Bird Diversity and Composition in Even-Aged Loblolly Pine Stands Relative to Emergence of 13-year Periodical Cicadas and Vegetation Structure

Abstract

In southern Arkansas, l3-year periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) were expected to emerge in late April and early May of 1998. Presence of a superabundant food source, such as periodical cicadas, may attract greater numbers of birds and more species of birds than is usually present in a particular area. Three even-aged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands were surveyed for birds by using a fixed-width transect before, during, and after emergence of the periodical cicadas. Emerging cicada nymphs were trapped and counted to obtain an estimate of cicada density. The density of cicadas in these pine stands was considerably lower than densities reported for other forest stands in the Eastern U.S. Bird diversity was variable between months and stands but did not appear to be strongly influenced by the presence of periodical cicadas. Bird composition in these managed loblolly pine stands was similar to that in unmanaged, even-aged pine and pine/hardwood stands of similar ages.

Citation

Hestir, Jennifer L.; Cain, Michael D. 1999. Bird Diversity and Composition in Even-Aged Loblolly Pine Stands Relative to Emergence of 13-year Periodical Cicadas and Vegetation Structure. USDA, Paper presented at the Tenth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Shreveport, LA, February 16-18, 1999.