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Factors influencing avian habitat selection between oak-hickory and mesic forests in southern Illinois

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration has declined drastically over the past century in eastern deciduous forests predominantly because of decreased disturbance (i.e., fire). Many forests are undergoing mesophication, a positive feedback system that occurs within closed-canopy systems wherein shade-tolerant, late successional, mesic species such as maples (Acer spp.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) outcompete fire-adapted oak. The Central Hardwood region is predicted to be the first major system to convert to climax succession. Numerous neotropical migrant populations have declined in this region. Oaks are a keystone species and provide many resources for forest birds; the ability of mesic species to provide similar resources is untested. To determine whether patches of distinct oak forest and mesic forest provide similar resources, we examined two nonexclusive habitat-selection hypotheses about avian abundance and distribution: (1) habitat heterogeneity and (2) availability and distribution of food resources. We predicted oak-dominated patches would provide greater heterogeneity and more food resources than mesic patches.

Parent Publication

Citation

Sierzega, Kevin P.; Eichholz, Michael W. 2014. Factors influencing avian habitat selection between oak-hickory and mesic forests in southern Illinois. In: Groninger, John W.; Holzmueller, Eric J.; Nielsen, Clayton K.; Dey, Daniel C., eds. Proceedings, 19th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2014 March 10-12; Carbondale, IL. General Technical Report NRS-P-142. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 102-103.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/47384