城市公园植被特征对陆生鸟类集团的影响

城市公共绿地是城市生态系统中重要的鸟类栖息地,其植被特征对鸟类集团存在显著影响。在通过分析植被特征对陆生鸟类集团的作用,从而为公园合理配置植被来提高其作为野生动物栖息地的生态服务功能提供理论基础。2009年10月至2011年10月,采用样线法对上海滨江森林公园进行鸟类调查,利用主成分分析划分鸟类集团,用高度定义植被层次,用卡方检验分析鸟类行为在植被层次上的差异。结果表明,滨江森林公园陆生鸟类群落在乔木层的栖息行为和运动行为频次显著多于其在灌木层和地被层的行为频次,在地被层的取食行为频次显著多于其在乔木层和灌木层的行为频次。陆生鸟类可划分为8个鸟类集团,鸟类集团之间存在栖息、运动和取食空间生态位的重叠。食虫拾取集团、杂食拾取集团、食肉飞取集团和植食拾取集团在栖息、运动和取食空间生态位上均存在较高的重叠度,其通过食性分离各自空间生态位。食虫探取集团和食虫飞取集团互为栖息空间生态位重叠度最高集团,其通过取食方式的不同来实现生态位的分离。根据公园植被特征对鸟类集团的影响结果对上海市公园绿地植被配置提出了建议。     

城市公园生境类型对鸟类群落的影响

2011年12月—2012年11月,在上海世纪公园和滨江森林公园对鸟类群落和植物群落进行调查,通过对12个植被变量进行主成分分析,将两个公园分为8种不同的生境类型。结果表明:2个公园生境构成存在显著差异,滨江森林公园灌木层植物发达的生境(Habitat with developed shrub layer,S型)以及灌木层和地被层植物都发达的生境(Habitat with developed tree layer and shrub layer,T+S型)数量显著多于世纪公园,世纪公园地被层发达的生境(Habitat with developed ground cover layer,G型)以及乔木层和地被层植物都发达的生境(Habitat with developed tree layer and ground cover layer,T+G型)数量显著多于滨江森林公园。世纪公园不同生境中鸟种数差异显著,而滨江森林公园中差异不显著。2个公园有24种共有鸟种,对共有鸟种生境利用率的配对t检验结果表明,滨江森林公园鸟类生境利用率显著高于世纪公园。对2个公园共有生境类型中鸟种数进行分析,发现滨江森林公园鹟科(Muscicapidae)鸟类种数显著大于世纪公园。根据以上结果,上海城市公园不同生境类型对鸟类群落结构存在显著影响。因此,建议在规划和建设大型城市公园时,应构建植被分层结构复杂的生境,多样化种植各类乔木,林下多样化搭配灌木。在保留供游客休憩草坪区域的同时种植各类草本植物,以此提高鸟类生境利用率,增加城市公园的鸟类多样性。     

弄岗北热带喀斯特季节性雨林群丛数量 分类及与环境的关系

以弄岗15 ha北热带喀斯特季节性雨林监测样地各样方的相对海拔、坡度、坡向、凹凸度和物种重要值数据为变量, 采用多元回归树方法将喀斯特季节性雨林森林群落分为8个群丛。同时, 按乔木层、亚乔木层优势种为主, 灌木层指示种为辅的方法分别把8类群丛命名为: (A)南方紫金牛(Ardisia thyrsiflora)–苹婆(Sterculia monosperma)–中国无忧花(Saraca dives)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于土壤和空气的湿度都较大的谷底边缘; (B)对叶榕(Ficus hispida)–苹婆–董棕(Caryota obtusa)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于伴有季节性水淹、土壤和空气湿度都很大的谷底; (C)山石榴(Catunaregam spinosa)–广西牡荆–蚬木(Excentrodendron tonkinense)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于受太阳直射时间较长、水分条件中等偏旱的中下坡阳坡地带; (D)垂茉莉(Clerodendrum wallichii)–苹婆–广西棋子豆(Cychidendron guangxiensis)群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于受太阳直射时间稍短、水分条件适中的中下坡阴坡地带; (E)米仔兰(Aglaia odorata)–闭花木(Cleistanthus sumatranus)–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于土壤湿度中等偏旱的中上坡半阴坡地带; (F)割舌树(Walsura robusta)–闭花木–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于土壤湿度中等偏旱、比较陡峭的半阳坡地带; (G)枝花流苏树(Chionanthus ramiflorus)–广西牡荆–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于坡度缓和、太阳直射的时间较短、水分条件适中的垭口部位; (H)齿叶黄皮(Clausena dunniana)–黄梨木(Boniodendron minius)–蚬木群丛, 该群丛类型主要分布于受到太阳直射时间最长、岩石裸露度最大、气温干燥、土壤水分严重不足的山顶及其周围。群丛划分说明该区域植被差异主要源于相对海拔和坡向变化, 各群丛物种组成并不存在明显界限, 而是随环境梯度逐渐变化, 反映了植被分布具有连续性, 间断只是相对的。     

