Correlation between the avian community and habitat at different water levels during spring migration in Zhalong National Nature Reserve,China

Zhalong National Nature Reserve （Zhalong） is an important stopover for migratory birds. In recent decades, Zhalong has become the focus of researchers and public discussion in relation to irrigation. We studied relationships between birds and habitats at different water levels to guide development of more effective habitat management measures. We used line transects to survey bird numbers and distribution during April-May from 2005-2009 at Zhalong, and used cluster analysis and Chi-Square tests to analyze data. We recorded 139 bird species of 39 families and 13 orders during spring migration, including Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Ciconiiformes, Columbiformes, Coraciiformes, Cucu- liformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Passeriformes, Pici- formes, Podicipediformes, Strigiformes. Dominant vegetation and geo- graphic region were the main influence factors of avian distribution. Different ecological groups preferred different water levels （p〈0.01） and different habitat types （p〈0.01）. Grallatores, Natatores and Passeres were the main ecological groups in different wetland habitats, and reed marsh and lake are the main habitats for management. Grallatores preferred reed marsh and lake with water levels 〉30 cm and 5-15 cm. Natatores preferred lakes with deep water （〉30 cm）. Passeres preferred open forest and reed marsh with no surface water. Different avian ecological groups occupied specific habitats depending on water level and we recorded some overlaps in bird distribution.

A preliminary analysis of the response of an avian community to silvicultural treatments in the southern Cumberland Plateau, Alabama, USA

We simulated a shelterwood forest regeneration treatment by reducing basal area,and monitored the response of an avian community in oak–hickory forest on the southern Cumberland Plateau,northern Alabama,USA.We used five treatments:control(no removal),clear-cut(100%removal),and 25,50,and 75%removal of basal area.Territory mapping was used to quantify bird community between mid-April and July of both 2002 and 2003.Microclimate variables were recorded at each plot.The residual basal area and canopy cover showed three distinct conditions after treatment:closed canopy,open forest,and clear-cut.The microclimate varied among treatments:air temperature was highest in clear-cut plots and lowest in control plots,whereas soil moisture had the opposite pattern.A total of 71 bird species were detected,with 36 of them defending territories.Territory density,species richness,and Shannon diversity index differed among the treatments;the relationship between these bird community indices and the level of basal area removal was quadratic,lowest in the clear-cut plots and highest in the intermediate levels.Although species richness was similar among the control,25,50,and 75%removal treatments,species composition varied.The richness difference among treatments became smaller in the second year post-treatment(2003)with an increase in bird density and richness occurring in the clear-cut plots.