Bird Communities and Vegetation Composition in the Urban Forest Ecosystem: Correlations and Comparisons of Diversity Indices

Abstract

Blinkova O., Shupova T.: Bird communities and vegetation composition in the urban forest ecosystem: correlations and comparisons of diversity indices. Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 36, No. 4, p. 366-387, 2017.Assessment of relationships and diversity indices between bird's communities and composition of the forest ecosystem is an important subject of synecological research to identify the intensity of human impact on the flora and fauna. Urban recreation is one of the major causes of violation of the structural and functional integrity of the forest ecosystem. Studies of avian complex and phytocoenosis have focused on the impact of urban recreation on the compositions of tree, shrub and herbaceous layers and species, trophic and ecological compositions of breeding-birds and feeding-birds communities. This paper compares the measurement of the diversity of bird communities and forestry vegetation (diversity indices, dominance indices, distribution uniformity indices) of intensive, medium, moderate and weak stages of recreational transformation of biotope. The stands formed Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Acer platanoides L., Tilia cordata L. The floristic list comprised 78 grass species. A total number of 43 species of avifauna including 37 breeding species are observed during the study. There were significant correlations between vertical heterogeneity of tree distribution and abundance, species richness and nesting density of birds. The interrelationship between species diversity of birds and floristic richness was also confirmed.

Trophic links of the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) in transformed forest ecosystems of North-Eastern Ukraine

“…The increasing rate of anthropogenic environmental changes, recorded since the second half of the XX century has led to the formation of urban coenoses (Blinkova & Shupova, 2017). Ecosystem monitoring can be carried out by ecological indicators to preserve and manage the natural environment.…”

Bird communities and vegetation composition in natural and semi-natural forests of megalopolis: correlations and comparisons of diversity indices (Kyiv city, Ukraine)

“…In our research, the woodpeckers marked almost everywhere in the natural and semi-natural forests of the megalopolis. Quantitative indices of secondary tree hollow nesters are not closely related to the number of woodpeckers of urban ecosystems in comparison with natural forests through forestry work, which includes artificial nesting for birds (Blinkova, Shupova, 2017).…”

“…Human activity leads to the disappearance of most species of birds, which are typical for the indigenous forests of the Forest-Steppe, the intensive expansion of birds of meadow and shrubby phytocoenoses (Blinkova, Shupova, 2017). The impact of forestry activity on avifauna depends on the intensity of extraction of timber (Gabbe et al, 2002;Rodewald, Abrams, 2002;Šalek et al, 2010;Pereira et al, 2014;Bergner et al, 2015).…”

Population Dynamics and Distribution Patterns of Diurnal Raptors in Northeastern Algeria: Seasonal Variation and Some Nesting Characteristics

“…The occurrence of the Kabylie region within the Tell Atlas mountains (high landscapes), which is almost designated as national protected park (Djurdjura) (Moali, Gaci,1992), probably contributes to the maintain of diversified raptor populations when compared with the study region (almost extended landscapes) that is often subjected to intense agricultural and agribusiness activities (two-thirds of the total study area; Isenmann, Moali, 2000;PASNB, 2003). It is well known that the significant changes in the conditions of existence of biota species occurred under intensive human impact on the environment (Blinkova, Shupova, 2017). Intensification of agriculture and high levels of pesticide use threaten many raptor species because they result in reduced prey availability in the region (Karakas, 2015;Thiollay, 2006).…”