Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 3.2.
Planting-specialist bird species
A detailed study of the response of birds to different kinds of vegetation on a farm
has shown that some birds are plantings specialists. That is, they are significantly
more likely to be found in plantings than any other sort of vegetation on a farm. They
include several species thought to be declining and that are of conservation con-
cern, such as the Rufous Whistler, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin and Speckled
Warbler.
7
The structure of the vegetation within plantings is generally more dense and the
ground layer has higher levels of cover than elsewhere on a farm. These features
appear to provide suitable feeding and nesting sites for these planting-specialist bird
species.
3
As in Box 3.2, we have used birds to illustrate many
of the key topics in this chapter. There are several good
reasons for this, but the primary one is that birds have
received far greater attention from researchers than
reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, plants or indeed any other group. A second
reason (partially related to the first) is that many species of birds seem to respond
quickly and positively to plantings.
1, 3
This includes many species of birds that
breed successfully within plantings, sometimes only a few years after they are
established. Despite the bias toward birds in this chapter, we have included
examples from other groups wherever possible.
Having some plantings on
a farm is better than having
no plantings
Where should you plant?
Near streams and watercourses
Many landholders and natural resource managers
ask if there are places where plantings can be
located to maximise their effectiveness for wildlife.
Work that we have recently completed has indicated that
bird species diversity is highest in plantings established in
and around watercourses and riparian areas, particularly
where the land is flat.
3
On average, there are more than three
additional species of birds in these areas than in plantings away from watercourses
on steep slopes. Riparian areas provide ready access to open water for drinking,
and areas around streams and watercourses can support higher levels of
nutrients and water flow than elsewhere in a landscape. This promotes growth of
trees and other plants which can be important determinants of habitat suitability
for some animals.
The most species-
rich plantings for
birds are those
established around
watercourses
