The Proportion of Three Foundation Plant Species and Their Genotypes Influence an Arthropod Community: Restoration Implications for the Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

摘要: As part of a restoration project, multiple genotypes two tree species, Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and Goodding's willow (Salix gooddingii), one shrub Coyote (S. exigua), were experimentally planted in different proportions at the Palo Verde Ecological Reserve near Blythe, California, U.S.A. These common woody plant species are important to endangered southwestern flycatcher, providing perch, nesting, foraging habitat. We conducted this study evaluate proportion genotype effects on arthropod community, prey base for flycatcher. Three patterns emerged. First, important; community had greatest richness diversity (H′) when was high lower; that is, fewer cottonwoods required positively affect overall diversity. Second, we found significant genotypic effects, all three accumulation. Third, while both planting significant, effect about twice as large genotype. This shows should be utilized projects maximize habitat heterogeneity richness. Similar studies can determine which specific may result more favorable flycatcher other concern. Greater attention design gains little or no additional project cost.