Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effectiveness of Small Nature Preserves for Breeding Birds

  • Chapter
Conservation in Highly Fragmented Landscapes

Abstract

The ecological effects of habitat fragmentation pose problems for birds breeding in small nature preserves. Negative effects of habitat fragmentation have been well documented in breeding birds of midwestern forests and grasslands (Robinson 1988, Robinson and Wilcove 1994, Herkert 1994, Robinson et al. 1995). Area sensitivity, the absence of birds from small tracts even when suitable habitat is present, is pronounced in midwestern grasslands (Herkert 1991) and forests (Bond 1957, Kendeigh 1982, Ambuel and Temple 1982, Hayden et al. 1985, Blake and Karr 1984, 1987). Freemark and Collins (1992) found that area sensitivity was more extreme in the isolated tracts of the Midwest than in the more closely spaced tracts of forest of eastern North America. Although there are few long-term censuses from midwestern fragmented habitats, available evidence suggests long-term declines in populations of many species in fragmented grasslands (Herkert et al. 1992) and eastern forests (Hagan 1993, Wilcove and Robinson 1990).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ambuel, B., and S.A. Temple. 1982. Area-dependent changes in the bird communities and vegetation of southern Wisconsin forest. Ecology 64: 1057–1068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andren, H. 1992. Corvid density and nest predation in relation to forest fragmentation: a landscape perspective. Ecology 73: 794–804.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andren, H., P. Angelstom, E. Linstrüm, and P. Widen. 1985. Differences in predation pressure in relation to habitat fragmentation: an experiment. Oikos 45: 273–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angelstom, P. 1986. Predation on ground-nesting birds’ nests in relation to predator densities and habitat edge. Oikos 47: 365–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Askins, R.A. 1993. Population trends in grassland, shrubland, and forest birds in eastern North America. In D.M. Power, ed. Current Ornithology, vol. 11. Plenum Press, New York, 1–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Askins, R.A., J.F. Lynch, and R. Greenberg. 1990. Population declines in migratory birds in eastern North America. In D.M. Power, ed. Current Ornithology, vol. 7. Plenum Press, New York, 1–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bednarz, J.C., and J.J. Dinsmore. 1981. Status, habitat use, and management of red-shouldered hawks. Journal of Wildlife Management 45: 236–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bider, J.M. 1968. Animal activity in uncontrolled terrestrial communities as determined by a sand transect technique. Ecological Monographs 38: 269–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blake, J.G., and J.R. Kan. 1987. Breeding birds of isolated woodlots: area and habitat relationships. Ecology 68: 1724–1734.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blake, J.G. 1986. Species-area relationships of migrants in isolated woodlots in east-central Illinois. Wilson Bulletin 98: 291–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake, J.G., and J.R. Karr. 1984. Species compositions of bird communities and the conservation benefit of large versus small forests. Biological Conservation 30: 173–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, R.R. 1957. Ecological distribution of breeding birds in the upland forests of southern Wisconsin. Ecological Monographs 27: 351–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brawn, J.D., and S.K. Robinson. 1994. Forest birds in Illinois: changes in abundances and breeding ecology. Erigenia 13: 109–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brawn, J.D., and S.K. Robinson. 1996. Source-sink population dynamics may complicate interpretation of long-term census data. Ecology 77: 3–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brittingham, M.C., and S.A. Temple. 1983. Have cowbirds caused forest songbirds to decline? BioScience 33: 31–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chasko, G.C., and J.E. Gates. 1982. Avian habitat suitability along a transmission-line corridor in an oak-hickory forest region. Wildlife Monographs 82: 1–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durner, G.M., and J.E. Gates. 1993. Spatial ecology of black rat snakes on Remington Farms, Maryland. Journal of Wildlife Management 57: 812–826.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eddleman, W.R. 1978. Selection and Management of Swainson’s Warbler Habitat. M.S. thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, S.A. 1981. Ecology and Behavior of the Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) in Southern Illinois. M.S. thesis, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faaborg, J., M.C. Brittingham, T.M. Donovan, and J.G. Blake. 1993. Habitat fragmentation in the temperate zone: a perspective for managers. In D.M. Finch and P.W. Stangel, eds. Status and Management of Neotropical Migratory Birds. General Technical Report RM-229. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado, 331–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finch, D.M. 1991. Population Ecology, Habitat Requirements, and Conservation of Neo-tropical Migratory Birds. General Technical Report RM-205. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, S.A. 1908. The mid-summer bird life of Illinois: a statistical study. American Naturalist 42: 505–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, S.A., and A.O. Gross. 1922. The numbers and local distribution in summer of Illinois land birds of the open country. Bulletin of Illinois Natural History Survey 14: 187–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freemark, K., and B. Collins. 1992. Landscape ecology of birds breeding in temperate forest fragments. In J.M. Hagan III and D.W. Johnston, eds. Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrants. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 443–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedmann, H. 1929. The Cowbirds: A Study in the Biology of Social Parasitism. C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gates, J.E., and L.W. Gysel. 