Conservation of forest birds: evidence of a shifting baseline in community structure

Chadwick D. Rittenhouse; Anna M. Pidgeon; Thomas P. Albright; Patrick D. Culbert; Murray K. Clayton; Curtis H. Flather; Chengquan Huang; Jeffrey G. Masek; Susan I. Stewart; Volker C. Radeloff

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011938

Treesearch

Conservation of forest birds: evidence of a shifting baseline in community structure

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Chadwick D. Rittenhouse, Anna M. Pidgeon, Thomas P. Albright, Patrick D. Culbert, Murray K. Clayton, Curtis H. Flather, Chengquan Huang, Jeffrey G. Masek, Susan I. Stewart, Volker C. Radeloff

Year:

2010

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011938

Source:

PloS ONE. 5(8): 311938. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011938.

Download (PDF 313 KB)

Download (PDF 313 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/36299.pdf

Abstract

Quantifying changes in forest bird diversity is an essential task for developing effective conservation actions. When subtle changes in diversity accumulate over time, annual comparisons may offer an incomplete perspective of changes in diversity. In this case, progressive change, the comparison of changes in diversity from a baseline condition, may offer greater insight because changes in diversity are assessed over longer periods of times. Our objectives were to determine how forest bird diversity has changed over time and whether those changes were associated with forest disturbance.

Keywords

conservation, forest birds, shifting baseline

Citation

Rittenhouse, Chadwick D.; Pidgeon, Anna M.; Albright, Thomas P.; Culbert, Patrick D.; Clayton, Murray K.; Flather, Curtis H.; Huang, Chengquan; Masek, Jeffrey G.; Stewart, Susan I.; Radeloff, Volker C. 2010. Conservation of forest birds: evidence of a shifting baseline in community structure. PloS ONE. 5(8): 311938. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011938.