Managed forest landscape structure and avian species richness in the southeastern US

Forest structural features at the stand scale (e.g., snags, stem density, species composition) and habitat attributes at larger spatial scales (e.g., landscape pattern, road density) can influence biological diversity and have been proposed as indicators in sustainable forestry programs. This study investigated relationships between such factors and total richness of breeding birds based on data from four studies within highly forested landscapes in the southeastern United States (Arkansas, South Carolina, and West Virginia) that were managed for commercial forest products. Habitat attributes were developed from forest inventory data and other information at the stand level and in circular buffers with radii of 250, 500 m, and 1 km around each sample point. Species accumulation curves for all study sites indicated greater richness in the youngest stands, with greater landscape age heterogeneity, and with proximity of sample points to roads. However, bird richness was not related to distance to nearest water or stream density at any scale. Pine forests had the most species at two of three sites where pine forests occurred. Stand biomass and basal area were generally not predictive of avian richness. Watersheds within the Arkansas site under more intensive management showed greater bird diversity. Overall, forest management appeared to have a positive effect on total bird richness.