Effects of landscape composition on edge-sensitive songbirds in a forest-dominated landscape
Thirty-eight mature upland forest stands in the Nicolet National Forest were selected to study relationships between abundances of edge-sensitive forest birds within the stands and patterning of vegetation types surrounding the stands. Ten indicator species were examined, and three years of point count data from the Nicolet National Forest Bird Survey formed the basis of the study. Three separate habitat maps were created to quantify landscape structural characteristics in a geographic information system (GIS); the first was compiled from existing vegetation inventory maps maintained by the Nicolet National Forest, the second was based on a Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite image classification, and the third was based on a combination of the first two habitat maps. Abundance of individuals in the indicator species group was related to statistical metrics of landscape pattern and proportions of habitat types surrounding the sites using multiple regression. Best subsets of variables to explain variation in total bird abundance were selected. Relationships between individual species abundances and landscape and site vegetation variables were also examined using univariate tests. The combined habitat mapping method provided the best regression model of songbird abundance, and relationships given by this model were consistent across all species.
- Research Organization:
- Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76OR00033
- OSTI ID:
- 573236
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/OR/00033--T771; ON: DE97053803
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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