不同取样强度下古田山木本植物幼苗组成 及其分布格局比较

幼苗阶段是森林群落更新的瓶颈, 研究木本植物幼苗组成和分布格局对正确认识森林群落构建以及多样性维持机制具有十分重要的意义。以往基于幼苗阶段的研究取样强度较小, 主要涉及常见种, 缺乏对稀有种的有效监测。我们对古田山24 ha森林样地幼苗监测网络进行了扩建, 在已有507个1 m × 1 m幼苗监测样方的基础上, 增设了285个5 m × 5 m幼苗样方, 对样方内所有高度≥ 10 cm且胸径< 1 cm的木本植物幼苗按大样地监测标准进行了定位、挂牌、鉴定和测量。本研究利用2012年5 m × 5 m幼苗监测样方的首次调查数据, 比较了24 ha大样地中不同取样强度下幼苗和非幼苗(胸径≥ 1 cm的木本植物)个体在物种组成、多样性分布格局以及生境偏好等方面的差异。结果表明: (1) 285个5 m × 5 m幼苗监测样方共计有木本植物幼苗138种20,581株, Shannon-Wiener多样性指数以及经多度校正的物种丰富度指数均显著高于1 m × 1 m幼苗监测样方以及24 ha大样地的非幼苗个体, 该结果与基于Rarefaction方法计算的物种数期望值结果一致; 与1 m × 1 m幼苗监测样方结果相比, 5 m × 5 m幼苗监测样方内物种数-取样面积曲线趋于饱和。(2) 5 m × 5 m幼苗监测样方幼苗与24 ha大样地非幼苗个体物种多度呈异速增长关系, 表明植物在幼苗阶段受到负密度制约效应的影响, 死亡率相对较高。(3)取样强度和胸径阈值的选取对群落稀有种的界定有重要影响, 朱砂根(Ardisia crenata)、山鸡椒(Litsea cubeba)、美丽胡枝子(Lespedeza thunbergii subsp. formosa)等物种在24 ha样地水平被认为是稀有种, 但是在5 m × 5 m幼苗样方却属于常见种。(4)指示种分析结果表明, 基于不同取样强度的幼苗生境指示种与基于大样地非幼苗个体的分析结果存在较大差异。在5 m × 5 m幼苗样方中, 13个物种与单一生境类型显著相关, 其中仅有3个物种与1 m × 1 m幼苗样方指示种相同, 与24 ha大样地非幼苗相比, 仅有2个共有指示种。总之, 不同取样强度可显著影响幼苗物种多样性格局的分析结果, 通过样方扩建对林下幼苗进行系统监测, 可进一步加深对群落生物多样性维持机制的认识。     

