Diet and feeding behavior of Rhinopithecus bieti at Xiaochangdu, Tibet: adaptations to a marginal environment

The diet and feeding ecology of a wild subpopulation of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) were studied at Xiaochangdu in Honglaxueshan Nature Reserve, Tibet. This region is climatologically harsher than any other inhabited by non-human primates. Black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys fed on 48 parts of 25 plant species, at least three species of lichens and seven species of invertebrates. The number of food items exploited varied markedly among seasons, with dietary diversity being greatest in spring and summer. In winter, black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys had to subsist on fallback foods such as dried grass and bark. Ubiquitous lichens formed a major dietary constituent throughout the year, contributing about 75% of feeding records. Even though lichens act as a staple, our findings signify that the monkeys at Xiaochangdu prefer feeding on foliage, which is higher in protein content than the former. We provide evidence that black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys are able to cope with an array of food items other than lichens and hence can be regarded as feeding generalists. We discuss the results with reference to previous studies on other subpopulations living in habitats that are floristically more diverse and offer more plant food items than the marginal habitat at Xiaochangdu.     

传统文化和社会经济活动对生物保护的正面影响: 来自西藏黑白仰鼻猴的实例研究(英文)

黑白仰鼻猴(Rhinopithecus bieti)是仅存于滇西北和藏东南的横断山脉的濒危灵长类动物,目前仅有野外15群约2500只个体,并且西藏红拉雪山自然保护区的小昌都群也许是自1988年调查以来唯一数量保持稳定的种群。通过调查访问、以及分析社会经济数据中隐含的保护信息,该文通过实例研究探讨了传统文化和社会经济发展模式对红拉雪山自然保护区小昌都猴群的影响,试图探讨传统文化和人类活动对该猴群种群保持稳定的正面影响:1)研究结果表明传统的生产方式对黑白仰鼻猴的生境保护有益,例如主要依靠畜牧业和非木材的林产品而不是毁林开荒种植青稞;2)受印度教和佛教影响的藏传佛教对生灵的敬畏,避免当地村民对黑白仰鼻猴的猎杀;3)一妻多夫的大家庭,其人均资源消耗(特别是薪柴,建房木材等)明显比一夫一妻的小家庭少,这种婚俗也许可以缓解人类索取相应自然资源时对黑白仰鼻猴的生境破坏。因此,考虑到小昌都是唯一种群稳定的群,我们认为是当地的社会生产方式、宗教文化以及婚俗习惯让小昌都群长期维持在该生境的最大容纳量。     

西藏红拉雪山滇金丝猴的夜宿地与夜宿树选择

树栖灵长类动物要在夜宿地度过半生以上的时光,因此选择合适的夜宿地及夜宿树对其存活尤为关键。影响夜宿地以及夜宿树选择的主要因素是逃避天敌捕食,但对于栖息在温带森林的灵长类而言,还必须面对低 温以及食物缺乏等因素的影响。2003 年6 月至2005 年3 月,采用跟踪猴群,记录夜宿地并依据地面粪便颗粒数确定夜宿树,在西藏红拉雪山自然保护区对小昌都滇金丝猴的夜宿地及夜宿树进行了研究。结果表明:在主要 研究时间段196 d 夜宿地记录中猴群使用了101 个夜宿地,使用2 次以上的夜宿地有67 个,夜宿162 d。夜宿地全部位于针叶林中,冬季夜宿地主要分布在向阳、背风和低海拔处。比较重复利用夜宿次数多与夜宿次数少的树发现:夜宿多的树高大,底枝长,而与底枝高没有差异。比较夜宿和不过夜的树发现:夜宿树高大、底枝长。这些特点表明小昌都猴群夜宿地及夜宿树的选择可能受到逃避天敌和体温调节的影响。     

