Aim As a result of their ecological traits, woodpeckers (Picidae, Aves) are highly sensitive to forest cover change. We explored the current land cover in areas of high species richness of woodpeckers to determinate regions where urgent conservation actions are needed. In addition, we identified woodpecker species that are sensitive to forest loss and that have high levels of human habitat modification and low levels of protection (through protected areas) in their distribution ranges. Location Global. Methods We joined available range maps for all extant 254 woodpecker species with information of their conservation status and tolerances to human habitat modifications and generated a richness map of woodpecker species worldwide. Then, we associated this information (the richness pattern and individual species’ maps) with land cover and protected areas (PAs) maps. Result We found that the foremost woodpecker species richness hotspot is in Southeast Asia and is highly modified. At the second species richness hotspot in the eastern Andes, we observed a front of deforestation at its southern extreme and a greater deforested area in its northern extreme but most of its area remains with forest coverage. At the species level, 17 species that are sensitive to forest modification experience extensive deforestation and have low extents of PAs in their ranges. Main conclusions The most diverse woodpecker hotspots are mostly occupied by human‐modified landscapes, and a large portion of the species there avoids anthropogenic environments. The level of representation of woodpecker species in PAs is low as a global general pattern, although slightly better in Asia. Our global analysis of threats to woodpecker from land use patterns reiterates the urgent conservation needs for Southeast Asian forests. Finally, based on our results, we recommend a re‐evaluation for inclusion in the Red List of five woodpecker species.
Forest fragmentation threatens bird species throughout the world. Previous studies suggest that the sensitivity of bird species to forest fragmentation is related to food abundance, and that this could be a key factor in understanding demographic changes. We assessed the relationship between forest fragment size, isolation and food abundance and the abundance of seven common species of birds in southern Chaco forests of Argentina, which use different food items, and are involved in different ecosystem processes. The relative abundance of Turdus amaurochalinus (Creamy-bellied Thrush) and Saltator aurantiirostris (Golden-billed Saltator) significantly decreased with patch size reduction, whereas the relative abundance of Taraba major (Great Antshrike) decreased with patch isolation and increased with arthropod abundance. Chlorostilbon lucidus (Glittering-bellied Emerald), Elaenia parvirostris (Small-billed Elaenia), Polioptila dumicola (Masked Gnatcatcher) and Zonotrichia capensis (Rufous-collared Sparrow) appeared to be resilient to forest fragmentation. Body size was a good predictor of bird sensitivity, as only the largest species were negatively correlated with forest fragmentation. Previous work suggests that birds inhabiting Chaco forests may be resilient to forest fragmentation. This needs to be reconsidered in the light of our results since the abundance of three out of seven common bird species was negatively related to forest fragmentation.
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