Bird communities in small woods in an agricultural landscape: Effects of area and isolation

Abstract

The distribution of breeding bird species in 68 small woodlots in two areas of agricultural landscape was investigated. Effects of area, habitat variation, interpatch distance, and distance from extensive woods were analysed with the help of multivariate techniques. No correlation was found between number of breeding bird species and isolation variables, but the degree of isolation was shown to affect the number of bird species restricted to mature woods. Species showed different responses to changes of area or isolation variables. It is concluded that, for several species of woodland birds, patches of mature woodland can be regarded as habitat islands. Some indications are given to apply the regression models found to landscape planning.