生境破碎化对黑白仰鼻猴种群数量的影响

从1999年4月至2002年6月间,对黑白仰鼻猴种群的分布和生境状况进行了调查。与十年前的调查结果相比,本次调查新发现了4个猴群,但有5个以前存在的猴群已经消失,现存种群数量为13个猴群,总体数量约为1200─1700只。从西藏的芒康到云龙的龙马山,随着海拔的降低,猴群可利用的植被类型也随之多样化。但由于砍伐、放牧、开矿等因素的影响,猴群的适宜生境破碎化程度较高,连接猴群的生境走廊状况通常较差,多数猴群孤立分布,并且存在小种群问题,生境走廊的维护和恢复已成为该物种保护成功与否的关键。种群的总体数量下降了32%,其中4个猴群数量下降,4个猴群持平,1个猴群有所增长,5个猴群消失,这不容乐观的状况给我们的保护工作敲响了警钟。     

Phylogeography and population structure of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) inferred from mitochondrial control region DNA sequence analysis

Rhinopithecus bieti, the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, is the nonhuman primate with the highest altitudinal distribution and is also one of the 25 most globally endangered primate species. Currently, R. bieti is found in forests between 3000 and 4500 m above sea level, within a narrow area on the Tibetan Plateau between the Yangtze and Mekong rivers, where it is suffering from loss of habitat and shrinking population size (approximately 1500). To assess the genetic diversity within this species, its population structure and to infer its evolutionary history, we sequenced 401 bp of the hypervariable I (HVI) segment from the mitochondrial DNA control region (CR) for 157 individuals from 11 remnant patches throughout the fragmented distribution area. Fifty-two variable sites were observed and 30 haplotypes were defined. Compared with other primate species, R. bieti cannot be regarded as a taxon with low genetic diversity. Phylogenetic analysis partitioned haplotypes into two divergent haplogroups (A and B). Haplotypes from the two mitochondrial clades were found to be mixed in some patches although the distribution of haplotypes displayed local homogeneity, implying a strong population structure within R. bieti. Analysis of molecular variance detected significant differences among the different geographical regions, suggesting that R. bieti should be separated into three management units (MUs) for conservation. Based on our results, it can be hypothesized that the genetic history of R. bieti includes an initial, presumably allopatric divergence between clades A and B 1.0-0.7 million years ago (Ma), which might have been caused by the Late Cenozoic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, secondary contact after this divergence as a result of a population expansion 0.16-0.05 Ma, and population reduction and habitat fragmentation in the very recent past.     

Selective logging intensity in an East African rain forest predicts reductions in ant diversity

As natural forest ecosystems increasingly face pressure from deforestation, it is ever more important to understand the impacts of habitat fragmentation and degradation on biodiversity. Most studies of anthropogenic change in the tropics come from Southeast Asia and South America, and impacts of habitat modification are often taxon‐specific. Here we empirically assessed the impact of habitat fragmentation and recent (within 25 yr) and historic (>25 yr ago) selective logging on the diversity of ants in the Kakamega rain forest in western Kenya, and asked whether these forms of degradation interact as multiple stressors. We found that the severity of recent selective logging was negatively related to overall species richness and abundance as well as the richness and abundance of forest specialists, but found no detrimental effect of past selective logging or habitat fragmentation on ant diversity, although habitat fragment size was correlated with estimated species richness. There was also no effect of any form of habitat degradation on the richness or abundance of open habitat specialists, even though these species often exploit niches created in disturbed environments. Ultimately, this study reveals the detrimental impact of even moderate forms of habitat degradation on insect biodiversity in the understudied African rain forests.     

黑白仰鼻猴种群生存力初步分析

根据黑白仰鼻猴 (Rhinopithecusbieti)的相关参数 ,借助漩涡模型 (Vortex 9 4 2 ) ,对黑白仰鼻猴的种群动态进行了模拟分析。结果表明 ,在没有近亲繁殖和偷猎影响的情况下 ,各亚种群 10 0年间均持续增长 ,即使数量较少的攀天阁和白济讯亚种群的灭绝概率也只有 3%和 6 %。在加入近亲繁殖和偷猎因素时 ,有 5个亚种群 (小昌都、乌牙普牙、金丝厂、富合山和格花箐 )保持增长态势 ,3亚种群 (茨卡通、各摩茸及响姑箐 )数量保持稳定 ,其他 5个亚种群 (米拉卡、巴美、龙马山、攀天阁和白济讯 )呈下降趋势。在其他条件相同的情况下 ,大的环境容纳量能够促进亚种群的增长 ,因此 ,保护生境是保护该物种的根本途径。偷猎对整个异质种群增长有负作用 ,所以杜绝偷猎发生是保护该物种的重要条件。近亲繁殖率随种群减小和时间推移逐渐增加 ,也对猴群的长期存活有负面影响。     

