Cerulean Warbler abundance and occurrence relative to large-scale edge and habitat characteristics

Journal Article · Wed Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Condor

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1650/0010-5422(2006)108[0154:CWAAOR]2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:20727614

Wood, P B; Bosworth, S B; Dettmers, R ^[1]

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1. West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (United States). US Geological Survey

We examined Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) abundance and occurrence in southwestern West Virginia, where the coal-mining technique of mountaintop removal mining-valley fill converts large contiguous tracts of deciduous forest to forest patches surrounded by early successional habitats. Our study objectives were to quantify abundance and occurrence of Cerulean Warblers relative to (1) distance from the edge of extensive reclaimed grasslands and (2) habitat structure and landscape characteristics. Cerulean Warbler abundance increased with distance from the edge and edge effects extended 340 m into the forest. Percent occurrence did not vary with distance from mine edge, suggesting a degree of tolerance to the extensive edge occurring at the interface of forest and reclaimed lands. Abundance and occurrence were greater on ridges and midslopes than in bottomlands; consequently, disturbances such as mountaintop mining in which ridges are removed may have a greater impact on populations compared to other sources of fragmentation where ridges are not disturbed. It was found that, in addition to outright loss of forested habitat, mountaintop mining-valley fill alters the spatial configuration of forested habitats, creating edge and area effects that negatively affect Cerulean Warbler abundance and occurrence in the reclaimed mine landscape.

• OSTI ID: 20727614
• Journal Information: Condor, Journal Name: Condor Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 108; ISSN 0010-5422
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
BIRDS
COAL MINING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FORESTS
LAND RECLAMATION
SURFACE MINING
USA
WEST VIRGINIA