Avian Reporting Rates in Chugcheongnam Province, South Korea Depend on Distance from Forest Edge, Size of Trees, and Size of Forest Fragments

Abstract

Forests provide bird communities with various resources, including food and habitats. Thus, forest attributes, such as size, structure, and species composition, influence the distribution and dynamics of bird species. This study was conducted to examine the association between forest condition, bird species abundance, and diversity within Chungcheongnam Province, South Korea. Zero-inflated binomial regression models were used to analyze a total of 1646 sampling points of abundance and diversity. Forest area, distance to forest edge, and tree size class were selected as covariates. Negative associations between forest area and overall bird abundance and species richness were indicated, whereas distance to forest edge was not a significant factor. This insignificance may be attributed to the relatively small, fragmented, and homogenous forest areas across the studied region. Results for individual bird species indicated that six out of the 35 major bird species had significant associations to the forest edge and three species showed a preference for the interior of the forest. The results of this study imply that other factors, such as food availability and biotic interaction, are more important when determining habitat preference in a relatively homogenous area with a long history of human disturbance.

A practice-led assessment of landscape restoration potential in a biodiversity hotspot

“…Research shows that the land area affected by wildfires decreases dramatically where canopy cover exceeds 40 ± 10% [52] Firebreak cutting≥ 40 (≥ 30 to ≥ 50)AnyAny Grass cutting≥ 40 (≥ 30 to ≥ 50)AnyAnyForest/savanna/agro-ecological mosaic Framework planting≥ 65 and < 95 (≥ 50 and < 90; ≥ 80 and < 100)Any≥ 200 (≥ 100 to ≥ 300) intactBased on AGB estimates for sites known by the authors to have significantly reduced ecosystem function in the study region, areas with ≥65 ± 15% AGB deficit were assumed to require planting to restore. Framework species planting [53] was planned in areas > 100–300 m from nearby intact forest (< 40–80% deficit) and savanna/agro-ecological mosaic (< 40–50% deficit), where seed dispersal was assumed to be restricted [16,17,54]. Severely degraded sites with ≥ 95 ± 5% AGB deficit were assumed to require soil improvement ([55] and [56]) followed by planting pioneer, nitrogen-fixing plants to be replaced with native trees over time [19] Soil improvement and nurse planting≥ 95 (≥ 90 to ≥ 100)AnyAny…”

“…shows that the land area affected by wildfires decreases dramatically where canopy cover exceeds 40 ± 10% [52] Firebreak cutting ≥65 ± 15% AGB deficit were assumed to require planting to restore. Framework species planting [53] was planned in areas > 100-300 m from nearby intact forest (< 40-80% deficit) and savanna/ agro-ecological mosaic (< 40-50% deficit), where seed dispersal was assumed to be restricted [16,17,54]. Severely degraded sites with ≥ 95 ± 5% AGB deficit were assumed to require soil improvement ( [55] and [56]) followed by planting pioneer, nitrogen-fixing plants to be replaced with native trees over time [19] Soil improvement and nurse planting produced in ArcGIS Pro version 2.7.1 [58].…”

Relationships between Bird Assemblages and Habitat Variables in a Boreal Forest of the Khentii Mountain, Northern Mongolia

“…Thus, in our study areas, ground-nesting bird species associated with grass (e.g., Anthus hodgsoni, Emberiza leucocephalos, Anthus trivialis, Alauda arvensis, and Emberiza cioides) tended to occupy areas with tall grass, such as pine plantations, and pines were often high in these habitats. The species that prefer an open forest canopy structure often tend to dominate the assemblages of dry Scots pine stands with sparse crown cover [20,58]. The high canopy-dominated conifer tree sites (LA, PI, MC) provide habitats for secondary cavity-nester bird species associated with low grasses and herbaceous cover (e.g., Sitta europaea, Parus major, and Poecile montanus).…”

“…Bird species diversity has been shown to increases as forest tree diversity increases [18,19]. In addition, environmental variables such as habitat heterogeneity, canopy cover, tree size, and seasonal and climate changes are important effects on the growth and reproduction of the forest bird assemblages [20].…”

Assessing the Distribution and Richness of Mammalian Species Using a Stacking Species Distribution Model in a Temperate Forest

“…The project was conducted for the purpose of classifying and identifying biotopes across the province; 1483 sampling points were randomly assigned. The field campaign also included an extensive wildlife survey (>~3500 survey points) across the province through 2–3 phases [ 21 ]. For the mammal survey, the researchers performed a thorough examination of the trace of mammal species within a 50 m radius at each sampling point.…”