Seasonality of reproduction of wild black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) at Mt. Lasha, Yunnan, China

Black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) inhabit one of the harshest habitats by any nonhuman primate. Reliable predictive cues to initiate reproduction may be particularly critical for R. bieti because they inhabit such seasonally energetically challenging environments. To better understand the seasonal distribution of and predictive cues to reproduction, we collected breeding and birth data in a population of R. bieti at Mt. Lasha in Yunling Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China, from January 2008 to May 2010, using a combination of 10-min instantaneous scans and ad libitum observations. We examined variations in temperature, rainfall, and food availability, as well as photoperiod differences between Mt. Lasha and the more northerly Xiaochangdu to identify environmental influences on the timing of reproductive events. Our data show the area exhibited distinct seasonal fluctuations in rainfall, temperature, and food availability. Mating occurred year-round, but peaked in August, coinciding with the end of the period of highest temperatures and food availability, and during the peak rainfall. Copulation frequency peaked 1 month after corresponding peaks in staple foods, rainfall, and minimum temperatures, and 3-4 months after peaks in high-quality foods. Births were significantly seasonal, with a birth peak from mid-February to early April, and a mean birth date of 14 March. Eleven births occurred in 41 days in 2009, and 16 births occurred in 52 days in 2010. Births occurred during periods of increasing temperatures and food availability. Our findings are suggestive of at least one environmental control of conception timing, and support the notion that food availability during key reproductive stages is an ultimate factor for birth seasonality, but provide no supporting evidence for photoperiod during the conception season as a proximate cue to reproduction in R. bieti.     

The effects of selective logging on the distribution of moths in a Bornean rainforest

The effects of selective logging on the diversity and species composition of moths were investigated by sampling from multiple sites in primary forest, both understorey and canopy, and logged forest at Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia. The diversity of individual sites was similar, although rarefied species richness of logged forest was 17% lower than for primary forest (understorey and canopy combined). There was significant heterogeneity in faunal composition and measures of similarity (NESS index) among primary forest understorey sites which may be as great as those between primary understorey and logged forest. The lowest similarity values were between primary forest understorey and canopy, indicating a distinct canopy fauna. A number of species encountered in the logged forest were confined to, or more abundant in, the canopy of primary forest. Approximately 10% of species were confined to primary forest across a range of species' abundances, suggesting this is a minimum estimate for the number of species lost following logging. The importance of accounting for heterogeneity within primary forest and sampling in the canopy when measuring the effects of disturbance on tropical forest communities are emphasized.     

Report on the distribution,population, and ecology of the yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti)

The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), an endangered species in China, has received more protection in theory than in practice. Therefore it is on the very verge of extinction. The population of the species was estimated less than 2,000 individuals spread in 19 distinct groups. It was confirmed that the monkey was confined to the Yunling Mountain System, the area between the Yangtze River (Changjiang, aka Jinshajiang) to the east and the Mekong River (Lancangjiang) to the west. We further concluded that a lowland belt to the east, about 100 km long and 20 – 30 km wide was not suitable habitat for the monkeys, and appeared to serve as the natural ecogeologic barrier for the species. Our results indicated that the southern limit of the distribution was at Longma (26°14′N), and that the northern limit of the distribution was at Xiaochangdu (29°20′N). The distribution area of the species was substantially smaller than previously estimated. There were substantial ecological differences between the southern and northern parts of the species range. The monkey was found only in fir-larch forest.     

