studying breeding groups in the same area, we controlled for landscape-level effects on habitat selection and investigated how fine-scale nest-site characteristics affect breeding productivity. We developed models to assess how nine characteristics of nest sites selected by breeding vultures compared with 70 random trees and tested associations between these characteristics and breeding productivity. White-backed vultures selected nest sites in taller trees (>7 m), but neither tree height nor any other nest-site characteristics had a clear effect on breeding productivity. Vultures selected nest trees closer to each other than random trees, and the associations between nest density, nearest neighbour distance and breeding success were all positive. These positive associations and the absence of an observable effect between nest-site characteristics and breeding productivity suggest that for this semi-colonial breeder, the social imperative of proximity to conspecifics (i.e., nesting near other vultures and group foraging) may be more important than individual nest-site selection.     

Importance of communal foraging grounds outside the reed marsh for breeding great reed warblers

Foraging habitat selection of breeding great reed warblers was studied at a shore of Lake Biwa. The foraging grounds of parent warblers during the nesting period were not restricted to the breeding territory of the reed marsh, their nestling habitat. The paddy field outside the reed marsh was used communally by them throughout the breeding season. Females with early stage nestlings did not visit the paddy field whereas when nestlings were older than 3 days, more than half of their total food was collected there. Females with nests adjacent to the paddy field tended to exploit the paddy field more often than those with nests distant from it. Monogamously mated females tended to exploit the paddy field more often than polygynously mated females. Food collected in the paddy field was larger than that in the reed marsh and parent birds were prepared to travel longer distances to exploit the rich source of food in the paddy field. The importance of the communal foraging ground outside the reed marsh as a background of the polygynous mating system of this species is discussed.     

The role of body size in nest-site selection by secondary cavity-nesting birds in a subtropical Chaco forest

Most bird species that nest in tree cavities globally occur in diverse assemblages in little-studied tropical and subtropical forests which have high rates of habitat loss. Conservation of these communities will require an understanding of how species traits, such as body size, influence nest-site selection. We examined patterns of nest-site selection of secondary cavity-nesting birds at the nest patch, tree and cavity scale, and investigated how these patterns are influenced by body size. Using conditional logistic regression, we compared characteristics of 155 nest tree cavities paired with 155 unused tree cavities in quebracho Schinopsis balansae forests in Chaco National Park, Argentina (2016–2018). The odds of a cavity being used for nesting increased with its depth and height above ground, decreased with entrance size, and were greater for dead trees than live. Small-bodied (13–90 g) species used floor diameters in proportion to availability, but medium- (150–200 g) and large-bodied (400–700 g) species selected cavities with larger floors. Model selection indicated that characteristics at the nest patch scale (canopy cover, tree density) had little effect on nest-site selection when cavity-scale variables were included. Cavity floor diameter, entrance size, cavity height and tree diameter (but not cavity depth) increased with body mass, and larger bird species more often used live trees. Two tree species proved to be key for the community: large and medium-sized birds used almost exclusively large live Schinopsis balansae, whereas small birds used live and dead Prosopis spp. in a proportion greater than its availability. Small birds could be differentiated according to species-specific cavity characteristics, but medium and large species overlapped considerably with one another. Although body mass explained much of the overall variation in tree and cavity characteristics between small and medium/large species, several small-bodied species consistently used cavities outside of the expected characteristics for their body size, suggesting that other natural history traits may play important roles in nest-site selection by small-bodied birds. To retain the full suite of secondary cavity-nesters in species-rich tropical and subtropical forests, it is necessary to conserve a diversity of trees and cavities that meet the full range of nesting requirements of these trait-diverse communities.     

The importance of pre-thicket conifer plantations for nesting Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus in Ireland

Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus are threatened across much of their range and their conservation requires appropriate habitat management. The locations of 148 Hen Harrier nests found in the Republic of Ireland during national breeding surveys in 2000 and 2005 were used to assess nest-site selection. The distribution of these nests was compared to distributions of randomly located points to investigate selection at the scale of the nest-site and landscape. The main nesting habitats selected were pre-thicket stage of first and, particularly, second rotation plantations, mostly of exotic conifers. There was no evidence that the area of post-closure plantations negatively affected Hen Harrier nest distribution. There was a positive correlation across study areas between changes in numbers of Hen Harrier nests between 2000 and 2005 and changes in the area of pre-thicket second rotation plantations over the same period. The overall effect of plantation forests on breeding Hen Harriers in Ireland therefore appears to be positive. However, this study did not consider the effects of plantation habitats on breeding success. Improved grassland was strongly avoided as a nesting habitat. Furthermore, after controlling for the influence of nesting habitat on nest location, landscapes with a high percentage cover of improved grassland were also avoided. Further agricultural intensification of grassland in areas where Hen Harriers breed is likely to have a negative impact on this species. These results are required for the development of management strategies for the conservation of this species.     

