Tall Vegetation Research Articles

Nestling diet of the Common Magpie (Pica pica) in urban and agricultural habitats

Several processes may be responsible for the urbanization of the Common Magpie (Pica pica), a species spreading widely in European towns during the last 50 years. Greater supply or better availability of food could play a role in the successful colonization of urban habitats by this species. We compared the nestling diet of Magpies within (urban) and adjacent to the city (rural) of Prague, Czech Republic, using the neck-collar method, and studied parental foraging behavior and micro-habitat associations in the city of Prague. Although the nestling diet was different between urban and rural areas, invertebrates (mainly Coleoptera) were the most frequent prey in both areas. Anthropogenic food was more abundant in urban than in rural areas. The nestling diet differed from the potentially available food supply in both urban and rural areas: Annelida and Lepidoptera were preferred, while Isopoda, Diplopoda, Orthoptera and Hymenoptera were neglected. In urban areas, Magpies foraged actively (i.e., by walking) and by perching. Prey was collected mostly from the ground. Magpies foraged mainly at sites covered with short vegetation. Utilization of short vegetation was proportional to its availability, whereas tall vegetation was used less than could be expected by availability. Short vegetation dominated the home ranges of Magpies in urban areas, while tall vegetation was more common in the Magpie home ranges in rural areas.

Territory choice during the breeding tenure of male sedge warblers

A territorial male can shift the location of its territory from year to year in order to increase its quality. The male can base its decision on environmental cues or else on its breeding experiences (when territory shift is caused by breeding failure in previous seasons). We tested these possible mechanisms of territory choice in the sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), a territorial migrating passerine that occupies wetlands. This species bases its territory choices on an environmental cue: tall wetland vegetation cover. We found that the magnitude of territory quality improvement between seasons (measured as the area of tall wetland vegetation) increased throughout the early stages of a male's breeding career as a result of territory shifts dependent on the earliness of arrival. The distance the territory was shifted between seasons depended negatively on the previous year's territory quality and, less clearly, on the previous year's mating success. On the other hand, previous mating or nesting success had no influence on territory quality improvement between seasons as measured in terms of vegetation. The results imply that tall wetland vegetation is a long-term, effective environmental cue and that a preference for territories in which this type of landcover prevails has evolved into a rigid behavioral mechanism, supplemented by short-term individual experiences of breeding failure.

Butterfly distribution and abundance is affected by variation in the Swedish forest-farmland landscape

Remaining patches of semi-natural grasslands are hot spots for biodiversity in modern agricultural landscapes. In Sweden semi-natural pastures cover approximately 500,000ha. However, power-line corridors, road verges and clear-cuts cover larger areas (in total about 2,000,000ha), and these open, less intensively managed habitats are potentially important for species associated with taller vegetation and flower resources (e.g. pollinating insects). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative importance of semi-natural pastures and the other three open habitats for butterflies in 12 forest-farmland mosaic landscapes in south central Sweden. Species composition differed significantly between habitats in multivariate analyses. Power-line corridors and semi-natural pastures harbored several species that were disproportionally abundant in these habitats (13 and 8 species, respectively), and power-line corridors also harbored several species that were classified as typical in indicator species analyses. There were more butterfly species, higher abundances and a tendency for more individuals of red-listed species in power-line corridors than in the other three habitats. Effects of the surrounding landscape composition seemed to be weaker than that of the local habitat. However, species composition was significantly associated with landscape composition and species with intermediate and low mobility were more abundant in forested landscapes than in landscapes dominated by arable fields. Analyses of flying time and host plants for larvae suggest that early flying species and species associated with dwarf shrubs were more common in power-line corridors than in the other habitats. A landscape perspective, which takes several habitats into account, is needed for conservation of butterfly communities in forest-farmland landscapes. Power-line corridors and road verges offer possibilities for creating habitats that are suitable for pollinating insects through conservation-oriented management.