First direct evidence of infanticide and cannibalism in wild snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti)

Although infanticide has been witnessed in many species of Colobinae, and a case was observed in a captive group of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana), observed cases of infanticide in wild snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus spp.) have not previously been recorded. Here we describe the killing of a 1-month-old infant by a male in a black-and-white snub-nosed monkey (R. bieti) group at Xiaochangdu in Tibet. The infanticidal attack was witnessed as part of a long-term observational study of ecology and behavior that began in June 2003. The male was observed killing and eating the infant. The literature proposes three main explanations for infanticide: two adaptive hypotheses (sexual selection and resource competition), and one nonadaptive hypothesis (social pathology). Individual cases of infanticide, such as this one, are important for comparative purposes, but when examined on their own they are difficult to interpret in relation to established theoretical frameworks. The cases we describe here show some consistency with the sexual selection hypothesis, but the lack of critical information (i.e., as to paternity) makes it impossible to draw a firm conclusion. This is also the first described case of cannibalism in snub-nosed monkeys.     

Effects of Logging on the Diversity of Lianas in a Lowland Tropical Rain Forest in Hainan Island, South China

Lianas are an integral part of tropical forest ecosystems, which usually respond strongly to severe disturbances, such as logging. To compare the effect of different logging systems on the lianas diversity in tropical rain forest, we recorded all lianas and trees ≥1 cm dbh in two 40-year-old forest sites after clear cutting (CC) and selective cutting (SC) as well as in an old-growth (OG) lowland tropical rain forest on Hainan Island in south China. Results showed that OG contained fewer liana stems and lower species richness (stems: 261, richness: 42 in 1 ha) than CC (606, 52) and SC (727, 50). However, OG had the highest Fisher's α diversity index (17.3) and species richness per stem (0.184). Species composition and dbh class distribution of lianas varied significantly with different logging systems. The mean liana dbh in OG (22.1 cm) were higher than those in CC (7.0 cm) and SC (10.4 cm). Stem twining was the most frequent climbing mechanism represented in the forest, as shown by the greatest species richness, abundance, basal area, and host tree number with this mechanism. The percent of host tree stems ≥4 cm dbh hosting at least one liana individual in SC (39%) was higher than CC (23%) and OG (19.5%). Large host trees (dbh≥60 cm) were more likely to be infested by lianas in SC and OG. Our study demonstrated that logging disturbance could significantly change the composition and structure of liana communities in the lowland tropical rain forest of south China.
     

Fragments are not islands: patch vs landscape perspectives on songbird presence and abundance in a harvested boreal forest

The boreal mixed-wood forest of northern Alberta. Canada is characterized by a mosaic of deciduous and coniferous forest patches. Recently, the deciduous portion of the forest was allocated for industrial logging. Widespread habitat loss and fragmentation may negatively affect birds and other wildlife. Most research on the effects of habitat loss on bird abundance has focussed on the forest as a patch or island in a matrix of non-habitat, but some species of songbird may use both the forest patch and the matrix. We hypothesized that some species of songbird might be able to compensate for a loss of deciduous forest by moving into other habitat types (termed "habitat compensation"). We report on a replicated field investigation in which we assessed the response of songbirds to commercial timber harvest by first examining their abundance within deciduous forest only, and then adding the clearcuts and coniferous forest in the surrounding areas to the analysis for a broader, landscape view of the system. Bird communities in deciduous and coniferous habitats had significant overlap in species composition: there was less overlap between forest and clearcuts. The shift from patch-centred to landscape sampling altered our interpretation of over half of the most common species' responses to logging in at least one year, suggesting that habitat compensation may have been occurring. However, significant variation in responses of species was observed between the two study areas. Our past reliance on island biogeographic and other single habitat approaches may be inappropriate for this system, and we stress that a broad, landscape view is required to properly assess and interpret species' responses to habitat loss and fragmentation.     

