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“Does the management for enhancing recreational values in
suburban woodlands affect the intensity of bird predation on
canopy-living arthropods”
Article by: Erik Heyman & Bengt Gunnarsson
Presented by: Khanh Duong, Mark Griffith & Alicia McCusker
History
Previous studies show Insectivorous birds aid in controlling the population of the arthropods on which they prey
Many suburban forests are clearing understory for aesthetic and recreation value
Increase in leaf damage
Ultimately question asked and studied in two Swedish forests
Methods
2 similar sites were chosen The Hultaberg site (area 8.0 ha) The Rya åsar site (7.2 ha)
Understory clearance was conducted at both sites 4.0 ha at Hultaberg site 3.9 ha at Rya åsar site
Methods: Experimental Procedure
44 Oak trees were randomly selected. 24 trees were located at the Hultaberg site 20 trees were located at the Rya åsar site
4 branches were randomly selected for each tree 2 low branches (3-5 m above ground) 2 high branches (12-15 m above ground)
Each height had one plastic anti-bird net
Experimental setup. The experiment was replicated at two sites. Each site was divided in two plots of equal area which were randomly assigned to either understory clearance or no management (control). Bird enclosures were placed in 10-12 trees in each plot, at two height levels in each tree.
Methods: Collection
Net-enclosed and control branches were cut and stored in bags
Arthropods were collected and preserved All leaves were removed from branches and
weighed Control for differences in branch size
Results
Arthropod biomass of the six largest orders in relation to experimental treatment and management
dotted line - dense understory full line - understory clearance
Results contd.
Conclusion
Insectivorous birds significantly decrease arthropod populations in forest and agricultural ecosystems.
Population control of arthropods is higher in the areas with dense understory. Human activity in less dense understory
could have disrupted the birds. Negative effects on recreation because
arthropod increase tree leaf damage.
Extended and future research suggestion:
The effect of human presence on the birds feeding
Times that they feed Where nest are built in correlation to foot
trails Density of arthropods around foot trails and
human activity
Better Explanation Arthropod- invertebrate with exoskeleton, segmented
body and appendages. How many?
Wood understory- group of small trees, shrubs and vines that grow under the taller trees.
Didn't give any other reasons why the birds left.
Example of arthropods
Relevance to Sustainability
• Reduces pest population of ecosystem.• Allows agriculture and forestry to flourish.• Without birds increase leaf damage has been
found.