Effects of long-term forest management on a regional avifauna

Abstract

We compared breeding bird populations on and off of the Savannah River Site, SC, to determine whether management practices have affected abundance and composition of the resident avifauna. We assessed relative abundance by comparing Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data from six routes off the Savannah River Site with three surrogate routes generated using point-count data from four research projects on the Savannah River Site. Total number of species per route did not differ on- and off-site. Total number of birds per route was greater off the Savannah River Site than on the Savannah River Site. Twenty-three species were more abundant on than off the Savannah River Site, and 33 species were more abundant off than on the Savannah River Site. Species more abundant off the Savannah River Site primarily were those that prefer agricultural or urban habitats, whereas those more abundant on the Savannah River Site primarily prefer mature forest habitat. We conclude that management practices on the Savannah River Site have resulted in a landscape that supports many species not otherwise common in the region.

Citation

Kilgo, John C.; Franzreb, Kathleen E.; Gauthreaux, Sidney A., Jr.; Miller, Karl V.; Chapman, Brian R. 2000. Effects of long-term forest management on a regional avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology. 21:81-86.