小流域治理20年后的千烟洲植物多样性

研究了小流域治理20年后千烟洲植物α多样性和β多样性,结果如下:1)优势度:所有人工林乔、灌、草3层均以乔木层优势度最大,且乔木层优势度均大于天然次生林和枫香(Liquidambar formosana)林,而所有天然次生林及枫香林均以乔木层优势度最小。12种类型群落灌木层优势度都较小,均值仅0.17。草本层,白茅(Imperata cylindrica var. major)草丛和檵木(Loropetalum chinense)-疏花雀麦(Bromus remotiflorus)灌丛优势度较大,分别为0.53和0.51。2)多样性:从乔、灌、草3层比较,枫香林、天然马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林以乔木层最大,其它群落以灌木层最大,而所有人工林以乔木层最低。乔木层中枫香林最高(2.61);灌木层和草本层多样性存在相似之处:马尾松 + 湿地松(Pinus elliottii)林最高,除马尾松+山鸡椒(Litsea cubeba)林、板栗(Castanea mollissima)+枫香林外,其它人工林多样性均高于天然次生林和枫香林。3)丰富度:各群落均以灌木层最大;枫香林乔木层和灌木层种类丰富度均很高,但草本层很低;天然次生林乔木层丰富度指数大于人工林。4)均匀度:从灌、草层比较,除檵木-疏花雀麦灌丛和白茅草丛外,其它群落草本层均匀度均大于灌木层。乔木层,板栗+枫香林和马尾松+山鸡椒林均匀度指数很大,大于0.76,其它人工林均匀度小于天然次生林和枫香林。灌木层,除板栗+枫香林外,其它人工林均匀度都大于天然次生林和枫香林。5)β多样性与α多样性相互补充,很好地反映了不同群落类型之间的差异。β多样性将12种类型群落分成3大类,草丛、灌丛、具乔木层的群落,其中草丛与其它类型群落相异性最大。枫香林是位于人工林与天然次生林之间的过渡类型。     

浙江天台山甜槠群落物种多样性研究

对浙江省天台山甜槠群落的不同样地、不同层次的物种丰富度、物种多样性指数和群落均匀度进行了分析。结果表明:木本植物的物种丰富度、物种多样性指数明显大于草本植物,而群落均匀度两者无显著差异。在群落垂直结构中,乔木层第二亚层的物种丰富度、物种多样性指数均显著大于第一亚层,它们之间的群落均匀度差异不显著。灌木层的物种丰富度、多样性指数最大,乔木层次之,草本层最小。灌木层的群落均匀度明显大于乔木层,而乔木层、灌木层的群落均匀度与草本层差异不显著。乔木层、灌木层、草本层的多样性各项指标在群落各样地间均有一定的差异,相对而言,灌木层、乔木层的差异较小,草本层的差异较大。     

2005～2009年广州南沙湿地鸟类的群落结构及数量动态

2005～2009年对南沙湿地鸟类群落开展了监测.2005年发现50种,隶属12目26科,全年记录到总数3548只;2006年发现57种,隶属12目28科,全年记录到总数5488只;2007年发现64种,隶属12目31科,全年记录到总数5063只;2008年发现69种,隶属12目32科,全年记录到总数4251只;2009年发现73种,属12目32科,全年记录到总数4776只.鸟类群落的数量不同月份有显著的变化,说明南沙湿地秋冬季是南迁北徙鸟类重要的觅食地和栖息地.鸟类群落的种类和数量每年有增加的趋势,2008年和2009年比2005年分别增加19种和23种.鸟类群落的多样性每年在增长,2005年为2.9608,2006年为2.9869,2007年为3.1624,2008年为3.2544,2009年为3.2776,2008年和2009年比2005年分别增长了9.91%和10.7%.从2005～2009年鸟类群落的种类和数量来看,目前南沙湿地开放旅游由于限制了游客数量还没有影响到鸟类种类、数量和栖息地.     