Synergistic Interactions within Disturbed Habitats between Temperature, Relative Humidity and UVB Radiation on Egg Survival in a Diadromous Fish

Anthropogenic impacts, including urbanization, deforestation, farming, and livestock grazing have altered riparian margins worldwide. One effect of changes to riparian vegetation is that the ground-level light, temperature, and humidity environment has also been altered. Galaxias maculatus, one of the most widely distributed fishes of the southern hemisphere, lays eggs almost exclusively beneath riparian vegetation in tidally influenced reaches of rivers. We hypothesized that the survival of these eggs is greatly affected by the micro-environment afforded by vegetation, particularly relating to temperature, humidity and UVB radiation. We experimentally reduced riparian vegetation height and altered shading characteristics, tracked egg survival, and used small ground-level temperature, humidity and UVB sensors to relate survival to ground-level effects around egg masses. The ground-level physical environment was markedly different from the surrounding ambient conditions. Tall dense riparian vegetation modified ambient conditions to produce a buffered temperature regime with constant high relative humidity, generally above 90%, and negligible UVB radiation at ground-level. Where vegetation height was reduced, frequent high temperatures, low humidity, and high UVB irradiances reduced egg survival by up to 95%. Temperature effects on egg survival were probably indirect, through reduced humidity, because developing eggs are known to survive in a wide range of temperatures. In this study, it was remarkable how such small variations in relatively small sites could have such a large effect on egg survival. It appears that modifications to riparian vegetation and the associated changes in the physical conditions of egg laying sites are major mechanisms affecting egg survival. The impacts associated with vegetational changes through human-induced disturbances are complex yet potentially devastating. These effects are particularly important because they affect a very small portion of habitat that is required to complete the life history of a species, despite the wide distribution of adults and juveniles across aquatic and marine environments.

Occurrence of CorncrakesCrex crexin mosaic farmland landscapes in south-central Sweden – effects of habitat and landscape structure

SummaryMost studies of Corncrakes have been conducted in grasslands used for hay-cutting, and earlier hay-cutting has been suggested as the main cause of population decline in this species. Less is known about habitat preferences in relation to other land-uses and landscape structure. This paper investigated habitat composition and landscape structure in territories and at random sites in arable fields and meadows in south-central Sweden. Calling Corncrakes preferred sites with tall vegetation, moist ground, and locations close to ditches (55% of territories). Suitable conditions occurred on abandoned unmanaged wet meadows (31% of territories), mown wet meadows (14%), leys (30%) and non-rotational set-asides (15% of territories). Corncrakes avoided annual crops and other crops with short vegetation in the spring. Cutting of vegetation before mid-July was recorded in 21% of the territories and resulted in 100% abandonment of these sites. In contrast to many other ground nesting farmland birds, Corncrakes did not avoid forest edges (42% of territories within 100 m of edges). A strategy to conserve Corncrake populations should focus on maintenance of moist natural and sown grasslands (unmanaged or mown late) with tall vegetation and prevention of succession to woodland. Target areas should be in forested landscapes, because many other meadow birds that are more dependent on management (e.g. yearly mowing or grazing) prefer open landscapes.

Urban Domestic Gardens: The Effects of Human Interventions on Garden Composition

Private domestic gardens contribute substantially to the biodiversity of urban areas and benefit human health and well-being. We previously reported a study of 267 gardens across five cities in the United Kingdom in which variation in geographical and climatic factors had little bearing on the richness, diversity and composition of plant species. We therefore hypothesise that garden management is an important factor in determining garden characteristics. Here, from the same sample of gardens, we investigate potential associations between the uses to which people put their gardens, the types of management activities they undertake, and the characteristics of those gardens. Householders (n=265) completed a questionnaire detailing various aspects of garden use and management activities. The majority of respondents used their gardens chiefly for relaxation, recreation, and eating. Fewer than one fifth included "gardening" amongst their garden uses even though all performed some garden management, suggesting that not all management activity resulted from an interest in gardening. Garden-watering and lawn-mowing were the most prevalent activities and were predictors of other types of management including weeding, vegetation-cutting, leaf-collection, and dead-heading flowers. A number of these activities were associated with one another, the richness and composition of plant species, and the number of land uses in gardens. However, relationships between management activities and the amount of tall vegetation were less consistent, and garden management appeared to be independent of garden area. More species of amphibians, birds, and mammals were observed in gardens with ponds and in which efforts were made to attract wildlife, particularly by providing drinking water. This study supports the hypothesis that garden use and management is associated with garden characteristics.

