Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

Effect of stand width and adjacent habitat on breeding bird communities in bottomland hardwoods

Article Abstract:

Bottomland hardwood forests support a wide range of birds but are also a valuable source of hardwood lumber. Areas of bottomland hardwoods are reducing and are set to decline further as more demands are placed upon them. Such harvesting may compromise interior habitat conditions for breeding forest birds. A new study in South Carolina compares the species richness of bottomland hardwood stands of varying widths with avian abundance indices. Results suggest that species richness shows a strong positive link with bottomland forest width, both total and species-specific counts being greatest in the widest and narrowest width classes.

Research, Environmental aspects, South Carolina, Forest management, Bird breeding, Bird populations, Forest ecology

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Habitat use and home range of West Indian whistling-ducks

Article Abstract:

Declining numbers of West Indian whistling-ducks over recent years have been caused by factors such as habitat loss and over-hunting. The species needs conservation action if it is to survive, but little is known about habitat use and home range. A new study uses radiotelemetry to investigate the home range size and habitat use of whistling-ducks in the Bahamas. Results of the study show that habitat should contain mangroves, swash and ponds for feeding and roosting, plus coppice and scrub for nesting.

Usage, Habitat (Ecology), Habitats, Bahamas, Water birds, Dendrocygna, Whistling ducks

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