千岛湖岛屿化对植物多样性的影响初探

选取千岛湖典型破碎化区域,研究了水库形成后引起的岛屿化对植物物种多样性的影响.在18个大中小型岛屿和一处陆地对照中设立了26个样方,调查乔木和灌木的种类和数量.乔木物种丰富度的单因素方差分析显示:F=13.0,P=0.000,说明各类岛屿间乔木物种差异极显著.多重比较发现大岛上乔木物种丰富度显著高于小岛和中岛,与对照陆地差别不大;灌木的分析显示:F=1.31,P=0.29,说明小、中、大岛和对照陆地灌木物种丰富度差异不显著.Spearman相关性分析显示乔木物种与岛屿面积显著相关,随岛屿面积增大而增加,而灌木物种相关性不显著.Shannon多样性指数分析表明,无论乔木还是灌木其多样性都是大岛最大,陆地次之,而小岛上灌木多样性指数大于中岛.Simpson优势度和Pielou均匀度分析显示,乔木样地中大岛的物种分布均匀性最好,优势种的优势度最低,而灌木样地中小岛的均匀度最高,优势种的优势度最不明显.     

秦岭皇冠暖温带落叶阔叶林灌木层结构与物种多样性

灌木是森林生态系统中的重要组成部分,探究灌木层的物种组成、结构和空间分布可以为进一步阐明森林物种共存、生物多样性维持和群落演替机制奠定基础。本研究分析了秦岭皇冠25 hm²森林样地灌木层的物种组成、空间分布以及物种多样性。结果表明: 样地内灌木独立个体共20716株(分枝10463个),隶属于28科45属54种。灌木层优势种的优势度不明显,重要值均＜10。灌木层植被的径级结构为倒“J”型;灌木在样地内呈聚集分布且空间分布存在明显的海拔差异。样地内个体数最多的9种灌木的径级结构和空间分布与灌木层整体情况一致。随着海拔升高,Shannon多样性指数(H)和Simpson优势度指数(D)变化不显著,而Pielou均匀度指数(E)降低。多样性指数H、D、E随乔木层优势种个数增加而降低,E随亚乔木层优势种个数增加而升高。多样性指数H、D、E与土壤全磷呈显著负相关;H与土壤pH呈显著正相关,E与土壤全钾呈显著正相关。本研究区灌木层物种丰富,结构稳定,更新良好;灌木层的物种多样性主要受到乔木层优势种个数和土壤pH、全磷的影响。     

海口和三亚两城市破碎化林地中鸟类群落多样性与嵌套分布格局

城市化是生物多样性快速丧失的主要原因之一。鸟类作为城市生态系统的重要组成部分, 其生物多样性格局和物种保护已成为城市生态学研究的热点。为揭示城市化过程中城区和郊区破碎化林地中鸟类群落的多样性差异和嵌套格局, 本研究于2021年春、夏季鸟类繁殖期采用样线法对海口和三亚市的城区、郊区共13个林地斑块中的鸟类群落进行调查。使用NODF (nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill)和WNODF (weighted nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill)方法进行嵌套格局分析。研究发现: (1)共记录到林鸟100种, 隶属于11目39科, 其中三亚郊区的鸟类丰富度最高, 共8目29科68种。记录到国家重点保护鸟类共18种, 其中两城市郊区的国家重点保护鸟类物种数均多于城区, 海口郊区还记录到国家I级重点保护鸟类黄胸鹀(Emberiza aureola)。(2)鸟类群落多度、物种丰富度、Pielou均匀度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数在不同区域中均存在差异。海口城区的鸟类群落多度显著高于海口郊区(P < 0.05), 三亚郊区的鸟类群落物种丰富度、Pielou均匀度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均显著高于三亚城区和海口郊区(P < 0.05)。(3)嵌套分析结果表明, 海口和三亚市的城区、郊区林地鸟类群落均呈现反嵌套分布格局。线性回归分析显示, 三亚市城区和郊区的斑块面积与鸟类物种丰富度呈显著正相关, 而物种丰富度与斑块距最近大面积林地的距离之间无显著相关性。研究表明, 两城市鸟类群落多样性都表现出郊区高于城区的特点, 少数优势种(如白头鹎 Pycnonotus sinensis)占据了城市中的主要生态位。受城市化的影响, 海口郊区与城区鸟类群落有同质化的趋势。鸟类在城区和郊区斑块间的高流动性、种间竞争和斑块中资源的可利用性等因素可能导致斑块间鸟类群落的反嵌套分布格局。我们建议应加强城区和郊区鸟类的保护, 减少对林地的破坏, 提高城市鸟类多样性。     

