Title: IMPORTANCE OF SPATIAL SCALE TO HABITAT USE BY BREEDING BIRDS IN RIPARIAN FORESTS: A HIERARCHICAL ANALYSIS
Abstract: Ecological ApplicationsVolume 9, Issue 1 p. 135-151 Article IMPORTANCE OF SPATIAL SCALE TO HABITAT USE BY BREEDING BIRDS IN RIPARIAN FORESTS: A HIERARCHICAL ANALYSIS Victoria Saab, Victoria Saab 1 USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 316 E. Myrtle Street, Boise, Idaho 83702 USA, and University Museum, Campus Box 315, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309 USASearch for more papers by this author Victoria Saab, Victoria Saab 1 USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 316 E. Myrtle Street, Boise, Idaho 83702 USA, and University Museum, Campus Box 315, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309 USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 February 1999 https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(1999)009[0135:IOSSTH]2.0.CO;2Citations: 262Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Patterns of habitat use by breeding birds were studied in cottonwood riparian forests along 100 km of the South Fork of the Snake River in southeastern Idaho, United States, from 1991 to 1994. A hierarchical approach was used to examine habitat use at three spatial scales: microhabitat (local vegetation characteristics), macrohabitat (cottonwood forest patch characteristics), and landscape (composition and patterning of surrounding [matrix] vegetation types and land uses). This paper addresses a series of predictions about species’ distributions that incorporate the different spatial scales. Bird distribution and abundance and vegetation data were collected on 57 cottonwood forest patches ranging in size from 0.40 ha to 205 ha. The surrounding landscape changed from a valley surrounded by mountains, on the upstream end of the study area, to a narrow canyon adjacent to natural upland vegetation in the middle section, and to a wide, open floodplain dominated by agriculture on the downstream end. The best predictors of high species richness (r2 = 0.71) were natural and heterogeneous landscapes, large cottonwood patches, close proximity to other cottonwood patches, and microhabitats with relatively open canopies. Distribution and frequency of occurrence were evaluated for 32 species of small land birds. The most frequent significant predictor of species occurrence was the landscape component: increases in upland natural vegetation with decreases in agriculture. Both interior and edge specialists were found in arid land, cottonwood riparian forests that are linear in nature, with large amounts of edge. Nest predators, brood parasites, and exotic species responded positively to human-altered landscapes. Landscape patterns were the primary influence on distribution and occurrence of most bird species, whereas macrohabitat and microhabitat were of secondary importance. Thus, surrounding landscape (matrix) features should be a primary consideration for selecting riparian reserve areas. Citing Literature Supporting Information Filename Description https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3292814 Research data pertaining to this article is located at figshare.com: Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Volume9, Issue1February 1999Pages 135-151 RelatedInformation
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-02-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 404
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