Title: Songbird response to increased willow (<i>Salix</i>spp.) growth in Yellowstone's northern range
Abstract: Ecological ApplicationsVolume 21, Issue 6 p. 2283-2296 Article Songbird response to increased willow (Salix spp.) growth in Yellowstone's northern range Lisa M. Baril, Corresponding Author Lisa M. Baril [email protected] Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Mammoth, Wyoming 82190 USAE-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAndrew J. Hansen, Andrew J. Hansen Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USASearch for more papers by this authorRoy Renkin, Roy Renkin Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Mammoth, Wyoming 82190 USASearch for more papers by this authorRick Lawrence, Rick Lawrence Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USASearch for more papers by this author Lisa M. Baril, Corresponding Author Lisa M. Baril [email protected] Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Mammoth, Wyoming 82190 USAE-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAndrew J. Hansen, Andrew J. Hansen Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USASearch for more papers by this authorRoy Renkin, Roy Renkin Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Mammoth, Wyoming 82190 USASearch for more papers by this authorRick Lawrence, Rick Lawrence Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 September 2011 https://doi.org/10.1890/10-0169.1Citations: 31 Corresponding Editor: N. T. Hobbs. Read 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 onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract After nearly a century of height suppression, willows (Salix spp.) in the northern range of Yellowstone National Park, USA, are increasing in height growth as a possible consequence of wolf (Canis lupus) restoration, climate change, or other factors. Regardless of the drivers, the recent release of this rare but important habitat type could have significant implications for associated songbirds that are exhibiting declines in the region. Our objective was to evaluate bird response to releasing willows by comparing willow structure and bird community composition across three willow growth conditions: height suppressed, recently released, and previously tall (i.e., tall prior to the height increase of released willows). Released and previously tall willows exhibited high and similar vertical structure, but released willows were significantly lower in horizontal structure. Suppressed willows were significantly shorter and lower in horizontal cover than released or previously tall willows. Bird richness increased along a gradient from lowest in suppressed to highest in previously tall willows, but abundance and diversity were similar between released and previously tall willows, despite lower horizontal cover in the released condition. Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) and Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) were found in all three growth conditions; however, Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia), Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus), Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), and Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodii) were present in released and previously tall willows only. Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) was found in previously tall willows only, appearing to specialize on tall, dense willows. The results of our a priori habitat models indicated that foliage height diversity was the primary driver of bird richness, abundance, and diversity. These results indicate that vertical structure was a more important driver of bird community variables than horizontal structure and that riparian and willow-dependent bird species have responded positively to increased willow growth in the region. 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Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-09-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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