Relationships among Weather, Habitat Structure, and Ponderosa Pine Forest Birds

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Abstract
Avian community structure during the breeding season in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest of northern Arizonia [USA] was influenced by weather and a series of timber harvest treatments. Fewer birds and bird species were present after a winter with the heaviest snowfall on record and low temperatures than after milder winters. Bird density was greater (P < 0.05) on the light and medium cut plots than on the untreated plot. A cluster analysis of bird densities over plots and the 3-year study period indicated treatment effects were more important in determining bird community composition than weather effects.