Impacts of an invasive willow (Salix × rubens) on riparian bird assemblages in south‐eastern Australia

We explored how a woody plant invader affected riparian bird assemblages. We surveyed 15 200‐m‐long transects in riparian zones in a much‐changed landscape of eastern Victoria, Australia. Abundance, species‐richness, foraging‐guild richness and composition of birds were compared in transects in three habitat types: (i) riparian zones dominated by the invasive willow Salix × rubens; (ii) riparian zones lined with native woody species; and (iii) riparian zones cleared of almost all woody vegetation. We also measured abundance and richness of arthropods and habitat structure to explore further the effects of food resources and habitat on the avifauna. We observed 67 bird species from 14 foraging guilds. Native riparian transects had more birds, bird species and foraging guilds than willow‐invaded or cleared transects. Habitat complexity increased from cleared to willow‐invaded to native riparian transects, as did abundance of native and woodland‐dependent birds. Native shrub and trees species had more foliage and branch‐associated arthropods than did willows, consistent with a greater abundance and variety of foraging guilds of birds dependent on this resource. Willow spread into cleared areas is unlikely to facilitate greatly native bird abundance and diversity even though habitat complexity is increased. Willow invasion into the native riparian zone, by decreasing food resources and altering habitat, is likely to reduce native bird biodiversity and further disrupt connectivity of the riparian zone.     

Effects on bird abundance and species richness of edge restructuring to include shrubs at the interface between conifer plantations and moorland

Capsule?Bird species richness and (for most species) abundance were positively related to the extent of shrub cover at the interface between conifer plantations and moorland, but it appears that responses to shrub development vary between different bird guilds.

Aims?To assess the bird assemblages in both winter and breeding seasons at the interface between managed conifer plantations and open moorland, where that interface had been restructured to include a mosaic of shrubs and open ground.

Methods?Timed point counts were used to sample the birds at restructured plantation – moorland interface areas and also in neighbouring plantations (post- and pre-thicket age classes) and neighbouring moorland. Associations between species richness and abundances with measures of shrub cover and composition were assessed using GLMMs.

Results?A total of 60 bird species were recorded including 29 on lists of conservation concern, most of which were associated with shrub interface habitats. Species richness and, for most species, abundance were positively related to the extent of shrub cover. Positive relationships between shrub cover in interface areas and the abundance of some species in neighbouring plantations and open moorland suggested a resource subsidy to birds in neighbouring habitats. In contrast, some birds tended to be less abundant in plantations next to areas with more shrub cover. These species were more abundant in the shrub itself, suggesting redistribution by species with a preference for early successional shrub habitats.

Conclusions?The long-term management of shrub, especially with regard to successional development, is a challenging aspect of forest and landscape management that deserves further study.     

Effect of Urbanization and Seasonality in Bird Communities of Kathmandu Valley,Nepal

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal is undergoing rapid urbanization but its effects on the bird communities have not been reported till date. Kathmandu Valley was categorized into urban, sub-urban and rural to study the impact of urbanization in bird communities. By mobilizing volunteers, we monitored 24 transects each with one km long in summer and winter seasons of 2016. A total of 13,749 individuals of birds belonging to 102 species were recorded. Species richness and diversity of all birds declined from rural to urban areas and showed significant variation along urban–rural gradients. Insectivore was the most species-rich guild while nectarivore the least. The richness of insectivore, frugivore and carnivore guilds showed significant variations along the urban–rural gradients and higher preference towards the rural areas. Similarly, species richness of all birds and richness of insectivore and carnivore guilds showed significant seasonal variation and were higher in the winter season. Our results indicate that richness, diversity and feeding guilds of birds show different response towards the urbanization gradients and seasons. Sub-urban areas can function as bird refugia, however, habitat enrichments (like increasing green spaces, setting up new parks and gardens, plantation of native fruiting trees etc.) are utmost necessary to support the bird communities in urban areas of Kathmandu Valley.     

