Abstract
Documenting the evolving processes associated with habitat restoration and how long it takes to detect avian demographic responses is crucial to evaluate the success of restoration initiatives and to identify ways to improve their effectiveness. The importance of this endeavor prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to evaluate their sun‐to‐shade coffee restoration program in Puerto Rico initiated in 2003. We quantified the responses of 12 resident avian species using estimates of local occupancy and extinction probabilities based on surveys conducted in 2015–2017 at 65 restored farms grouped according to time‐since‐initial‐restoration (TSIR): new (2011–2014), intermediate (2007–2010), and old (2003–2006). We also surveyed 40 forest sites, which served as reference sites. Vegetation complexity increased with TSIR, ranging between 35 and 40% forest cover in farms 6–9 years TSIR. Forest specialists (e.g. Loxigilla portoricencis) exhibited highest average occupancy in farms initially classified as intermediate (6–9 years) and old (>10 years), paralleling occupancy in secondary forests. Occupancy of open‐habitat specialists (e.g. Tiaris olivaceus) was more variable, but higher in recently restored farms. Restoring the shade layer has the potential to heighten ecological services derived from forest specialists (e.g. frugivores) without losing the services of many open‐habitat specialists (e.g. insectivores). Annual local extinction probability for forest specialists decreased with increasing habitat complexity, strengthening the potential value of shade restoration as a tool to enhance habitat for avifauna that evolved in forested landscapes.
Highlights
Shade-coffee agro-ecosystems have been shown to promote avian persistence and diversity (Komar 2006; Borkhataria et al 2012a; Philpott et al 2008; Gleffe et al 2006; Wunderle and Latta 1998)
We recorded 18, 25 and 24 tree species in each of the time since restoration (TSR) categories, including the 4 species used in the shade restoration program (Appendix 1)
Average densities of trees and shrubs were similar among TSR (P
Summary
Finca Juan Montalvo (N18° 16.154' W66° 36.682'; 8.38 ha) showing change in forest cover. The conservation value extends to avian species, in part, due to shade layer’s unique structural features that provide ideal foraging habitat (Brash 1987; Wunderle and Latta 1998; Moguel and Toledo 1999; Philpott et al 2008; Bakermans et al 2012; McDermott et al 2015). RESTORED COFFEE PLANTATIONS IN PUERTO RICO ABSTRACT Shade coffee plantations have high conservation value because they foster avian persistence and supply numerous ecological services. We quantified occupancy probability and abundance of members of the resident avian community as a function of time since shade restoration as measures to gauge the success of the program. Our study documented that the primary beneficiaries of the program are, as expected, are forest-dependent species This response occurs without completely losing open dwellers (e.g., insectivores) that provide ecosystem services to farmers (e.g., pest control). We inform conservation design by providing a time frame when conservation rewards (e.g., changes in occupancy or abundance) are more readily detected relative to time since restoration
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