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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Avian community changes following drought-induced canopy collapse in a Mediterranean-type forest
Pacific Conservation Biology, Vol.29(4), pp.312-324
2022
Abstract
Context: Extreme drought can result in the widespread die-off of forests and dramatically altered ecosystem structure. Such changes are likly to influence fauna using resouces within these forests.
Aims: Following a record hot and dry year/summer in 2010/11, large-scale canopy collapse occurred within a Mediterranean-type mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)–marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest in south-west Western Australia. We investigated the effects of this collapse on bird assemblages in 2016, 5 years after the initial collapse.
Methods: We carried out bird surveys using a standardised search method for five paired drought-affected and adjacent healthy forest plots.
Key results: A total of 3042 records of 51 bird species were observed across all surveys. Overall, the pooled (mean ± s.d.) reporting rates for drought-affected plots (13.84 ± 0.60 individuals/survey) were significantly less than the reporting rates for healthy plots (34.44 ± 1.03 individuals/survey) (PERMANOVA: F1 = 54.94, R2 = 0.31, P = 0.001). Species diversity was also higher in healthy plots (t26 = 11.21, P < 0.001). Foliage-searching birds were the most abundant guild across all plots and were reported less often in drought-affected plots (t6 = 2.70, P < 0.04).
Conclusions: Drought-affected jarrah forest plots exhibited significant differences in bird assemblages compared to healthy plots. Overall, the drought-affected forest provides a less favourable habitat for birds compared to healthy forest.
Implications: With marked variability and extreme climate events predicted for the future, understanding the impacts of such changes will contribute to how we manage forest ecosystems.
Details
- Title
- Avian community changes following drought-induced canopy collapse in a Mediterranean-type forest
- Authors/Creators
- S. Smithies (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityP.A. Fleming (Author/Creator)P.W. Bateman (Author/Creator)G.E.St.J. Hardy (Author/Creator)S.J. Dundas (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Pacific Conservation Biology, Vol.29(4), pp.312-324
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005545271607891
- Copyright
- © 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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