Effects of Power-Line Corridors on the Density and Diversity of Bird Communities in Forested Areas

摘要

Breeding bird populations were estimated by the territory-mapping method in two plots totaling more than 58 ha in East Tennessee. Each plot contained a power-line corridor along one edge, and the remainder was oak-hickory forest. Bird species number and diversity were greater in the forests (P < 0.001) while differences in density and biomass were not significant (P < 0.10). The number of species endemic to the forests was two to three times that in the corridors (P < 0.001). Conversion of forest to power-line corridor increased total species number, density, and diversity on each previously entirely forested plot, and apparently did not result in the loss of any forest bird species.