Impacts of Oil and Gas Development on Wintering Grassland Birds at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas

Padre Island National Seashore provides important habitat for declining wintering grassland birds, yet oil and gas development is widespread in the Park. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of resource extraction on the wintering grassland birds of the Park. In January—March 2007 and 2008, we surveyed 5 active and 4 abandoned well sites and 4 road sites to investigate the relationship between distance from disturbance (well pads, access roads) and bird abundance. At road sites, bird abundance was positively correlated with increased distance from road edge, but we found no linear relationship at active or abandoned well sites. However, mean bird abundance in the first (0–30 m) distance interval of active well transects was less than half that at the second interval, and was the lowest value for all active intervals except the ninth. First-interval abundance at active wells was lower than abundance at any abandoned well interval. Road transects likewise showed low abundance in the initial interval, although unlike at active wells, abundance increased steadily with distance from the center of disturbance. This trend of lower overall numbers at the first interval of active well transects was driven largely by Sturnella magna (Eastern Meadowlark) and S. neglecta (Western Meadowlark). A combination of high noise levels near active well pads and lack of tall vegetation from which to sing may have contributed to low numbers of meadowlarks, which were the only birds to sing regularly during the study period. We recommend: (1) reducing noise at active sites, (2) limiting vegetation disturbance near pads and roads, (3) maintaining existing perch sites, and (4) limiting road construction.

Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Dutch Peatland Water Bodies: Importance of the Surrounding Landscape

Methane and carbon dioxide fluxes were quantified for 14 ditches and larger water bodies in Dutch peatlands, surrounded by different habitat types, using concentration changes in floating flux chambers. Average fluxes from these waters were 11 ± 2 (mean ± SE) mg CH4 m−2 h−1 (n = 66) and 86 ± 21 mg CO2 m−2 h−1 (n = 55). Variability among water bodies was substantial in both gases and could be explained by water depth and surrounding habitat. Ditches in intensively used dairy land or rough pastures had significantly higher CH4 emission rates (17 ± 6 and 18 ± 8 mg CH4 m−2 h−1) than those in reed and sedge beds or open water (7 ± 1 and 5 ± 2 mg CH4 m−2 h−1). Bubbles contributed between 34 and 69% to the total CH4 flux, with higher proportions observed in ditches sheltered by tall vegetation. Observed day-time CO2 fluxes were either positive (shaded ditches in reed and sedge stands or rough pasture; 120–150 mg CO2 m−2 h−1) or did not differ from zero (open water, ditches in intensively managed pasture). Since these peatlands have substantial areas of permanent surface water (6–43%), landscape-scale carbon flux estimates are improved by incorporating specific flux estimates for these waters.

The effects of sampling method and vegetation type on the estimated abundance of Ixodes ricinus ticks in forests

Estimating the spatial and temporal variation in tick abundance is of great economical and ecological importance. Entire-blanket dragging is the most widely used method to sample free-living ixodid ticks. However, this technique is not equally efficient in different vegetation types. The height and structure of the vegetation under study will not only determine the likelihood of a tick-blanket contact, but will also determine the rate of dislodgement. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine whether the alternative strip-blanket is more effectively in picking up ticks than the standard entire-blanket. Sampling was carried out in four forest understory vegetation types that differed in height and structure on five collection dates between April and September 2008. A total of 8,068 Ixodes ricinus ticks was collected (778 adults, 1,920 nymphs, and 5,370 larvae). The highest numbers of ticks were collected along the forest trails, where the dominant vegetation consisted of short grasses. The lowest numbers of ticks were collected in bracken-fern-dominated sites, where the vegetation seriously hampered tick sampling. Surprisingly, in each vegetation type, significantly more nymphs and adults were collected using the entire-blanket. However, the strip-blanket was more effectively in collecting larvae, especially in dense and tall vegetation.

Species richness and composition of bird communities in various field margins of Poland

A study was conducted to determine the occurrence of bird species in relation to 70 field margins of an agricultural landscape in SW Poland. Three types of margins were divided according to the volume of tall vegetation, i.e. herbaceous, shrubby, and tree lined. Fifty breeding bird species were recorded, with a mean density of 33.2 pairs/km. The dominant species were non-threatened and were characteristic of forests or of the field-forest mosaic. Tree lined margins showed the highest abundance and bird species richness. Shrubby margins supported the second highest, while open habitats ranked last. Abundances in ecological guilds were affected by the margin type, the presence of field roads, and especially the presence of ditches in the margin structure. Redundancy Analysis showed clear differences in bird communities between the discernable types of field margins. Species richness increased in the combinations of various margin types. In heterogeneous farmland environmental policy should aim at maintaining various types of field margins at high density in the agricultural landscape.

