Abundance of birds in the oak savannas of the southwestern United States

Abstract

Oak ecosystems of the Southwestern United States are important habitats for a variety of wildlife species. Information is available on the abundance and habitat preferences of some species inhabiting the more densely structured oak woodlands, but little information is available on these topics for the comparatively open oak savannas. Studies are underway to alleviate this situation by determining the abundance of wildlife species commonly found in the oak savannas, identifying the habitat preferences of these species, and assessing the impacts of prescribed burning on the wildlife species. Initial estimates of the abundance of birds in oak savannas obtained in the first year of a comprehensive investigation on the abundance and habitat preferences of a more complete representation of avifauna, mammals, and herpetofauna inhabiting oak savannas are presented in this paper.

Parent Publication

• Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II

Citation

Jones, Wendy D.; Jones, Carlton M.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Gottfried, Gerald J. 2005. Abundance of birds in the oak savannas of the southwestern United States. Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 523-524