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Spatial dynamics of coastal forest bird assemblages: the influence of landscape context, forest type, and structural connectivity

Landscape Ecology volume 32, pages 547–561 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Context

Complex structural connectivity patterns can influence the distribution of animals in coastal landscapes, particularly those with relatively large home ranges, such as birds. To understand the nuanced nature of coastal forest avifauna, where there may be considerable overlap in assemblages of adjacent forest types, the concerted influence of regional landscape context and vegetative structural connectivity at multiple spatial scales warrants investigation.

Objectives

This study determined whether species compositions of coastal forest bird assemblages differ with regional landscape context or with forest type, and if this is influenced by structural connectivity patterns measured at multiple spatial scales.

Methods

Three replicate bird surveys were conducted in four coastal forest types at ten survey locations across two regional landscape contexts in northeast Australia. Structural connectivity patterns of 11 vegetation types were quantified at 3, 6, and 12 km spatial scales surrounding each survey location, and differences in bird species composition were evaluated using multivariate ordination analysis.

Results

Bird assemblages differed between regional landscape contexts and most coastal forest types, although Melaleuca woodland bird assemblages were similar to those of eucalypt woodlands and rainforests. Structural connectivity was primarily correlated with differences in bird species composition between regional landscape contexts, and correlation depended on vegetation type and spatial scale.

Conclusions

Spatial scale, landscape context, and structural connectivity have a combined influence on bird species composition. This suggests that effective management of coastal landscapes requires a holistic strategy that considers the size, shape, and configuration of all vegetative components at multiple spatial scales.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the following for funding support: BirdLife Australia, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Birds Queensland, and Ecological Society of Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Estuary and Coastal Wetland Ecosystems Research Group (ATSIP Building 145), College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    Christina A. Buelow, Ronald Baker & Marcus Sheaves

  2. TropWATER, Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    Christina A. Buelow, Ronald Baker & Marcus Sheaves

  3. Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    April E. Reside

Authors
  1. Christina A. Buelow
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  2. Ronald Baker
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  3. April E. Reside
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  4. Marcus Sheaves
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christina A. Buelow.

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Buelow, C.A., Baker, R., Reside, A.E. et al. Spatial dynamics of coastal forest bird assemblages: the influence of landscape context, forest type, and structural connectivity. Landscape Ecol 32, 547–561 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0461-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0461-z

Keywords

  • Species composition
  • Avifauna
  • Structural connectivity
  • Coastal forests
  • Spatial scale
  • Landscape context
  • Keystone structure