Magnitude and variability of land evaporation and its components at the global scale

Abstract. A process-based methodology is applied to estimate land-surface evaporation from multi-satellite information. GLEAM (Global Land-surface Evaporation: the Amsterdam Methodology) combines a wide range of remotely-sensed observations to derive daily actual evaporation and its different components. Soil water stress conditions are defined from a root-zone profile of soil moisture and used to estimate transpiration based on a Priestley and Taylor equation. The methodology also derives evaporationfrom bare soil and snow sublimation. Tall vegetation rainfall interception is independently estimated by means of the Gash analytical model. Here, GLEAM is applied daily, at global scale and a quarter degree resolution. Triple collocation is used to calculate the error structure of the evaporation estimates and test the relative merits of two different precipitation inputs. The spatial distribution of evaporation – and its different components – is analysed to understand the relative importance of each component over different ecosystems. Annual land evaporation is estimated as 67.9 × 103 km3, 80% corresponding to transpiration, 11% to interception loss, 7% to bare soil evaporation and 2% snow sublimation. Results show that rainfall interception plays an important role in the partition of precipitation into evaporation and water available for runoff at a continental scale. This study gives insights into the relative importance of precipitation and net radiation in driving evaporation, and how the seasonal influence of these controls varies over different regions. Precipitation is recognised as an important factor driving evaporation, not only in areas that have limited soil water availability, but also in areas of high rainfall interception and low available energy.

Characteristics of road‐kill locations of San Clemente Island foxes

AbstractMortalities from collisions with vehicles have created concern for the welfare of the San Clemente Island fox (Urocyon littoralis clementae); 1 of only 6 genetically distinct subspecies of island fox. To find possible solutions for minimizing these mortalities, we compared 9 characteristics of roads and roadsides at kill‐sites and control‐sites to ascertain whether certain features were associated with risk of collisions. We found that kill‐sites were positively associated with the volume of traffic, and negatively associated with the distance of motorists' visibility, which had not been previously identified for island foxes. Additionally, visual obstructions along roadsides (i.e., steep ditches and tall vegetation) showed some evidence of increasing mortalities. We also found that gravel mounds, a possible pseudo‐barrier along roadsides, were associated with reduced mortalities. Speeds of vehicles, presence of drainages, cacti, and culverts, and seasonality showed minimal effects on road‐kills. Our findings suggest that efforts to reduce mortalities should focus on roads with high volumes of traffic and high amounts of visual obstruction for motorists. Possible methods for reducing road‐kills include installing signs and speed bumps on curves of roads, regular mowing of roadsides, constructing gravel‐mound barriers along edges of roads, and educating motorists. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

Determination of PM 10 deposition based on antimony flux to selected urban surfaces

Deposition of PM 10 particles to several types of urban surfaces was investigated within this study. Antimony was chosen as a tracer element to calculate dry deposition velocities for PM 10, since antimony proved to be present almost exclusively in PM 10 particles in ambient urban air. During 18 months, eight sampling sites in Berlin and Karlsruhe, two cities in Germany, were operated. PM 10 concentrations and dry deposition were routinely sampled as two week averages. Additionally, leaf-samples were collected at three sites with tall vegetation. The obtained deposition velocities ranged from 0.8 to 1.3 cm s −1 at roadside sites and from 0.4 to 0.5 cm s −1 at the other sites. With reference to the whole canopy, additional deposition velocities of about 0.5 cm s −1 were obtained for leaf surfaces. As a consequence, it can be concluded that vegetation-covered areas beside streets show the highest potential to capture particles in urban areas.

Density and habitat preferences of male little bustard across contrasting agro-pastoral landscapes in Sardinia (Italy)

The little bustard Tetrax tetrax has undergone severe range contraction within Europe due to abandonment of traditional agro-pastoral activities. Previous studies of habitat selection have mainly focused on extensive cereal and cropland mosaics, while the species’ ecology in pastoral landscapes is understood less well, and data are completely lacking from the Sardinian population. We conducted distance sampling surveys of displaying males across three contrasting landscapes in Sardinia and modelled habitat preference at both the landscape and local (within pastures and recent fallows) scale. Abbasanta, with a balance of pasture and cropland, the greatest isolation from roads and shortest vegetation, supported the highest little bustard densities (95%CI 2.7–3.4 males/100 ha). Significantly lower densities were found in two landscapes with lower isolation from roads and taller vegetation within grasslands: Campeda (0.1–0.2 males/100 ha), comprising cropland and pasture in similar proportions to those found at Abbasanta, and Campidano (0.3–0.4 males/100 ha) that was dominated by cereal agriculture. At the landscape level, males preferred pastures and recent fallows over arable lands. At the local scale, within grasslands, probability of occurrence was greater with shorter vegetation, more legume and green herb cover and at points remote from roads. Shorter vegetation in grasslands resulted from high grazing pressure, and habitat suitability for breeding males depends strongly on extensively grazed grasslands. Conservation efforts for this species should focus on maintaining traditional agro-pastoral practices which maintain large areas of extensively grazed pastures and recent fallows located far from roads.