Multi-scale analysis on wintering habitat selection of Reeves''s Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, Henan Province, China

Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii), endemic to China, is an endangered species of pheasants. The wintering habitat selection by the species was investigated at three scales (10, 115 m and 250 m) in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve from 2000 to 2002. At each scale, a range of habitat variables were compared between the used and the control sites. At the smallest scale (10 m), the variables influencing wintering habitat selection were slope, tree cover, and the interaction between the cosine of slope aspect and the shrub height. At the mid-scale (115 m), the area of shrub, the area of broad-leaved forest, and the area of conifer forest were the key factors. At the largest scale (250 m), broad-leaved and conifer forest coverages and their interaction were the key factors. According to the lowest AIC and AIC_c values at the mid-scale, the characteristics at this scale were stated as the ultimate factors influencing the habitat selection of the bird. When a range of habitat variables at all scales within a multivariate regression were considerred, the most important variables were conifer forest coverage at the mid-scale, broad-leaved forest coverage, and the interaction between the conifer forest and shrub coverages at the large-scale, and the distance to beach and farmland. These results highlight the importance of multiscale analyses when habitat selection by pheasants are considerred.     

RetractedFood habits of Rhinopithecus bieti as assessed by fecal analysis at Mt. Longma,Southwest China

The following article from Zoo Biology, "Food habits of Rhinopithecus bieti as assessed by fecal analysis at Mt. Longma, Southwest China" by Xue‐You Li, Shi‐Jian Yang and Yang Yang, published online on September 17, 2010, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal's Executive Editor, Jason V. Watters, and the publisher, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed due to overlap between this article and the following article published in the American Journal of Primatology: "Diet and feeding behavior of Rhinopithecus bieti at Xiaochangdu, Tibet: adaptations to a marginal environment" by Zuo‐fu Xiang, Sheng Huo, Wen Xiao, Rui‐chang Quan and Cyril C. Grueter. Am J Primatol 69:1141–1158, 2007.     

Habitat alteration,hunting and the conservation of folivorous primates in African forests

Abstract The colobus monkeys and gorillas of African forests share a strong tendency to depend on foliage during lean seasons. In many areas, both kinds of primate are threatened by habitat destruction. But while the total removal of natural habitat is clearly a major threat to the survival of many African forest primates, an analysis of survey data suggests that human predation tends to have a greater negative impact on primate populations than does selective logging or low-intensity bush-fallow agriculture. In the absence of hunting, the population density of colobus monkeys correlates with the protein: fibre ratio of mature tree foliage in their habitat, and the density of gorillas appears to be correlated with the abundance of terrestrial herbaceous vegetation. Because moderately disturbed forest can be relatively rich in high-quality lean-season folivore foods, such forest sometimes supports a higher density of folivorous primates than forest that has not been recently disturbed but that has been subject to hunting. Conservation plans for African forests should place more emphasis on the control of hunting and less on rural development, and long-range plans should also allow for the strong possibility of political instability.     

Tree community diversity of lowland swamp forest in Northeast Costa Rica, and changes associated with controlled selective logging

In the Atlantic lowlands of Northeast Costa Rica, logging occurs in tracts of poorly drained wet forest ('swamp forest'), yet little is known about factors affecting swamp forest diversity or the potential for biodiversity retention during harvest. This paper quantitatively describes the species composition and diversity of the swamp forest habitat, and reports the immediate impact of controlled, selective logging on tree community diversity. Pentaclethra macroloba (Leguminosae), Carapa nicaraguensis (Meliaceae) and Pterocarpus officinalis (Leguminosae) accounted for >70% of the primary swamp forest basal area. Nevertheless, 225 species from 53 families with individuals 10cm dbh were encountered in 16.4 ha; most species had very low abundances. Gamma diversity is a component of overall swamp forest diversity. Extraction of 49.2m3ha–1 (5.5 trees ha–1) of timber from a 4ha plot reduced species richness by 14, supporting assertions that random mortality during logging can affect the distribution of rare species. However, tree community diversity as measured by rarefaction was not greatly affected by selective logging. Total post-logging stem recruitment over a 3-year period was greater in logged plots than in undisturbed plots; the recruitment of the ruderal species Ochroma lagopus (Bombacaceae) was the most clearly affected by logging. Any localized dominance by this species will be limited in space and time in a carefully managed forest. The results suggest that controlled selective logging can be consistent with biodiversity conservation, and complement protected areas in Northeast Costa Rica.     

