Patch size effects on avian foraging behaviour: implications for tropical forest restoration design

Autor: Emily B. Morrison, Rakan A. Zahawi, Catherine A. Lindell, Karen D. Holl
Rok vydání: 2010
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Applied Ecology. 47:130-138
ISSN: 1365-2664
0021-8901
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01743.x
Popis: Summary 1. Active restoration to rehabilitate degraded tropical lands often involves planting tree seedlings, an effective but expensive approach if large areas are planted. Planting small patches of vegetation (tens to a few hundred square metres) has recently been suggested as a more economical restoration technique that mimics natural regeneration processes. However, few studies have examined the consequences of restoration patch size on animals, whose presence and activities are often key to successful ecosystem recovery. 2. We examined the effects of patch size on the foraging behaviour of four resident tropical bird species in a replicated forest restoration experiment in southern Costa Rica. We also measured arthropod abundance and anti-predator vigilance behaviour to assess whether variation in food availability or predation risk could explain patch size effects on foraging behaviour. 3. Prey attack rates were highest, and the effort required to find prey was lowest, in larger patches for three of the four bird species. Arthropod density was approximately twice as great in larger patches (>3500 m2) compared with smaller patches (
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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