Development of breeding populations of birds in two residential areas in Solothurn and their dependence on habitat structure
Author
Summary, in English
From 1991 to 1998 breeding birds were surveyed in two study plots (11.2 and
8.3 ha) of the town of Solothurn, Central Plateau of Switzerland. The paper presents the results and relates habitat structure elements to species diversity On individual properties. Over the whole study period, 31 species
were found in each area. Thirteen species were recorded as breeders in all years in both areas. Average number of territories was 125 for the study area 'Vorstad'(11.2 territories per ha) and 118 for the area 'Steingruben'
(14.2 territories per ha). For Vorstadt, species diversity declined over the monitoring period but there was no such trend for Steingrube. In both areas, territory numbers showed a decreasing tendency. In the area Vorstadt and in the area Steingrube, the same five species (Passer domesticus, Turdus merula, Apus apus, Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major) were found to be dominant species in all years. Their yearly density remained stable whereas the overall density for the other species showed a decreasing tendency. These findings
are in line with other studies from urban areas reporting a decrease of rarer species that demand superior habitat quality. However, the study plots are too small to make general Statements. Habitat structure elements (fraction of green area on property, height of building, tree, bush and ground vegetation) of the individual properties were brought in relation to a species index (average species number per property 1995-1998) on the individual properties. Highly structured properties had on average the highest species index. Although species number is primarily determined on a geographically larger scale, specific management of properties improving these structure elements may increase local bird diversity.
8.3 ha) of the town of Solothurn, Central Plateau of Switzerland. The paper presents the results and relates habitat structure elements to species diversity On individual properties. Over the whole study period, 31 species
were found in each area. Thirteen species were recorded as breeders in all years in both areas. Average number of territories was 125 for the study area 'Vorstad'(11.2 territories per ha) and 118 for the area 'Steingruben'
(14.2 territories per ha). For Vorstadt, species diversity declined over the monitoring period but there was no such trend for Steingrube. In both areas, territory numbers showed a decreasing tendency. In the area Vorstadt and in the area Steingrube, the same five species (Passer domesticus, Turdus merula, Apus apus, Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major) were found to be dominant species in all years. Their yearly density remained stable whereas the overall density for the other species showed a decreasing tendency. These findings
are in line with other studies from urban areas reporting a decrease of rarer species that demand superior habitat quality. However, the study plots are too small to make general Statements. Habitat structure elements (fraction of green area on property, height of building, tree, bush and ground vegetation) of the individual properties were brought in relation to a species index (average species number per property 1995-1998) on the individual properties. Highly structured properties had on average the highest species index. Although species number is primarily determined on a geographically larger scale, specific management of properties improving these structure elements may increase local bird diversity.
Publishing year
2004
Language
English
Pages
177-192
Publication/Series
Der Ornithologische Beobachter
Volume
101
Full text
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
ALA, Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Vogelkunde und Vogelschutz
Topic
- Biological Sciences
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0030-5707