1978. Avian nest dispersion and fledging success in field-forest ecotones. Ecology 59: 871–883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs, J.P., and F. Faaborg. 1990. Estimating the viability of ovenbird and Kentucky warbler populations in forest fragments. Conservation Biology 4: 193–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graber, R.R., and J.W. Graber. 1963. A comparative study of bird populations in Illinois, 1906–1909 and 1956–1958. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 28: 383–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagan, J.M., III. 1993. Decline of the Rufous-sided towhee in the eastern United States. Auk 110: 863–874.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayden, T.J., J. Faaborg, and R.L. Clawson. 1985. Estimates of minimum area requirements for Missouri forest birds. Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science 19: 11–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herkert, J.R. 1991. Prairie birds of Illinois: population response to two centuries of habitat change. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 34: 106–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herkert, J.R. 1994. The effects of habitat fragmentation on midwestern grassland bird communities. Ecological Applications 4: 461–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herkert, J.R. 1995. Status and habitat area requirements of the veery in Illinois. Auk 112: 794–797.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herkert, J.R., R.E. Szafoni, V.M. Kleen, and J.E. Schwegman. 1992. Habitat Establishment, Enhancement, and Management for Forest and Grassland Birds in Illinois. Natural Heritage Technical Publication No. I, Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heske, E.J. 1995. Mammal abundances on forest-farm edges versus interiors in southern Illinois: is there an edge effect? Journal of Mammalogy 76: 562–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, N.P., and J.M. Hagan III. 1991. Population trends of some northeastern North American landbirds: a half-century of data. Wilson Bulletin 103: 165–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoover, J.P., and M.C. Brittingham. 1993. Regional variation in cowbird parasitism of wood thrushes. Wilson Bulletin 105: 228–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutto, R.L., S.M. Pletschet, and P. Henricks. 1986. A fixed-radius point count method for nonbreeding and breeding season use. Auk 103: 593–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iverson, L.R. 1989. Forest Resources of Illinois: An Atlas and Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Trends. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 11, Champaign.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R.G., and S.A. Temple. 1990. Nest predation and brood parasitism of tallgrass prairie birds. Journal of Wildlife Management 54: 106–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendeigh, S.C. 1982. Bird Populations in East-Central Illinois: Fluctuations, Variations, and Development Over a Half-Century. Illinois Biological Monograph No. 52. University of Illinois Press, Urbana.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, P., and T.E. Martin. 1991. Nest-site selection and nesting success of cavity-nesting birds in high-elevation forest drainages. Auk 108: 405–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lord, J.M. and D.A. Norton. 1990. Scale and the spatial concept of fragmentation. Conservation Biology 4: 197–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marini, M.A., S.K. Robinson, and E.J. Heske. 1995. Edge effects on nest predation in the Shawnee National Forest, southern Illinois. Biological Conservation 74: 203–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, T.E. 1992. Breeding productivity considerations: what are the appropriate habitat features for management. In J.M. Hagan III and D.W. Johnston, eds. Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 455–473.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, R.M., and S.K. Robinson. 1985. Population dynamics of avian brood parasitism. American Naturalist 126: 475–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayfield, H. 1975. Suggestions for calculating nest success. Wilson Bulletin 87: 456–466.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moller, A.P. 1989. Nest site selection across field-woodland ecotones: the effect of nest predation. Oikos 56: 240–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nice, M.M. 1957. Nesting success in altricial birds. Auk 74: 305–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R.F. 1991. Effects of edge and internal patchiness on avian habitat use in an old-growth Florida hammock. Natural Areas Journal 11: 34–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R.F., and L.D. Harris. 1986. Nodes, networks and MUMS: preserving diversity at all scales. Environmental Management 10: 299–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paton, P.W.C. 1994. The effect of edge on avian nesting success: how strong is the evidence? Conservation Biology 8: 17–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pulliam, H.R. 1988. Sources, sinks, and population regulation. American Naturalist 132: 652–661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ralph, C.J., G.R. Geupel, P. Pyle, T.E. Martin, and D.F. DeSante. 1993. Handbook of Field Methods for Monitoring Landbirds. General Technical Report PSW-GTR-144. Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratti, J.T., and K.P. Reese. 1988. Preliminary test of the ecological trap hypothesis. Journal of Wildlife Management 52: 484–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricklefs, R.E. 1973. Fecundity, mortality, and avian demography. In D.S. Farner, ed. Breeding Biology of Birds. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., 336–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K. 1988. Reappraisal of the costs and benefits of habitat heterogeneity for nongame wildlife. Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 53: 145–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K. 1992. Population dynamics of breeding neotropical migrants in a fragmented Illinois landscape. In J.M. Hagan III and D.W. Johnston, eds. Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 408–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K. 1994. Bird communities of restored barrens and savannas of southern Illinois. Proceedings of the North American Conference on Savannas and Barrens. Illinois State University, Normal, 147–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K., J.A. Grzybowski, S.I. Rothstein, M.C. Brittingham, L.J. Petit, and F.R. Thompson, III. 1993. Management implications of cowbird parasitism for neotropical migrant songbirds. In D.M. Finch and P.W. Stangel, eds. Status and Management of Neotropical Migratory Birds. General Technical Report RM229. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, Colorado, 93–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K., and D.S. Wilcove. 1994. Forest fragmentation in the temperate zone and its effects on migratory songbirds. Bird Conservation International 4: 233–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K., F.M. Thompson, III, T.M. Donovan, D.R. Whitehead, and J. Faaborg. 1995. Regional forest fragmentation and the nesting success of migratory birds. Science 267: 1987–1990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K., J.P. Hoover, J.R. Herkert, and R. Jack. In press-a. Cowbird parasitism in a fragmented landscape: effects of tract size, habitat, and abundance of cowbirds and hosts. In T. Cook, S.K. Robinson, S.I. Rothstein, S.G. Sealy, and J.N.M. Smith, eds. Ecology and Management of Cowbirds. University of Texas Press, Austin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, S.K., S.I. Rothstein, M.C. Brittingham, L.J. Petit, and J.A. Gryzbowski, Jr. In press-b. Ecology and behavior of cowbirds and their impact on host populations. In T.E. Martin and D.M. Finch, eds. Ecology and Management of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothstein, S.I. 1975. An experimental and teleonomic investigation of avian brood parasitism. Condor 77: 250–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandström, U. 1991. Enhanced predation rates on cavity birds’ nests at deciduous forest edges-an experimental study. Omis Fennica 68: 93–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, J.R., and B.K. Williams. 1989. Generalized procedures for testing hypotheses about survival or recovery rates. Journal of Wildlife Management 53: 137–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suarez, A., K. Pfennig, and S.K. Robinson. In Press. Nesting success of a disturbance dependent songbird on different kinds of edges. Conservation Biology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Temple, S.A., and J.R. Cary. 1988. Modeling dynamics of habitat-interior bird populations in fragmented landscapes. Conservation Biology 2: 340–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, F.R., III. 1994. Temporal and spatial patterns of breeding brown-headed cowbirds in the midwestern United States. Auk 11: 979–990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, F.M., III, S.K. Robinson, T.M. Donovan, J. Faaborg, and D.R. Whitehead. In press. Biogeographic, landscape, and local factors affecting cowbird abundance and host parasitism levels. In T. Cook, S.K. Robinson, S.I. Rothstein, S.G. Sealy, and J.N.M. Smith, eds. Ecology and Management of Cowbirds ed. T. Cook, S.K. Robinson, S.I. Rothstein, S.G. Sealy, and J.N.M. Smith University of Texas Press, Austin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trine, C.L., W.D. Robinson, and S.K. Robinson. In press. Consequences of brown-headed cowbird parasitism for host population dynamics. In S.I. Rothstein and S.K. Robinson, eds. Parasitic Birds and Their Hosts. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenny, D.G., R.L. Clawson, S.L. Sheriff, and J. Faaborg. 1993. Population variation, habitat selection, and minimum area requirements of three forest-interior warblers in central Missouri. Condor 95: 968–979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitcomb, R.F., C.S. Robbins, J.F. Lynch, B.L. Whitcomb, K. Klimkiewicz and D. Bystrak. 1981. Effects of forest fragmentation on avifauna of the eastern deciduous forest. In R.L. Burgess and D.M. Sharpe, eds. Forest Island Dynamics in Man-Dominated Landscapes. Springer-Verlag, New York, 125–205.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcove, D.S., and S.K. Robinson. 1990. The impact of forest fragmentation on bird communities in eastern North America. In A. Keast, ed. Biogeography and Ecology of Forest Bird Communities. SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, the Netherlands, 319–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Withgott, J.H. 1994. Behavior and Ecology of the Black Rat Snake (Elaphe o. obsoleta) and its Predation on Bird’s Nests. M.S. thesis, University of Arkansas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yahner, R.H., T.E. Morrell, and J.S. Rachael. 1989. Effects of edge contrast on depredation of artificial avian nests. Journal of Wildlife Management 53: 1135–1138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 East Peabody Dr., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA

    Scott K. Robinson, Jeffrey D. Brawn & Jeffrey P. Hoover

Authors
  1. Scott K. Robinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jeffrey D. Brawn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jeffrey P. Hoover
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Population Biology, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA

    Mark W. Schwartz

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Chapman & Hall

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Robinson, S.K., Brawn, J.D., Hoover, J.P. (1997). Effectiveness of Small Nature Preserves for Breeding Birds. In: Schwartz, M.W. (eds) Conservation in Highly Fragmented Landscapes. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0656-7_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0656-7_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0658-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-0656-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation