Matrix Matters: Effects of Surrounding Land Uses on Forest Birds Near Ottawa,Canada |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Wendy?DunfordEmail author Kathryn?Freemark |
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Institution: | (1) Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Research Lab, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, Carleton University, K1S 5B6 Ontario, Ottawa, Canada;(2) National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment Canada, K1A 0H3 Ontario, Ottawa, Canada;(3) Present address: Species at Risk Branch, Canadian Wildlife Service, 351 St. Joseph Boulevard, K1A 0H3 Quebec, Gatineau, Canada;(4) National Indicators Reporting Office, Knowledge Integration Directorate, Environment Canada, 70 Cremazie St, KIA OH Quebec, Gatineau, Canada |
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Abstract: | Matrix quality affects probability of persistence in habitat patches in landscape simulation models while empirical studies
show that both urban and agricultural land uses affect forest birds. However, due to the fact that forest bird abundance and
species richness can be strongly influenced by local habitat factors, it is difficult to analyze matrix effects without confounding
effects from such factors. Given this, our objectives were to (1) relate human-dominated land uses to forest bird abundance
and species richness without confounding effects from other factors; (2) determine the scale at which forest birds respond
to the matrix; and (3) identify whether certain bird migratory strategies or habitat associations vary in richness or abundance
as a function of urban and agriculture land uses. Birds were surveyed at a single point count site 100 m from the edge of
23 deciduous forest patches near Ottawa, Ontario. Land uses surrounding each patch were measured within increasingly large
circles from 200 to 5000 m radius around the bird survey site. Regression results suggest that effects of urban and agricultural
land uses on forest birds (1) are not uniformly positive or negative, (2) can occur at different spatial scales, and (3) differentially
affect certain groups of species. In general, agriculture appeared to affect species at a broad spatial scale (within 5 km),
while urban land use had an impact at both a narrower spatial scale (within 1.8 km) and at the broad scale. Neotropical and
short distance migrant birds seemed to be the most sensitive to land use intensification within the matrix. Limiting urban
land use within approximately 200–1800 m of forest patches would be beneficial for Neotropical migrant birds, which are species
of growing conservation concern in temperate North America. |
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Keywords: | Agricultural intensity Forest birds Land use Matrix Multi-scale Urbanization |
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