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Tree-Species Preferences of Foraging Insectivorous Birds: Implications for Floodplain Forest Restoration

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Tree-Species Preferences of Foraging Insectivorous Birds: Implications for Floodplain Forest Restoration Tree-Species Preferences of Foraging Insectivorous Birds: Implications for Floodplain Forest Restoration AARON P. GABBE,*§ SCOTT K. ROBINSONt, AND JEFFREY D. BRAWN* 'Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 515 Morrill Hall, University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801-3799, U.S.A. tDepartment of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution, 515 Morrill Hall, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801-3799, U.S.A. $ Illinois Natural History Survey and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, 607 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, U.S.A. Abstract: The tree-species composition of forests can be an important component of habitat selection by breeding birds. We examined tree-species use by observing the foraging behavior of 13 species of foliage- gleaning birds in floristically diverse floodplain forests in southern Illinois in 1997 and 1998. Twelve of 13 bird species foraged selectively with respect to tree species. The Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominicaj and Cerulean Warbler (D. ceruleaj were the most selective species, whereas the Yellow-throated Vireo, Red- eyed Vireo, and Eastern Tufted Titmouse (Vireo flavifrons, V. olivaceus, and Baeolophus bicolor, respectively) were the least selective. Three tree species were strongly preferred by most of the bird community: kingnut hickory, bittemut hickory, and silver maple (Carya laciniosa, C. cordiformis, and Acer saccharinum, respectively). Less common bird species tended to be more selective foragers than the more abundant bird species. The four most preferred trees were relatively uncommon where we sampled. Heavy-seeded hickories are slow to recolo- nize forests traditionally restored with common oak species (Quercus spp.). Therefore, restoring floristically diverse floodplain forests by planting preferred heavy-seeded and uncommon trees will enhance habitat qual- ity for birds in these forests. Preferencia de Aves Forrajeras Insectivoras por Especies de Arboles: Implicaciones en la Restauracion de Bosques de Llanuras Inundables Resumen: La composicion de especies de arboles de un bosque puede ser un componente importante de la seleccion de habitat por aves que estdn reproduciendose. Examinamos el uso de las especies de arboles medi- ante la observacion de la conducta de forrajeo de 13 especies de aves recolectoras defollaje en bosques de lla- nuras de inundacion floristicamente diversos del Sur de Illinois en 1997 y 1998. Doce de las 13 especies de aves forrajearon selectivamente con respecto a la especie de drbol. El Chipe Pecho Amarillo (Dendroica dominicaj y el Chipe Cureleano (T>. cureleaj fueron las especies mas selectivas, mientras que el Vireo Pecho Amarillo, el Vireo Ojirojo y el Paro Copetudo del Este (Vireo flavifrons, V. Olivaceus y Baeolophus bicolor, respectivamente) fueron los menos selectivos. Tres especies de arboles fueron altamente preferidas por la mayoria de la comunidad de aves: El nogal nuez-rey, el nogal de nuez amargay el arceplateado (Garya lacin- iosa, G Cordiformis y Acer saccharinum, respectivamente). Las especies de aves menos comunes tendieron a ser forrajeros mds selectivos que las especies de aves mds abundantes. Los cuatro arboles mas preferidos fu- eron relativamente poco comunes en los sitios muestreados. Los nogales altamente cargados de semillas son lentos para recolonizar bosques tradicionalmente restaurados mediante la siembra de especies comunes de robles (Quercus spp). Por lo tanto, la restauracion de bosques de llanuras de inundacion floristicamente di- versos mediante la siembra de arboles con muchas semillas y poco comunes enriquecerd la calidad del habi- tat para las aves de estos bosques. ^Current address: Department of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, U.S.A., email gabbe@cats. ucsc. edu Paper submitted October 29, 2000; revised manuscript accepted May 9, 2001. 