Are birds influenced in winter by forest size?

Abstract

This study sought to develop an understanding of the relationships between bird species and forest size in urban areas in Daejeon, Korea. Bird communities were surveyed in winter (November 2012) by line transect methods in 35 urban forests, ranging in size from 2.1 to 1936 ha. Thirty-three bird species were observed across all forests, and 24 species (73%) were residents. As forest size increased, bird species richness and diversity index (H′) increased. Moreover, the presence of yellow-throated bunting Emberiza elegans and jay Garrulus glandarius was significantly correlated with forest size in this study. Remnant forest size is a main determinant of avian species presence and diversity in urban areas. Long-term ecological studies on diet, resource use, and interaction among individuals or species are needed to better understand and conserve the avian communities in these urban areas.