Nest-site selection and predation in Savi's Warblers Locustella luscinioides

Capsule Savi's Warblers preferred sites dominated by high and dense Juncus and Rubus with thick litter, and avoided pure reeds; predation was higher in sites with less litter.

Aim To describe nest-site selection and identify which habitat and nest features influence predation risk.

Methods Comparisons were made between habitat characteristics measured at nest-sites and random points, and between predated and successful nests.

Results Total vegetation cover, litter thickness, habitat type, undergrowth height and undergrowth cover, which were higher or denser at nest-sites, were the most important variables influencing the distribution of Savi's Warbler nests. Nests were most often predated in sites with low litter thickness.

Conclusion Savi's Warblers are dependent on the presence of dense low vegetation and litter for nesting, which should be maintained close to or within reed-beds for their benefit.     

Nesting habitat and nest features of Water Rails Rallus aquaticus and Little Crakes Zapornia parva on large wetlands

ABSTRACT

Capsule: In large and medium wetlands with extended reed beds Phragmites and cattail Typha dominated areas, Water Rails Rallus aquaticus and Little Crakes Zapornia parva show higher differences in nesting sites in contrast with other populations from small and fragmented wetlands, where the ranges of values for environmental variables at nesting sites overlap greatly.

Aims: To investigate the nesting sites and nesting habitats of both species to a fine scale, on medium and large wetlands, to evaluate the potential overlapping of nesting habitat and to compare data with those obtained in small wetlands.

Methods: In the study area, the Fize? Basin, Romania, 17 wetlands, ponds and reed beds ranging from 11.78 to 252.68 ha were investigated. The species were present on 4 wetlands, which were subsequently surveyed for nests. Between April and August 2010–2012, a total of 83 Water Rail and 46 Little Crake nests were found, measured and analysed in terms of nesting habitat and nest features.

Results: Principal component analyses suggest no overlap in nest site selection and a partial overlap in the nest features. An analysis of similarity confirmed significant nest structural differences. A discriminant function analysis highlights the main factors dividing the nest features of both species being: water depth and distance between the nest and a water surface. Little Crakes build their nests in cattail Typha sloped clumps, while Water Rails build their nests near reed Phragmites strains.

Conclusion: In large and medium wetlands, Water Rails nest deep in the reed bed rather than in other types of habitats, contrary to what has been reported for small ponds areas. Little Crakes nest in cattail independently of the size of the wetland where they occur.     

Experiments with artificial nests on predation in reed habitats

We performed nest predation experiments with artificial nests in reedbeds investigating whether nest predation pressure is different at the water-reed edge and the grassland-reed edge compared with the reed interior. Furthermore, we tested the effects of vegetation structure (reed density, height and thickness) and the effect of other nest site characteristics (distance from edge, water depth) on the success of artificial nests. The experiments were completed 3 times during the breeding season in 2001 at Lake Neusiedl, Austria. Each artificial nest resembled Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) nests and contained one plasticine and one Quail (Coturnix coturnix) egg and the predators were identified by marks left on the eggs. The potential predators were birds, probably the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), gulls (Larus spp.) and reed warblers (Acrocephalus spp.). Nest survival data were analysed using the Mayfield method, and we performed a discriminant analysis for the data of vegetation and nest site characteristics. The nest predation was higher at the edges than in the reed interior, and was most pronounced in April, before the new reed sprouted. The reason for this finding was probably that after May the new reed contributed to greater concealment of the nests through the higher reed density and height.     

Salt marsh elevation is a strong determinant of nest‐site selection by Clapper Rails in Georgia,USA

As sea levels rise, birds nesting in coastal marshes will be particularly vulnerable to increased tidal inundation. Understanding how marsh birds select their nesting habitat along the elevational gradient of these marshes will provide insight into how these species might be affected by rising sea levels. Clapper Rails (Rallus crepitans) are coastal marsh‐nesting birds whose nests are vulnerable to flooding, but it is not clear if they select for habitat along the elevational gradient or only use other habitat cues. Our objective was to determine if Clapper Rails select higher‐elevation nest sites, while also controlling for selection of other habitat variables at both landscape and territory levels, by comparing nest habitat to habitat in other areas of territories and at random points in the marsh landscape. At the landscape level, Clapper Rails did not exhibit selection for the elevational gradient, with nests and random points at similar elevations. At the territory level, however, nest‐site selection was most influenced by elevation and plant height, with Clapper Rails selecting nest sites with higher elevations and in areas with taller plants. However, the strength of the elevation effect was uncertain, suggesting the importance of precise elevation measurements in the field. Given this selection for higher‐elevation nest sites, Clapper Rails may be somewhat resilient to increased tidal inundation. However, the potential for increased intra‐ and interspecific competition for high‐elevation marshes should make conservation of these habitats a priority.