THE USE OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN WETLANDS BY BREEDING BIRDS, WITH A FOCUS ON NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY SPECIES

摘要: Abstract Although loss of wetlands in southern Appalachia has been especially severe, no avian studies have conducted the vestiges these ecosystems. Our research assessed use Appalachian breeding seasons 1999 through 2001. Site analyses included 18 habitat variables, including total wetland area, area open water, beaver or livestock evidence, edge type (abrupt gradual), and percent cover nine vegetation types. We analyzed species richness abundance at community level guilds based on migratory status preference. Measures habitat—particularly those resulting from activities—and gradual edges were significantly correlated with guild- community-level variables. Evidence (i.e., forest gaps where trees had felled, ponds drainages dammed; hereafter referred to simply as “beaver evidence”) was greater ric...