Response of Avian Communities to Herbicide-Induced Vegetation Changes
Academic Article
Overview
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
Early-growth clear-cuts in western Oregon had received phenoxy herbicide treatment 1 or 4 yr previously. All measures of vegetative diversity on untreated sites exceeded those on treated sites. Overall density and diversity of birds were similar between treated and untreated sites. Several bird species altered their foraging behavior on treated sites, ie. birds using deciduous trees increased use of shrubs on treated sites. The primary effect of herbicide application was a reduction in the complexity of vegetation, a condition due primarily to the removal of deciduous trees. Small patches of deciduous trees scattered in clear-cuts treated with phenoxy herbicides can maintain an avian community similar to that on untreated sites. -from Authors