Impact of stand variables on characteristics of avian soundscape in common oak (Quercus robur L.) forests

Abstract

One of the problems that may arise when conducting long-term monitoring of bird populations in forest landscapes may be discrepancies between data obtained by different researchers. Using acoustic monitoring may solve this problem. To establish the suitability of the acoustic method for monitoring the state of forest ecosystems, studies were conducted in May and June 2018 on seven plots different from each other by stand age and species composition in a maple-linden-oak forest in northeastern Ukraine. The species composition of birds, the structure and composition of the stand and the values of six acoustic indices were calculated. Differences were found in all acoustic indices at different sites. The smallest values of the indices were noted in the overgrown clear-cut. Four acoustic indices in the May survey and five of the six in the June survey show significant correlations with the species richness of birds. All indices correlate with the values of several stand variables, which characterize the size and species composition of the stand, understorey and field vegetation, the closeness of various vegetation tiers, and with the distance to the edges and the nearest populated areas. The results suggest the possibility of using an acoustic approach to monitoring the bird population and the state of forest ecosystems.

A Soundscape Assessment of the Oak Forests in the National Park “Homilshanski Lisy” (Northeastern Ukraine)

“…In some cases, the average number of species identified using AudioMoths exceeded the average number of species identified using more expensive recorders, as well as the results of point counts (Toenies, Rich, 2021). Our results also show that the data obtained with Audi-oMoth devices is generally consistent with both data obtained with more expensive devices (Atemasov, Atemasova, 2019) and the results of point counts (Atemasov et al, 2010(Atemasov et al, , 2011.…”

“…To establish whether there is a relationship between ACI and species richness in the oak forests of the National Park Homilshanski Lisy, it is necessary to determine the species composition and vocal activity of birds in our records, which will be the subject of further research. Results of previous studies based on the analysis of 5-min recordings made in various types of forests have shown a correlation between AIs and species richness of birds in the studied areas (Atemasov, Atemasova, 2019). NDSI is calculated using anthrophony and biophony and is often used as an indicator of anthropogenic sound disturbance.…”

“…The park covers a large forest area on the right bank of the Siversky Donets River, the floodplain of the river, and the left-bank borough terrace. Description of the study area is published in our previous article (Atemasov, Atemasova, 2019).…”