Roosting birds kill pine trees but no toxic effect to soil under roost

Abstract

Large numbers of blackbirds roosted in a shortleaf‐loblolly pine plantation resulting in almost complete mortality of the trees. Results showed that soil Ca and pH were higher before the birds roosted in the plantation whereas P and K were higher after the birds had roosted. Nitrogen and Mg did not follow a trend. There were changes in the soil nutrient and pH levels that was attributed to bird excrement but it was concluded that no permanent damage to the soil chemical composition was caused by the roosting birds.

Key words:

• Changes in soil nutrients and pH
• roosting birds