Influence of Woodland Edge Structure on Bird communities in the Belgian Ardennes

27 Mar Influence of Woodland Edge Structure on Bird communities in the Belgian Ardennes

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Abstract

English Abstract

In the Belgian Ardennes the habitat is dominated
by coniferous plantations and intensive grass production.
To study the local breeding bird community
we surveyed 100 listening sample points distributed
in four habitat types: open grasslands,
woodland edges between grasslands and conifers
(“outside margins”), woodland edge near felling
areas (“inside margins”), and coniferous woodland.
A high number of species are linked within
inside margins, comparatively more than to outside
margins and much more than in the two remaining
habitats. Data analysis highlights the importance of
the presence of bushes and grassy headlands in the
margins for species diversity and the presence of
certain species. Conservation work to restore the
full gradual transition from forest to grassland
would significantly increase the biodiversity value
of the region.