Native forest fragments as critical bird habitat in a softwood forest landscape

SUMMARY

The occurrence of bird species was monitored over two years at eight forest remnants and two Pinus radiata plots on Sunny Corner State Forest, NSW. A total of 49 species was recorded during the study, of which 26 species used the pine plots on at least one occasion. Twenty-five (51%) of these 49 species are permanent residents of the study area. Based on an occurrence index derived for each species, the majority of species are uncommon or distributed at low densities on Sunny Corner State Forest. The avifauna assemblages of the pine plots were the least similar when comparisons were made between study sites. The paradigm shift from site comparisons to consideration of the landscape context allows these data to be evaluated in a manner more appropriate to conservation and management objectives. The Sunny Corner landscape is representative of exotic softwood plantations throughout Australia, and management recommendations are made with a view to enhancing this avifaunal diversity. These include retaining and extending the existing areas of native vegetation in the state forest, particularly along drainage lines, to provide habitat and allow the movement of birds. Attention to the impacts of routine forest operations on the vegetation and hence biota is emphasised, with a fauna and flora database used to foster a conservation ethic among forestry personnel.