Multi-scale analysis on wintering habitat selection of Reeves''s Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, Henan Province, China

Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii), endemic to China, is an endangered species of pheasants. The wintering habitat selection by the species was investigated at three scales (10, 115 m and 250 m) in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve from 2000 to 2002. At each scale, a range of habitat variables were compared between the used and the control sites. At the smallest scale (10 m), the variables influencing wintering habitat selection were slope, tree cover, and the interaction between the cosine of slope aspect and the shrub height. At the mid-scale (115 m), the area of shrub, the area of broad-leaved forest, and the area of conifer forest were the key factors. At the largest scale (250 m), broad-leaved and conifer forest coverages and their interaction were the key factors. According to the lowest AIC and AIC_c values at the mid-scale, the characteristics at this scale were stated as the ultimate factors influencing the habitat selection of the bird. When a range of habitat variables at all scales within a multivariate regression were considerred, the most important variables were conifer forest coverage at the mid-scale, broad-leaved forest coverage, and the interaction between the conifer forest and shrub coverages at the large-scale, and the distance to beach and farmland. These results highlight the importance of multiscale analyses when habitat selection by pheasants are considerred.     

Mitogenomic analysis of Chinese snub-nosed monkeys: Evidence of positive selection in NADH dehydrogenase genes in high-altitude adaptation

Chinese snub-nosed monkeys belong to the genus Rhinopithecus and are limited in distribution to six isolated mountainous areas in the temperate regions of Central and Southwest China. Compared to the other members of the subfamily Colobinae (or leaf-eating monkeys), these endangered primates are unique in being adapted to a high altitude environment and display a remarkable ability to tolerate low temperatures and hypoxia. They thus offer an interesting organismal model of adaptation to extreme environmental stress. Mitochondria generate energy by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and play important roles in oxygen usage and energy metabolism. We analyzed the mitochondrial genomes of two Chinese snub-nosed monkey species and eight other colobines in the first attempt to understand the genetic basis of high altitude adaptation in non-human primates. We found significant evidence of positive selection in one Chinese snub-nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus roxellana, which is suggestive of adaptive change related to high altitude and cold weather stress. In addition, our study identified two potentially important adaptive amino acid residues (533 and 3307) in the NADH2 and NADH6 genes, respectively. Surprisingly, no evidence for positive selection was found in Rhinopithecus bieti (the other Chinese snub-nosed monkey analyzed). This finding is intriguing, especially considering that R. bieti inhabits a higher altitudinal distribution than R. roxellana. We hypothesize that a different adaptive genetic basis to high altitude survival exists in R. bieti from those seen in other mammals, and that positive selection and functionally associated mutations in this species may be detected in nuclear genes related to energy and oxygen metabolism. More information on the structure, function, and evolution of mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in Chinese snub-nosed monkeys is required to reveal the molecular mechanisms that underlie adaptations to high altitude survival in non-human primates.     

Chainsawing for conservation: Ecologically informed tree removal for habitat management

Summary In many ecosystems, increases in vegetation density and the resulting closure of forest canopies are threatening the viability of species that depend upon open, sunlight‐exposed habitats. Consequently, we need to develop management strategies that recreate open habitats while minimizing the impacts on non‐target areas. Selective logging creates canopy gaps, but may result in undesirable effects in other respects. Thus, chainsaws have not been a popular tool for conservation. We conducted a landscape‐scale experiment to test whether selective tree removal can restore patch‐level habitat quality for Australia’s most endangered snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) and its main prey (the lizard Oedura lesueurii). We selectively removed canopy trees surrounding 25 overgrown rock outcrops and compared the resultant habitat structure and abiotic conditions to 30 overgrown, shady outcrops and 20 open, sunny outcrops. Removing vegetation decreased canopy cover by 19% in experimental plots and increased incident radiation and thermal regimes. These changes increased the availability of suitable shelter sites for our target species by 131%. At the landscape scale, our manipulations had a trivial effect on forest habitat; by increasing the area of sun‐exposed outcrops, we decreased forest cover by <0.1%. Our results show that targeted canopy removal can increase the availability of sun‐exposed habitat patches for endangered species in biologically meaningful ways. Thus, selective tree felling may be an effective conservation tool for open‐habitat specialists threatened by vegetation overgrowth.