Forest fragmentation and avian nest predation in forested landscapes

Small, Michael F.; Hunter, Malcolm L.

doi:10.1007/bf00379601

Cited by 256 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…For example, Parvati and Alaknanda Hydroelectric Projects are located near two important protected areas, such as the Greater Himalayan National Park (GHNP) and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Th e clearing of vegetation cover for construction of roads, installation of power lines, and expansion of human population in formerly natural areas are reported to cause habitat loss and fragmentation (Small andHunter 1988, Sisk et al, 1994) and hydropower development will probably change the climate, and hence vegetation, and thus potentially the habitat for birds via its eff ect on climate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydro Power Development and Its Impacts on the Habitats and Diversity of Montane Birds of Western Himalayas

Jolli¹

2017

Vestnik Zoologii

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Himalayas. Jolli, V. -Th e montane forest ecosystems of Western Himalayas are under severe anthropogenic pressure because of hydro-electric project (HEP) development. Several studies have highlighted downstream eff ects of HEP, but there is no information on the eff ects of HEP-building activities on upstream fauna. In particular, studies on upstream Himalayan montane ecosystems and fauna around dams are lacking. I investigated eff ects of dam-building activities on bird communities in Indian Western Himalayas. I studied the response of bird communities along a disturbance gradient with the aim to identify key factors infl uencing their distribution. I surveyed primary and secondary montane forests, agricultural lands, and dam-aff ected (disturbed) habitats. Response variables included total avifaunal and woodland species richness and abundance, which were estimated by point-count surveys. Explanatory variables included tree and shrub density, canopy cover, disturbance intensity, and elevation. Bird species richness was higher in undisturbed and lesser disturbed sites, lower in agricultural sites, and lowest in HEP-aff ected sites. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that canopy cover, shrub density, and disturbance infl uenced species distribution; woodland birds signifi cantly negatively responded to dam-building activities. Th e study has shown that dam-building activity has negatively aff ected montane birds. I propose that increasing shrub and tree cover in dam-disturbed sites would minimise losses of avian habitats.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydro Power Development and Its Impacts on the Habitats and Diversity of Montane Birds of Western Himalayas

Jolli¹

2017

Vestnik Zoologii

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“…Consequently, a large abundance of matrix nest predators constitutes an alternative explanation for higher levels of edge effect (e.g. Small and Hunter, 1988;Wilcove, 1985). This means that predators with high movement ability within patches may have a negligible effect on nest success and population dynamics if their abundance in the matrix is low (see Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking edge effects and patch size effects: Importance of matrix nest predators

Vergara

Hahn

2009

Ecological Modelling

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a b s t r a c tThe edge effect is usually considered to be the proximate cause of area sensitivity in forest birds. We tested if birds nesting in large patches are less vulnerable to the edge effect using a simple model that assumes an increase in patch size reduces the probability of a matrix predator moving to the core areas of forest and that larger perimeter/area ratios result in a higher number of matrix predators per unit of area. The probability of a nest being successful decreased asymptotically with an increase in either the patch penetration distance of predators or predator density, but those effects were reduced when patch size was increased. Large patches have a lower probability of being affected by an Allee effect and they can function as sink habitats only if penetration distance and predator density are largely increased. However, the transition from an Allee effect to a sink condition occurs with a small increase in penetration distance and predator density. Since birds nesting in large patches are less vulnerable to an increase in matrix predator populations, persistence of bird populations may be possible by increasing the size of habitat patches that can act as source populations.

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“…Predators can cue on human odors at artificial nests (Whelan et al 1994), but this can be minimized by rain or scents (Donalty and Henke 2001). To address this concern, eggs were rinsed with distilled water and handled with rubber gloves when placed on nests (Small and Hunter 1988). By comparing individuals of the known population (non-nesting season captures) that also were captured on artificial nests during the nesting season, the percentage of the population actively involved in predation on artificial nests was determined.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predation on Artificial Nests of Northern Bobwhites, <em>Colinus virginianus</em>, by Mammalian Mesopredators: Does the Problem-Individual Paradigm Fit?

et al. 2006

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Using mark/recapture procedures, predation on artificial nests of Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) by mammalian mesopredators (Raccoons, Procyon lotor; Virginia Opossums, Didelphis virginiana; and Striped Skunks, Mephitis mephitis) was assessed in relation to the "problem-individual" paradigm. The paradigm, which is untested among mammalian mesopredators, predicts that most predation on a prey species is by a small number of individuals repeatedly involved. By examining number of captures and recaptures on artificial nests during non-nesting and nesting periods in 2000-2003, predation within and among species were gauged. Results varied by species, sampling period, and year; however, predation was by a small percentage of individuals and only within the population of Striped Skunks were individuals (2 of 49) captured on an artificial nest more than once. Raccoons, Virginia Opossums, and Striped Skunks were responsible for 10, 2, and 12% of the loss of all nests available to predators, respectively. Based on low occurrences of individuals repeatedly involved in predation on nests, the problemindividual paradigm was unsubstantiated. Although Raccoons, Virginia Opossums, and Striped Skunks (as individual predators) had only moderate impact on the population of Northern Bobwhites, they had a much greater impact collectively (preying upon 24% of all nests available). To maximize Northern Bobwhite success, the most productive management is probably best directed toward a vertebrate guild that includes mammalian, avian, and reptilian predators, and management strategies that use multiple techniques.

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Forest fragmentation and avian nest predation in forested landscapes

Cited by 256 publications

References 12 publications

Hydro Power Development and Its Impacts on the Habitats and Diversity of Montane Birds of Western Himalayas

Hydro Power Development and Its Impacts on the Habitats and Diversity of Montane Birds of Western Himalayas

Linking edge effects and patch size effects: Importance of matrix nest predators

Predation on Artificial Nests of Northern Bobwhites, <em>Colinus virginianus</em>, by Mammalian Mesopredators: Does the Problem-Individual Paradigm Fit?

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