Species composition of bird communities and the conservation benefit of large versus small forests

Abstract:

Preservation of many species depends on the existence of parks and wildlife reserves that form islands of natural habitat. Isolated patches of forest provide habitat islands for many bird species in the heavily farmed region of east-central Illinois. Here we use data collected from 12 forest patches, ranging in size from 1·8 to 600 ha, to examine the benefit of two small reserves relative to a single large reserve. Observed and pbkp_redicted species overlap values are used to determine whether one or two forest patches are more likely to support a greater number of species. Two reserves were more likely to support a greater species total. However, long-distance migrants and forest-interior species were poorly represented in small forests and a single large reserve was more likely to support greater species totals for these groups. The reverse was true for short-distance migrants and permanent residents. © 1984.

Año de publicación:

1984

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus