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Abstract
I compared avian species richness, density, and diversity for neotropical migrants, short distance migrants, and permanent residents following timber harvesting in cove hardwood forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. The forest stands were 4-103 years old, had undergone a clearcut or selective tree removal, and represented four successional stages (early, sapling/pole, mid, and late). Neotropical migrants constituted 60.5 to 69.0 percent of species richness. Mean breeding bird density for all species was 225.1 pairs/40 ha (±16.3 se) with an overall mean density for neotropical migrants of 186.2 pairs/40 ha (±5.4 se). Late successional cove hardwood forest habitats provide for a significantly more diverse avifauna with respect to the entire avifauna, and, specifically the neotropical migrants, than does sapling/pole or midsuccessional forests. Neotropical migrants are the most substantial avian component of the highly diverse cove hardwood forest habitat, accounting for a minimum of 70 percent of the individual birds in each successional class. Therefore, their needs must not be overlooked in considering the consequences of habitat alterations and management activities.
Parent Publication
Citation
Kathleen E. Franzreb 2005. The Effects of Timber Harvesting on Neotropical Migrants in Cove Hardwood Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. In: Ralph, C. John; Rich, Terrell D., editors 2005. Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 1 Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. Albany, CA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: p. 301-311
