Rey Livio
Die Entwicklung der Brutvögel in der Waldbrandfläche bei Leuk
Project Number: Parcs Data Center 43732 / 4D CH-6903
Project Type: |
Research_Project |
Project Duration: |
01/01/2018 - 12/31/2018 project completed |
Funding Source: |
other , |
Leading Institution: |
Vogelwarte Sempach |
Project Leader: |
Livio Rey Vogelwarte Sempach Seerose 1 6204 Sempach Phone: +41 (0) 41 462 97 14 e-Mail: livio.rey(at)vogelwarte.ch
|
Research Areas:
Disciplines:
Abstract:
As major disturbance agents, natural catastrophes impact habitats, thereby maintaining the
dynamics of ecological communities. Such discrete events are expected to positively affect
biodiversity because they generate high habitat heterogeneity and thus numerous ecological
niche opportunities. Species typical of open and semi-open habitats, which are often of
high conservation concern in modern anthropized landscapes, may benefit most from
recurrent natural catastrophes that regularly reset ecosystems. We investigated bird community
changes and species-specific responses to wildfire at two recently burnt temperate,
montane-subalpine forest stands in an inner-Alpine Swiss valley, with a special focus on
red-listed and conservation priority species. We compared bird community changes in
burnt forests (spanning 13 years) with bird assemblages occurring in adjacent non-burned
forest stands that served as quasi-experimental controls. Strong species-specific
responses to wildfire were evidenced, resulting in a dramatic post-fire decrease in overall
bird abundance and species richness. Yet, red-listed bird species and conservation priority
species in Switzerland were substantially more common in burnt than in control forest
stands. Many red-listed species showed a bell-shaped numeric response to wildfire over
time, suggesting low habitat suitability just after fire, high habitat suitability at pioneer and
early stages of vegetation succession, followed by a long-term decrease in suitability while
vegetation becomes denser, especially at ground level. As established for Mediterranean
regions where wildfires are especially frequent, this study shows that forest fires can also
boost the populations of red-listed and priority bird species typical of open and semi-open
habitats in temperate biomes. Prescribed forest fire might represent a management option
for preserving threatened elements of biodiversity despite the intense public debate it will
trigger.
Publications:
Die Entwicklung der Brutvögel in der Waldbrandfläche bei LeukRey et al. (2019): Effects of forest wildfire on inner-Alpine bird community dynamics. PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214644 April 24, 2019
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Last update: 4/5/22
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-6903
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