Scale Perspectives on Avian Diversity in Western Riparian Ecosystems

Knopf, Fritz L.; Samson, Fred B.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-4018-1_5

Cited by 19 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Riparian vegetation also benefits terrestrial biodiversity. Relative to the area it occupies, riparian vegetation provides habitat for a disproportionately large number of species (Redford & de Fonseca ; Naiman, Decamps & Pollock ; Knopf & Samson ). Plant and animal assemblages in riparian vegetation differ from those in adjacent environments, particularly those that are more arid, such that riparian zones enhance regional diversity (Sabo et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Riparian vegetation has disproportionate benefits for landscape‐scale conservation of woodland birds in highly modified environments

Bennett

Nimmo

Radford

2014

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary1. Identifying landscape patterns that allow native fauna to coexist with human land use is a global challenge. Riparian vegetation often persists in anthropogenic environments as strips of natural or semi-natural vegetation that provide habitat for many terrestrial species. Its relative contribution to landscape-scale conservation is likely to change as environments become increasingly modified. We used a 'whole of landscape' approach to test the hypothesis that riparian vegetation offers disproportionate benefits, relative to nonriparian vegetation, for the conservation of woodland birds in highly modified agricultural landscapes. 2. We selected 24 landscapes, each 100 km 2 , along a gradient of landscape change represented by decreasing cover of native vegetation (from 60% to <2%), in an agricultural region in SE Australia. Bird species were systematically surveyed at three riparian and seven nonriparian sites in wooded vegetation in each landscape. 3. Riparian sites supported a greater richness of woodland-dependent species, a group of conservation concern, than did non-riparian sites. The composition of assemblages also differed between site types. 4. At the landscape scale, the pooled richness of bird assemblages at riparian and nonriparian sites, respectively, decreased with overall loss of tree cover despite constant sampling effort. Within landscapes, the b-diversity of woodland species among non-riparian sites increased (composition became less similar) as landscape tree cover declined. In contrast, riparian assemblages were relatively stable with no change in b-diversity. Importantly, as landscape tree cover declined, the proportion of woodland species uniquely present at riparian sites increased and made a greater contribution to overall landscape diversity. 5. Synthesis and applications. Landscape-scale richness of woodland species declines as landscape tree cover is lost. In highly depleted landscapes, riparian vegetation retains a relatively rich, stable assemblage compared with that in heterogeneous remnants of non-riparian vegetation and consequently contributes disproportionately to landscape-scale diversity. These observations, together with the diverse benefits of riparian vegetation for aquatic ecosystems, mean that protection and restoration of riparian vegetation is a high priority in anthropogenic environments. Importantly, such actions are directly amenable to individual land managers, and the benefits will accumulate to enhance the persistence and conservation of species at landscape and regional scales.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…). Riparian vegetation may also support a greater richness and abundance of species than occurs in adjacent vegetation (Knopf & Samson ; Mac Nally, Soderquist & Tzaros ; Woinarski et al . ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian vegetation has disproportionate benefits for landscape‐scale conservation of woodland birds in highly modified environments

Bennett

Nimmo

Radford

2014

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…In general, biodiversity may be crucial for long-term resilience of ecosystem functions and the services they underpin (Oliver et al 2015). In particular, restored riparian areas filter water and promote groundwater recharge (Tabacchi et al 2000;Mander et al 2005), capture carbon and prepare ecosystems for change (Lewis et al 2015;Matzek et al 2015;Seavy et al 2009), provide habitat for native fish and wildlife (Knopf and Samson 1994;Pusey and Arthrington 2003;Gardali et al 2006;Golet et al 2008), protect soil and support pollinators (Kremen et al 2002;Power et al 2010), and increase property values and provide recreational opportunities (Colby and Smith-Incer 2005;Bark et al 2008). …”

Section: What Are Conservation Objectives and Why Set Them?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Science of Setting Conservation Objectives for Birds in California’s Central Valley: An Introduction

Gardali¹,

Marty²,

Yarris³

2017

SFEWS

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“…Riparian habitats support more breeding birds than any other habitat type in the western United States, even though they only make up ;1% of the total land area (Saab andGroves 1992, Knopf andSamson 1994). Riparian habitats support more breeding birds than any other habitat type in the western United States, even though they only make up ;1% of the total land area (Saab andGroves 1992, Knopf andSamson 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Finding solutions for bird restoration and livestock management: Comparing grazing exclusion levels

Nelson

Gray

Evans

2010

Ecological Applications

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Riparian habitats in the western United States support high avian abundance and diversity and are important areas for livestock grazing, although grazing contributes to the degradation of riparian vegetation. Complete removal of livestock is generally the most beneficial for bird communities, but alternative management approaches allowing for seasonal livestock grazing may also increase avian habitat quality. Determining management approaches that integrate conservation priorities and human use has the potential to improve conditions for birds across many grazed landscapes. We anticipated that both the full and seasonal exclusion of cattle from riparian areas would result in the recovery of avian populations. To test this, we experimentally compared the effects of total cattle exclusion vs. seasonal usage on bird populations in the riparian areas of two creeks in the San Joaquin Valley, California, USA. Avian species richness and average abundance were measured over six years, from 2001 to 2006. In general, native avian abundance and richness increased in both full-and seasonal-exclosure areas, with increases compared to the pretreatment year for all years except 2005. Habitats that had complete cattle exclusion recovered more significantly, with 29% lower avian abundance in seasonally grazed habitats. There was no significant difference in avian richness between the two grazing treatments, although richness did increase over time. In addition to increases in native species, abundance of nonnative birds and brood parasites also increased significantly, with a greater avian abundance in the full-exclusion areas. A direct comparison with the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), to further investigate annual avian population trends, explained the native species decline in 2005. This comparison revealed that observed trends were the effect of experimental treatment rather than a reflection of regional trends. Although the overall trends indicate that the full exclusion of livestock from riparian areas results in more abundant bird populations, seasonal exclusion is also a successful method for avian recovery. Land managers should consider both options in riparian areas, selecting full cattle removal for avian management only and seasonal cattle removal for situations where incorporating conservation and land use practices is advantageous.

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Scale Perspectives on Avian Diversity in Western Riparian Ecosystems

Cited by 19 publications

References 32 publications

Riparian vegetation has disproportionate benefits for landscape‐scale conservation of woodland birds in highly modified environments

Riparian vegetation has disproportionate benefits for landscape‐scale conservation of woodland birds in highly modified environments

The Science of Setting Conservation Objectives for Birds in California’s Central Valley: An Introduction

Finding solutions for bird restoration and livestock management: Comparing grazing exclusion levels

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