462 Conservation Biology, Pages 462-470 Volume 16, No. 2, April 2002 Gabbe et al. Tree-Species Preferences of Foraging Birds 463 Introduction trol projects, and urbanization had reduced this rich and diverse ecosystem to approximately 2.2 million ha of frag- Conservation efforts for breeding forest birds in North mented forests (MacDonald et al. 1979) Although much America have focused on habitat loss and the adverse effort has been directed toward restoring native terres- effects of habitat fragmentation on reproductive success trial plant communities and ecosystems such as grass- (e.g., Robbins et al. 1989; Robinson 1992; Robinson et al. lands (e.g., Howe 1994; Wilson & Gerry 1995; Knapp & 1995). To alleviate the deleterious effects of habitat loss Rice 1996) and forests (e.g., Guariguata et al. 1995; Lamb and degradation, restoration has become increasingly 1998), less has been done to examine habitat restoration necessary (e.g., Koebel 1995; Kus 1998; Holl 1999). For for avian communities (but see Bradley & Bradley 1993; forest ecosystems, little attention has been given to the ef- Weller 1995; Kus 1998). Specifically, we addressed the fects of internal components such as floristic composition following questions: (1) Do foraging birds that breed on and vegetative structure—which are directly affected by our study sites in the LMRAV have foraging preferences restoration processes (Palmer et al. 1997)—on bird con- for tree species? (2) If so, do certain tree species play a servation. disproportionate role in the overall foraging ecology of The perceived importance of vegetation structure on the avian community? (3) What is the association be- the distribution and abundance of birds (Holmes & Robin- tween tree-species selectivity and local abundance of son 1981) has long overshadowed the effects of floristic birds? (4) How can data on tree-species preference be in- composition on avian community structure. Many studies tegrated into floodplain restoration and management? have correlated avian abundance and diversity with spe- cific structural characteristics such as foliage height diver- Methods sity and stem density (e.g., MacArthur & MacArthur 1961). Indeed, changes in forest structure from natural succes- Study Areas sion (Odum 1950; Holmes et al. 1986; Hunt 1998), log- ging (Titterington et al. 1979; Thompson & Capen 1988; Located in southern Illinois within the floodplain of the Greenberg et al. 1995), and browsing by herbivores Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, the Cache River Wetlands (Mountainspring et al. 1990; DeGraaf et al. 1991; Decalesta project is a large-scale effort to preserve and restore 24,000 1994) can lead to changes in populations of species. The ha (8000 ha of which are already forested) to bottomland long-term decline of the Least Flycatcher (Empidonax hardwood forest. Over 70% of the Cache watershed (1909 minimus) and Philadelphia Vireo (Vireophiladelphicus) km2) has been converted to agriculture, with forested at the Hubbard Brook forest in New Hampshire and de- wetlands remaining as fragments throughout the floodplain clines in American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) popula- (Cache River Area Assessment 1997). Currently, the agri- tions in Vermont and New Hampshire were attributed to cultural landscape is being reforested by replanting and al- successional changes in habitat structure (Holmes et al. lowing fields to return to forest through natural succession. 1986; Hunt 1998). Forest composition within the Cache River floodplain is Tree-species composition can affect avian community strongly influenced by hydrology and topography. Differ- structure, however (Franzreb 1978; Holmes & Robinson ent forest types are dispersed throughout the study sites, 1981; Rice et al. 1984; Robinson & Holmes 1984; Peck as described in the Cache River Area Assessment (1997). 1989) Morphological and behavioral adaptations for pro- Permanently inundated swamps are dominated by bald curing food and differences in prey abundance among cypress (Taxodium distichum) and tupelo (Nyssa tree species may lead to foraging preferences for certain aquatica). Seasonally wet/dry swamps are dominated by tree species, which can, in turn, dictate the distribu- bald cypress, tupelo, red maple (Acer rubrum var. tion and abundance of birds (Holmes & Robinson 1981; drummondii), pumpkin ash (Fraxinusprofunda), Whelan 1989; Parrish 1995a, 19956). Holmes and Rob- green ash (F. pennsylvanica), and sweetgum (Liquidam- inson (1981) found that rare, patchily distributed birds bar styraciflua), with occasional kingnut hickory (Carya are more selective foragers than common birds, and that laciniosa), pin oak (Quercuspalustris), Shumard's Oak (Q. some relatively rare tree species are strongly preferred shumardif), and overcup oak (Q. lyrata). Wet floodplain by birds. Identifying tree-species preferences of foraging forests are dominated by red maple, sugarberry (Celtis birds is therefore potentially important for land manag- laevigata), overcup oak, and swamp chestnut oak (Q. ers involved in conservation, particularly habitat restora- micbauxii), with occasional pin oak, sweet gum, cheny- tion, to provide high-quality habitat for the avian com- bark oak (Q. pagodaefolia), American elm (Ulmus munity. americana), bitternut hickory (C. cordiformis), kingnut We studied tree-species use by foraging birds to help hickory, and box elder (Acer negundo). guide floodplain forest restoration within the Lower Mis- To obtain a representative sample of floodplain forests sissippi River Alluvial Valley (LMRAV). The LMRAV histor-
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