Spatial patterns of woody plant and bird diversity: functional relationships or environmental effects?

Aim To understand cross‐taxon spatial congruence patterns of bird and woody plant species richness. In particular, to test the relative roles of functional relationships between birds and woody plants, and the direct and indirect environmental effects on broad‐scale species richness of both groups. Location Kenya. Methods Based on comprehensive range maps of all birds and woody plants (native species > 2.5 m in height) in Kenya, we mapped species richness of both groups. We distinguished species richness of four different avian frugivore guilds (obligate, partial, opportunistic and non‐frugivores) and fleshy‐fruited and non‐fleshy‐fruited woody plants. We used structural equation modelling and spatial regressions to test for effects of functional relationships (resource–consumer interactions and vegetation structural complexity) and environment (climate and habitat heterogeneity) on the richness patterns. Results Path analyses suggested that bird and woody plant species richness are linked via functional relationships, probably driven by vegetation structural complexity rather than trophic interactions. Bird species richness was determined in our models by both environmental variables and the functional relationships with woody plants. Direct environmental effects on woody plant richness differed from those on bird richness, and different avian consumer guilds showed distinct responses to climatic factors when woody plant species richness was included in path models. Main conclusions Our results imply that bird and woody plant diversity are linked at this scale via vegetation structural complexity, and that environmental factors differ in their direct effects on plants and avian trophic guilds. We conclude that climatic factors influence broad‐scale tropical bird species richness in large part indirectly, via effects on plants, rather than only directly as often assumed. This could have important implications for future predictions of animal species richness in response to climate change.     

Restoration Practices Have Positive Effects on Breeding Bird Species of Concern in the Chihuahuan Desert

Woody plant encroachment into grasslands is a global concern. Efforts to restore grasslands often assume that removal of woody plants benefits biodiversity but assumptions are rarely tested. In the Chihuahuan Desert of the Southwestern United States, we tested whether abundances of grassland specialist bird species would be greater in plant communities resulting from treatment with herbicides to remove encroaching shrubs compared with untreated shrub‐dominated areas that represented pre‐treatment conditions. In 2010, we surveyed breeding birds and vegetation at 16 treated–untreated pairs. In 2011, we expanded the survey effort to 21 treated–untreated pairs, seven unpaired treatment areas, and five reference grassland areas. Vegetation in treatment areas had higher perennial grass foliar and basal cover and lower shrub foliar cover compared with untreated areas. Several regionally declining grassland specialists exhibited higher occurrence and relative abundance in treated areas. A shrubland specialist, however, was associated with untreated areas and may be negatively impacted by shrub removal. Bird community composition differed between treated and untreated areas in both years. Our results indicate that shrub removal can have positive effects on grassland specialist bird species, but that a mosaic of treated and untreated areas might be most beneficial for regional biodiversity .     

Seasonality,habitat type and locality influenced bird assemblage structure in Nigeria

This is the first report of the avian assemblage in the study area of Dutse, Nigeria. In addition to recording bird species, the effects of season, dominant vegetation structure, locality and anthropogenic activities on bird abundance, species richness and diversity were investigated. Using the point transect method, 264 points on 48 km of transect were used to count birds between 06:30 and 11:00 from August 2015 to February 2016. A total of 122 bird species of 41 families were recorded. Highest bird species richness was recorded in Warwade, highest abundance in Model, and highest diversity in Malamawa. The dry season and woodland habitat showed higher bird species richness, abundance and diversity than the wet season and shrubland habitat. Tree density was more important in increasing bird abundance than shrub density. Small-scale anthropogenic activities and habitat modification, such as farming, grazing, wood removal and human interference did not appear to have impacted the birds; however, loss of high tree-density woodland habitats may pose a major threat to the bird community in Dutse. The presence of birds of concern in the area suggests the need for conservation efforts of avifauna and as well as the forested habitats in Dutse.     