Determination of plant characteristics used in discharge capacity assessment of Turkey Creek watershed on South Carolina coastal plain, USA

Determination of plant characteristics used in discharge capacity assessment of Turkey Creek watershed on South Carolina coastal plain, USA. Riparian vegetation type, composition, structure, and its abundance on fl oodplains exert a strong infl uence on riparian surface and subsurface hydrology and discharges of rivers and streams. The conditions of fl ood waters fl ow in such valley types are shaped by the existing vegetation cover. In this study, on the basis of vegetation inventory in four selected and representative basins, the substitute geometrical parameters of the medium and tall vegetation were determined and friction coeffi cients for low vegetation. These parameters were determined for 72 km2 forested watershed draining a 3rd order stream as affected by fl oodplain riparian vegetation on the Atlantic Coastal Plain in South Carolina, USA. The vegetation parameters, determined directly from the measurements, were verifi ed against the rating curve, that was achieved from discharge measurements as well as from discharge capacity calculations of the valley cross-section. In discharge capacity calculation, the Pasche method was used to calculate the total Darcy-Weisbach friction factor for each cross section according to the type of vegetation and fl ow interaction between the main channel and vegetated areas. In this approach friction caused by interaction between the main channel and vegetated areas are taken into account. The calculations performed on the basis of determined geometrical parameters of tall vegetation, show good agreement between the model and the measurements.

Spatial and temporal controls on watershed ecohydrology in the northern Rocky Mountains

Vegetation water stress plays an important role in the movement of water through the soil‐plant‐atmosphere continuum. However, the effects of water stress on evapotranspiration (ET) and other hydrological processes at the watershed scale remain poorly understood due in part to spatially and temporally heterogeneous conditions within the watershed, especially in areas of mountainous terrain. We used a spatially distributed model to understand and evaluate the relationship between water stress and ET in a forested mountain watershed during the snow‐free growing season. Vegetation water stress increased as the growing season progressed, due to continued drying of soils, and persisted late into the growing season, even as vapor pressure deficit decreased with lower temperatures. As a result, ET became decoupled from vapor pressure deficit and became increasingly dependent on soil moisture later in the growing season, shifting from demand limitation to supply limitation. We found water stress and total growing season ET to be distributed nonuniformly across the watershed due to interactions between topography and vegetation. Areas having tall vegetation and low topographic index experienced the greatest water stress, yet they had some of the highest evapotranspiration rates in the watershed.

Vegetation, Soils, and Land Use in Calcareous Fens of Eastern New York and Adjacent Connecticut

Calcareous fens are wetlands fed by calcareous groundwater and with predominantly low (< 1 m) vegetation. They are critical habitat for rare species, and development of tall vegetation alters this habitat. Our purpose was to better understand how human activities influence the fen habitat. In 1997 in eastern New York and northwestern Connecticut we located 25 fens using soil maps and field surveys, and delimited these sites using 73 indicator plants classified a priori as fen species, disturbance species, or non-fen woody species. In three plots in each fen we measured species cover, water table depth, organic matter, total inorganic nitrogen, groundwater pH and conductivity, and described land use on and within 100 m of each fen to identify the conditions that may lead to fen degradation. Total inorganic nitrogen correlated most significantly with plant species composition. Fen-species richness was negatively correlated with nitrogen, whereas non-fen woody species richness and cover were positively correlated with nitrogen, suggesting that nitrogen inputs contribute to dominance of tall vegetation in fens. Richness of disturbance indicator species was negatively correlated with soil organic matter. Thus, fens with mineral soil layers may be more susceptible to dominance by non-fen species. Percent cover of disturbance indicator species was greater in fens near public roads. Cover of Lythrum salicaria, an invasive weed, was positively correlated with land-use intensity and was greater near public roads. The use of soil maps, indicator plant richness and cover, inorganic nitrogen, water table, and soil organic matter may be an efficient method for locating, delimiting, and assessing the ecological status of fens.

