The influence of Corvus frugilegus nesting on soil parameters and plant composition in poor and fertile habitats

Lidia Borkowska,Elżbieta Królak,Paweł Kaczorowski,Zbigniew Kasprzykowski

doi:10.1007/s11355-014-0256-9

Lidia Borkowska, Elżbieta Królak + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-014-0256-9

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Abstract

The functioning of nesting colonies of birds can significantly affect the flora and the soil. Colony species that modify soil characteristics at their nesting sites include the Rook Corvus frugilegus. In order to assess the effect of this species on poor and fertile habitats, we analysed biogenic element concentrations and soil acidity, and investigated the taxonomic representation of plants under the nests and at control sites without nests. Two-way ANOVA showed that the habitats significantly differed in most of soil parameters. The presence of Rook colonies contributed to increased humidity and acidity of the soil and a higher biogenic element content. A varied influence of Rook colonies on plant species diversity was observed, depending on habitat type. Rook nesting caused a fall in the overall number of plant species in the poor habitats, and a corresponding rise in the fertile habitats. Rooks contributed to a rise in the mean number of ruderal species and a fall in the mean number of meadow species. A synergy between habitat type and collection site was identified in the case of ornithochorous species.

Highlights

Nesting birds change the chemical parameters of the soil and the specific representation of plants in their habitats
In order to assess the effect of this species on poor and fertile habitats, we analysed biogenic element concentrations and soil acidity, and investigated the taxonomic representation of plants under the nests and at control sites without nests
Among all the ecological groups of species that were analysed, only in the case of ornitochores did we find an interaction between habitat type and site type (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Nesting birds change the chemical parameters of the soil and the specific representation of plants in their habitats. A high accumulation of nutrients in the soil resulting from excrement deposition by birds can disturb the soil/plant balance and lead to changes in the functioning of land ecosystems. This results in diminished plant diversity, changes in the taxonomic representation or even a complete disappearance of some plants (Ishida 1997; Mun 1997; Beyer et al 2000; Khoreva and Mochalova 2009). Birds transport diaspores and deposit them in their habitats, affecting the development of the specific representation of phytocoenoses (Marone et al 2001; Clausen et al 2002; Czarnecka and Kitowski 2008; Khoreva and Mochalova 2009; Orłowski and Czarnecka 2009)

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