Importance of residual trees to birds in regenerating pine plantations

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry

Jones JC¹  Demarais S¹  Hanberry BB²  Hanberry P² 

[1] Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Box 9690, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA;School of Natural Resources, 203 Natural Resources Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 USA;

关键词: Forest Management;    Establishment;    Habitat;    Site Preparation;    Snags;   

DOI  :  10.3832/ifor0616-005

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Pine plantation establishment methods can alter vegetation composition and structure, thus affecting habitat important characteristics for declining early successional bird species. We evaluated eight vegetation characteristics, which varied due to a range of pine plantation establishment methods, to identify vegetation most closely associated with spring bird abundance in the Lower Coastal Plain of southern Mississippi, USA. Presence of residual trees and snags was positively related to relative abundance of 10 of 14 common species present in regenerating stands. Cover of woody vegetation was positively related to relative abundance of 4 species and negatively related to relative abundance of 2 species. For 5 species, increasing pine tree cover had a nega­tive relationship with relative abundance. Residual trees and snags contributed to avian abundance and richness in regenerating pine plantations. Integration of habitat elements, such as residual trees that influence abundance of birds and other wildlife, with intensive pine plantation establishment can aid mana­gers to attain wildlife conservation in intensively managed stands.

【 授权许可】

Unknown