Study

Effect of border-edge cuts on birds at woodlot edges in southwestern Pennsylvania

  • Published source details Fleming K.K. & Giuliano W.M. (1998) Effect of border-edge cuts on birds at woodlot edges in southwestern Pennsylvania. Journal of Wildlife Management, 62, 1430-1437.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Manage woodland edges for birds

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Manage woodland edges for birds

    A replicated, controlled and paired study in May-June 1996 on a mixed woodland-farmland site in Pennsylvania, USA (Fleming & Giuliano 1998), found that bird abundance was higher in 12 woodland edges subject to border-edge cuts than in 12 control (uncut) edges (8 species/100 m of cut edge vs. 6 species/100 m of uncut edge). Cut edges also contained more shrub and edge-nesting species (25 vs. 17 species), but contained fewer woodland species (nine vs. 23 species). Whilst 13 of 60 species recorded were only found in cut edges, 23 of 60 were only found in uncut edges. Overall species richness and nesting success estimates were no different between edge types (14 species/site and 54% success for 35 nests in cut edges vs. 15 species/site and 52% for 25 nests in controls). Cut edges consisted on felling trees 15-40 m into each woodlot and leaving the debris in place. This occurred two or three years before bird surveys were conducted.

     

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