Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yrvgqtwzg9
The habitat selection of hole-nesting birds in riverine forests along Drava river in Croatia
Mario Slatki
orcid.org/0000-0002-0092-9392
; Second Gymnasium Varaždin, Varaždin, Croatia
Abstract
The influence of floristic and structural habitat characteristics on primary
and secondary hole-nesting bird community characteristics was
studied. Research was conducted at 66 points in riverine forest stands
near the Drava River in Croatia. The standard point count method was
used to study bird communities, and the circular plot method to study
habitat characteristics. The average tree basal area was used as an indicator
of age. The studied points were classified into four groups according
to the dominant tree species. Forest habitat was found to be very heterogeneous.
A total of 13 bird species were recorded (five primary and eight
secondary hole-nesters). The results showed that the number of bird species,
as well as their abundance, depend on both structural and floristic
compositions of forest communities. Older forest stands had higher diversity
of bird communities and higher abundance. Birds selected mixed
and ash forest, and floristic characteristics had greater impact on the composition
of secondary hole-nesters community. The number of species
and the abundance of secondary hole-nesters were positively correlated
with the number of species and the abundance of primary hole-nesters.
The results may serve as a guideline for sustainable forest management.
Keywords
bird community; hole-nesters; forest habitat structure; forest age
Hrčak ID:
293581
URI
Publication date:
10.2.2023.
Visits: 382 *