Bird Assemblages In A Mixed Woodland-Farmland Landscape: The Conservation Value Of Silviculture-Dependant Open Areas In Plantation Forest

摘要: Abstract Although considered by some as a less “ecologically suitable” forestry model than “near-natural” stand management, even-aged plantation forest with regeneration procedure involving clearcutting, creates temporary habitat for many early-successional birds. The present study addresses the question of conservation value birds clearcutting-related open areas in European temperate forest, context mixed woodland–farmland landscape. point count technique was used to census breeding on 300 sampling plots, distributed eight main types Ardenne region (southern Belgium), including agricultural land, edge habitats, closed habitats and forest. Most these derive from clearcutting practices, rapidly planted young Norway Spruce (Picea abies). We quantified given type using “conservation index”, integrating frequency occurrence each species their status Europe or southern Belgium. Both index richness were higher compared interior land. Detrended Correspondence Analysis plot lists showed that bird assemblages area are not intermediate between opposed external habitats. Hence, do contain composed colonizing but rather shelter specific assemblages. An Indicator Species analysis further emphasized this specificity identified seven species, which, context, form group Due major changes land use during 20th century, which leads tremendous decrease moor, heath fallow areas, clearcut openings progressively gained high at regional scale. Further studies about requirement interest inhabiting is needed, better understanding how react planning. If evolves an uneven-aged more permanently then other options, semi-natural restoration, urgently required save communities.