Composition and abundance of birds in Andean alder (Alnus acuminata) patches with past and present harvest in Bolivia

We compared species richness and abundance of birds between five patches under selective Alnus exploitation and five patches that have not been harvested for at least 10 years prior to our study, during the early dry season (April-July 2001), in Cotapata National Park. Using “point counts” we recorded birds and their distribution in two (<1.5 m and >1.5 m) forest layers. Simultaneously we evaluated the floristic structure (size [dbh] distribution, basal area, tree density, tree height, and vegetation cover) and composition (diversity) on three transects placed within each Alnus patch. Both bird diversity and vegetation cover were significantly higher in not presently used patches but only for the higher layer of the forest, whereas plant diversity was higher in presently used patches. Lack of differences between the two types of Alnus patches in any of the vegetation parameters measured in the lower layer was coupled with an indistinct avifauna. Small changes in habitat characteristics following a perturbation like selective logging have the potential to affect richness and abundance of birds, at least within the habitats directly affected by the perturbation.     

Variation in stem-growth and branch-wood traits among provenances of Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth. from the Peruvian Amazon

Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth. is an important tree for timber, charcoal and firewood in the Peruvian Amazon. The first provenance trial was established on farms in three zones located in one watershed in the Peruvian Amazon. The three zones differ in soil fertility and rainfall. Seven provenances from the Peruvian Amazon were tested in all three zones. Variation in four stem-growth traits (height, diameter, number of nodes and branches) and two branch-wood traits (basic density, heat content) was analyzed 18 months after establishment. There were significant differences in stem height and number of stem nodes among provenances in the analysis across zones. Provenance-related variation in stem-growth traits was most significant in the zone with the most fertile soils and highest rainfall. Branch-wood traits did not vary significantly among provenances in the analysis across zones or within zones. Branch-wood heat content was correlated with latitude, increasing from north to south, but this was only observed in a zone with low soil fertility and intermediate rainfall. Branch-wood density was correlated positively with stem diameter in the driest zone, but negatively with stem nodes in the intermediate zone and with stem height in the wettest zone. Results illustrate the potential for selection of fast-growing provenances, and the importance of replicating trials on different test environments to detect variation among provenances.