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Habitat selection of cavity-nesting birds in the Hyrcanian deciduous forests of northern Iran

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Ecological Research

Abstract

The Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran support a great diversity of bird species. Yet, the ecological relationships of cavity-nesting birds (CNBs), the main components of forest bird communities in this area, remain unknown. We examined the importance of ecological factors in 90 study plots during the breeding season to predict the probability distribution and habitat suitability of primary cavity nesters (PCNs), secondary cavity nesters (SCNs) and weak primary cavity nesters (WPCNs). Ecological factors included forest structure, habitat complexity, geographical attributes and dead tree features. The significant habitat parameters determining the presence-absence of each CNB species were also determined. PCN richness and abundance were most influenced by the density of larger trees, snags (standing dead trees) and logs (fallen dead trees). The densities of snags, logs and larger trees and the extent of the shrub layer influenced distributions of SCNs. The Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea) was the only WPCN identified, and its distribution was strongly affected by altitude and by larger snags and trees in complex habitats. Our results showed that CNB species could be classified in three groups: (1) species dependent on mature forests, (2) species dependent on younger forests and (3) species adaptable to different forest stages. Overall, snags and logs played vital roles in the habitat preferences of CNB communities as well as in forest structure and complexity.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mohammad Reza Marvi Mohajer and Abolghasem Khaleghi Zadeh for constructive comments, as well as all those who provided critical reviews of this manuscript, including two anonymous reviewers. We are especially grateful to Dr. Jim Anderson for support and encouragement. Special thanks to Dr. Derek A. Scott who proofread the final text and provided valuable advice and constructive criticism that improved the quality of the manuscript. This study was funded by the department of Research Affairs at the University of Tehran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

    Saeedeh Bani Assadi, Mohammad Kaboli & Maryam Ghadiri Khanaposhtani

  2. Department of Forestry and Forest Economy, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

    Vahid Etemad

  3. Biodiversity and Habitat Division, Environment and Energy Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Tohidifar

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  1. Saeedeh Bani Assadi
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  2. Mohammad Kaboli
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  3. Vahid Etemad
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Correspondence to Mohammad Kaboli.

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Bani Assadi, S., Kaboli, M., Etemad, V. et al. Habitat selection of cavity-nesting birds in the Hyrcanian deciduous forests of northern Iran. Ecol Res 30, 889–897 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1293-z

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