A hierarchical model for analysing the stability of vegetation patterns created by grazing in temperate pastures

Questions: Does vegetation structure display any stability over the grazing season and in two successive years, and is there any correlation between the stability of these spatial patterns and local sward composition? Location: An upland grassland in the French Massif Central. Method: The mosaic of short and tall vegetation stands considered as grazed and ungrazed patches respectively is modeled as the realization of a Boolean process. This method does not require any arbitrarily set sward-height thresholds to discriminate between grazed and ungrazed areas, or the use of additional variables such as defoliation indexes. The model was validated by comparing empirical and simulated sward-height distributions and semi-variograms. Results: The model discriminated between grazed and ungrazed patches at both a fine (1 m2) and a larger (500 m2) scale. Selective grazing on legumes and forbs and avoidance of reproductive grass could partly explain the stability of fine-scale grazing patterns in lightly grazed plots. In these plots, the model revealed an inter-annual stability of large-scale grazing patterns at the time peak biomass occurred. At the end of the grazing season, lightly grazed plots showed fluctuating patch boundaries while heavily grazed plots showed a certain degree of patch stability. Conclusion: The model presented here reveals that selective grazing at the bite scale could lead to the creation of relatively stable patches within the pasture. Locally maintaining short cover heights would result in divergent within-plot vegetation dynamics, and thus favor the functional diversity of vegetation.

Habitat preferences and survival in wildlife reintroductions: an ecological trap in reintroduced grey partridges

Summary 1. Wildlife reintroductions can help to restore populations and save species from extinction. However, success rates of reintroductions are low due to inherent problems, such as behavioural deficiencies resulting in high post‐release predation rates among captive‐bred animals. In particular, the released animals may use habitats maladaptively, leading to an ecological trap, i.e. preference for low‐quality habitats leading to reduced survival and/or breeding success. Ecological traps in reintroductions can be identified only through intensive studies of habitat preferences and survival of known individuals, but such studies are lacking. 2. We investigated habitat preferences and their relationship with survival by radio‐tracking reintroduced, captive‐bred grey partridges Perdix perdix, a widely reintroduced commercial game species and native farmland bird of conservation concern in the UK. The low success rate of grey partridge releases could be due to maladaptive habitat use and a possible ecological trap. 3. Grey partridges released as pairs in spring showed preferences for crop and field margin habitat. The use of crops had a positive, and use of field margins a negative, association with survival, suggesting field margins could serve as ecological traps for released grey partridges. Predation rates were high, and field margins probably hosted concentrated predator activity. 4. Grey partridges released as family groups (coveys) in autumn exhibited a preference for game covers, i.e. areas of tall vegetation specifically planted to provide cover for game birds, and mortality rates were lower than in spring. Habitat use did not affect survival in autumn. 5. Synthesis and applications. We have shown that newly released grey partridge pairs behave maladaptively by preferring a habitat which has a negative association with survival. In grey partridge reintroductions, we recommend releasing grey partridge family groups in autumn rather than releasing pairs of birds in spring, and providing game covers that could induce the groups to settle onto the release areas. In reintroductions in general, the habitat preferences of the released animals should be documented together with their fates, to enable detection of possible ecological traps that could threaten the success of these conservation efforts.

Regional Synthesis of Habitat Relationships in Shrubland Birds

Abstract: Shrubland birds are declining throughout the eastern United States. To manage scrub‐shrub habitats for birds, managers need information on avian habitat relationships. Past studies have produced contradictory results in some cases and may be of limited generality because of site‐ and habitat‐specific factors. We studied shrubland birds across 6 habitats in 3 New England states to provide more general information on habitat relationships than has been possible in past studies. Our study sites included all major scrub‐shrub habitats in New England: wildlife openings, regenerating clear‐cuts, beaver ponds, utility rights‐of‐way, pitch pine (Pinus rigida) woodlands, and scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) barrens and ranged from Connecticut to northern New Hampshire, with research conducted from 2002 to 2007. Using N‐mixture models of repeated point counts, we found that 6 of 12 shrubland birds preferred areas with greater shrub cover. An additional 4 species appeared to prefer areas with lower‐stature vegetation and greater forb cover. Eight of 10 bird species showed relationships with cover of individual plant species, with Spiraea spp., willows (Salix spp.), alders (Alnus spp.), and invasive exotics being the most important. We recommend that shrubland management for birds focus on providing 2 distinct habitats: 1) areas of tall (&gt;1.5 m) vegetation with abundant shrub cover and 2) areas of lower (&lt;1.5 m) vegetation with abundant forb cover but fewer shrubs.