Revegetation and reproduction: do restoration plantings in agricultural landscapes support breeding populations of woodland birds?

Belder, Donna J.; Pierson, Jennifer C.; Ikin, Karen; Lindenmayer, David B.

doi:10.1007/s00442-020-04611-1

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Measures of reproductive performance provide a more reliable measure of the benefits of restoration (e.g. Belder et al, 2020), but are extraordinarily difficult to achieve when dealing with multiple species across multiple landscapes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration promotes recovery of woodland birds in agricultural environments: A comparison of ‘revegetation’ and ‘remnant’ landscapes

Bennett

Holland

Haslem

et al. 2022

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration promotes recovery of woodland birds in agricultural environments: A comparison of ‘revegetation’ and ‘remnant’ landscapes

Bennett

Holland

Haslem

et al. 2022

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…For example, young plantings (<25 years old) generally provide suitable breeding habitat only for generalist birds (Mac Nally et al., 2010; but see Belder et al., 2019), and it can take over a century before breeding resources for more sensitive species develop (Selwood et al., 2009; Whytock et al., 2018). Furthermore, nest failure has been linked to predation by the introduced red fox Vulpes vulpes , indicating that local predator management will enhance the value of plantings for low‐nesting woodland birds (Belder et al., 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local management or wider context: What determines the value of farm revegetation plantings for birds?

Haslem

Clarke

Holland

et al. 2021

Journal of Applied Ecology

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1. Small-scale revegetation plantings on farms are common to restoration efforts in agricultural regions worldwide. Such plantings provide habitat for diverse faunal groups. A key question concerns the degree to which their value for biodiversity is influenced by the features of individual plantings, which can be controlled by local land managers, or by broader-scale drivers in the wider landscape.2. We developed a conceptual model of factors of potential influence on birds in revegetation plantings at different spatial scales. To test this model, we surveyed native birds in 133 plantings in south-eastern Australia. Regression models were used to compare the effect of 'habitat-', 'patch-', 'farm-' and 'landscape-' scale variables on species richness (of woodland and open country birds) and the occurrence of individual species in plantings. We further tested whether the influence of variables representing local actions was swamped by larger-scale variables.3. Birds that occupied plantings were influenced by variables at all scales. Woodland birds were consistently richer and more likely to use older plantings (patch scale) with higher floristic richness (habitat scale), and surrounded by more wooded vegetation (at patch, farm and landscape scales). Open country species responded positively to the density of live trees (habitat scale) and the presence of large remnant tree/s (patch scale) in plantings. Variables representing local management actions generally maintained a stronginfluence on birds in plantings irrespective of the influence of broader drivers. Few relationships between bird species and planting attributes were contingent on features of the surrounding landscape; those that were suggested woodland birds are more responsive to local actions when broad-scale vegetation cover is greater. Synthesis and applications.Land managers can enhance the conservation value of plantings by (a) planting a greater diversity of trees and shrubs and (b) locating revegetation near other vegetation or around mature remnant tree/s. These actions will measurably increase the value of plantings for birds, irrespective of larger-scale drivers. Nonetheless, the important role of increased vegetation cover across broader agricultural landscapes emphasises that the collective efforts of individuals and larger initiatives are critical for conservation.| 2553

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“…Annual survival may otherwise be influenced by a range of possible factors, which we were unable to isolate during our study. One potential factor driving low annual survival is the presence of high numbers of predators, especially the introduced red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ), in fragmented agricultural landscapes (Ford et al 2001, Saunders et al 2010, Belder et al 2020 b ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The value of small habitat patches for biodiversity conservation has been well documented and reviewed (Fischer and Lindenmayer 2002 b , Tulloch et al 2016, Lindenmayer 2019, Wintle et al 2019). Restoration plantings provide habitat that is complementary to existing woodland remnants (Ikin et al 2018), and in which birds can breed successfully (Belder et al 2020 b ). There is no doubt that restoration plantings are a necessary conservation strategy in fragmented agricultural landscapes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is possible that restoration plantings act as secondary or transitional habitat for woodland birds, and that retention (and thus apparent survival) of individuals in small patches of revegetation may be poor. However, previous research has shown that various species breed in plantings (Belder et al 2019(Belder et al , 2020b, indicating that populations are resident to at least some degree. Annual survival may otherwise be influenced by a range of possible factors, which we were unable to isolate during our study.…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ongoing declines of woodland birds: Are restoration plantings making a difference?

Belder

Pierson

Rudder

et al. 2021

Ecological Applications

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Woodland birds are a species assemblage of conservation concern, and their persistence in fragmented agricultural landscapes is dependent on both the preservation of existing woodland remnants and the implementation of restoration plantings. However, little is known about the habitat-use and persistence of birds in fragmented agricultural landscapes. We present a detailed, population-oriented study of woodland birds in temperate eucalypt woodland restoration plantings and remnant woodland patches in the Southwest Slopes bioregion of New South Wales, Australia. First, we undertook a 3-yr mark-recapture project to assess annual survival and site fidelity in restoration plantings and woodland remnants. We supplemented our recapture efforts with resightings of color-banded individuals. Second, we tracked individual birds of two species, Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) and Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), and documented snapshots of their home ranges and movement patterns during the breeding season. Annual survival in the woodland bird assemblage was lower than expected (51%). Home ranges of the Superb Fairywren were positively correlated with patch size, and were constrained by patch edges in linear sites. Superb Fairywrens and Willie Wagtails were more likely to travel longer distances between substrates while foraging in linear sites. Willie Wagtails engaged in significant gap-crossing (up to 400 m) between adjacent habitat patches. Our findings indicate that (1) patch isolation and certain patch configurations place resident birds at an energetic disadvantage, and (2) in our study area, woodland bird populations are continuing to decline. We recommend landscape-scale habitat restoration programs aim to address ongoing population declines. Studies such as ours conducted over longer time periods would provide a deeper understanding of habitat use and population processes of woodland birds in fragmented agricultural landscapes.

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Revegetation and reproduction: do restoration plantings in agricultural landscapes support breeding populations of woodland birds?

Cited by 5 publications

References 83 publications

Restoration promotes recovery of woodland birds in agricultural environments: A comparison of ‘revegetation’ and ‘remnant’ landscapes

Restoration promotes recovery of woodland birds in agricultural environments: A comparison of ‘revegetation’ and ‘remnant’ landscapes

Local management or wider context: What determines the value of farm revegetation plantings for birds?

Ongoing declines of woodland birds: Are restoration plantings making a difference?

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