Broad-scale reciprocity in an avian seed dispersal mutualism

Aim Coevolved relationships between individual species of birds and plants rarely occur in seed dispersal mutualisms. This study evaluates whether reciprocal relationships may occur between assemblages of bird and plant species. Location Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada (48°50′‐N, 125°22′‐W). Methods The distribution and fruiting phenologies of seven shrub species were compared to seasonal changes in habitat selection and seed dispersal by six fruit‐eating bird species. Results Shrub species inhabiting forest understorey habitat had earlier fruiting phenologies than shrub species inhabiting forest edge habitat along lake and bog margins. Birds showed a parallel pattern in habitat selection, being more abundant in the forest understorey early in the fruiting season, and more abundant in the forest edge later in the season. Rates of seed deposition covaried with avian habitat selection, in such a way that birds directed seed dispersal into habitats preferred by shrubs. Conclusions These results depict a broad‐scale pattern in the abundance of birds and fruits indicative of reciprocal interactions. Seasonal changes in seed dispersal to each habitat appear to reinforce the relationship between shrub habitat affinities and fruiting phenologies. Phenological differences between habitats may also reinforce seasonal changes in avian habitat selection. Therefore, although reciprocal interactions between pairs of bird and plant species are rare, broad‐scale reciprocal relationships may occur between assemblages of bird and plant species.     

The role of farm structure on bird assemblages around a Kenyan tropical rainforest

Although it is clear that the farmlands neighbouring fragmented forests are utilized by some forest birds, it is not clear how birds in general respond to farmland habitat mosaic. An effort was made to determine how bird density and foraging assemblages were influenced by farm structural characteristics and distance from forest edge. Thirty farms up to a distance of 12 km around Kakamega forest in western Kenya were studied. Farm structure entailed size, hedge volume, habitat heterogeneity, woody plant density, plant diversity and crop cover. Birds were surveyed using line transects and DISTANCE analyses and classified into six feeding guilds and three habitat associations. Size of farms increased away from the forest, as woody plant density, plant diversity, indigenous trees and subsistence crop cover declined. The most important farm structure variable was hedge volume, which enhanced bird species richness, richness of shrub‐land bird species and insectivorous bird density (R = 0.58, P < 0.01). Bird density increased with tree density while indigenous trees were suitable for insectivores and nectarivores. There were very few forest bird encounters. Agricultural practices incorporating maintenance of hedges and sound selection of agroforestry trees can enhance conservation of birds on farmland, though, not significantly for forest species.     

Can forest management have season-dependent effects on bird diversity?

Forest management modified the original structure of most European forests, and in the most extreme cases, genuinely natural and semi-natural forests were turned into plantations through clear felling and replanting, often using non-native species. We compared the bird community structure of native oak woods of northern Italy with that of their anthropogenic counter-parts: black locust and sweet chestnut woods. The three stand types were compared in terms of vegetation structure, bird species richness, diversity and abundance of foraging guilds. We analysed both the overwintering and the breeding community, to assess whether management had specific seasonal effects on bird diversity. Forestry-imposed disturbances affected bird diversity more consistently in winter than in breeding time: bird species richness and diversity were significantly greater in oak and chestnut stands, which were the preferred habitat for bark foragers and foliage gleaners. In the breeding period, bird diversity of black locust woodlands increased, and inter-stand differences were not significant. At this time of year, understorey gleaners were more abundant in black locust stands (where shrubs were denser). In winter, species richness, diversity and the abundance of several guilds were positively correlated with stand age, whereas in the breeding period canopy gleaners preferred younger woodlots. Despite the lack of inter-stand differences in breeding bird diversity, young-managed woods benefited generalist birds that need no particular conservation efforts. Conversely, priority species for forest conservation such as specialised bark foragers positively selected native and mature stands throughout the year. We suggest that detailed year-round studies on diversity and community composition could sharpen the precision with which it is possible to prescribe conservation measures in forested areas.