Diversity and Abundance of Breeding Birds in a Managed Loblolly Pine Forest in Louisiana

• Published in: The American midland naturalist 2007-04, Vol.157 (2), p.329-344
• Main Authors: LEGRAND, HOLLY G, CHAMBERLAIN, MICHAEL J, BARRY MOSER, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aves; Aviculture; Biodiversity; Bird nesting; Birds; Chemical spills; Contents; Data collection; Ecosystems; Environmental monitoring; Forest habitats; Forest management; Forest stands; Habitat conservation; Pinus taeda; Stand age; Warblers; Wildlife conservation; Wildlife management
• ISSN: 0003-0031; 1938-4238
• DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031(2007)157[329:DAAOBB]2.0.CO;2

Declines of numerous Neotropical migrant birds have been attributed to habitat destruction and alteration. Forest management activities may promote changes to habitat components and, with the increase in commercial forestry in the South, information on Neotropical migrants in managed forests is needed. We examined the avian communities and habitat characteristics of four forest age classes at Ben's Creek Wildlife Management Area, a managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest in eastern Louisiana during the 2003 and 2004 summer breeding seasons. Mean species richness and relative diversity in 4–5 and 13–23 y stands were similar and greater than 7–9 y stands, and similar in 1 y stands to other age classes. Of 17 guilds (habitat, foraging and nesting) examined, relative abundance was similar across stand age only for second growth inhabitants and ground gleaning foragers. Frequency of occurrence varied across stand age for 17 of 19 species analyzed. Late-successional bird species occurred with greater frequency in 13–23 y stands, whereas occurrence of early-successional bird species was greater in 1 y and 4–5 y stands. Birds of conservation concern detected included both early- and late-successional species. Mean bird community conservation value was similar across stand age. Effects of stand age appear to benefit certain species, but are potentially costly for others. Efforts to combine management of timber and conservation of songbirds must consider both species habitat requirements and the distribution of these requirements in the landscape.