Effects of the agricultural matrix on presence and movements of Myrmeciza exsul, a forest specialist bird, in two fragmented Costa Rican landscape
Tropical forest fragments have long been considered as islands in fragmented landscapes and several studies find agricultural fields and cattle pastures a near absolute barrier to the movement of tropical forest birds. We tested the effects of several habitat types such as shaded coffee, sun-grown coffee, secondary growth vegetation, and cattle pastures on movements of Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul), a terrestrial forest insectivore. Using different methods (color-banded, radio-marked individuals, and song playbacks) and experiments, we showed M. exsul's movements in shaded coffee crops and cattle pastures. Additionally, our observations support the idea that <1 ha forest fragments could be "stepping-stones" because they facilitate movements across the agricultural landscape, and we support the notion M. exsul may be a better disperser than other terrestrial insectivorous birds. Finally, we concluded that LCL is less restrictive to M. exsul's movements than BOL and that shaded coffee plantations and secondary-growth vegetation contribute significantly to the dispersal of individuals.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Turrialba (Costa Rica)
2012
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| Subjects: | PAJAROS, TIERRAS AGRICOLAS, PAISAJE, SOMBRA, COSTA RICA, |
| Online Access: | http://orton.catie.ac.cr/repdoc/A9032i/A9032i.pdf |
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| Summary: | Tropical forest fragments have long been considered as islands in fragmented landscapes and several studies find agricultural fields and cattle pastures a near absolute barrier to the movement of tropical forest birds. We tested the effects of several habitat types such as shaded coffee, sun-grown coffee, secondary growth vegetation, and cattle pastures on movements of Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul), a terrestrial forest insectivore. Using different methods (color-banded, radio-marked individuals, and song playbacks) and experiments, we showed M. exsul's movements in shaded coffee crops and cattle pastures. Additionally, our observations support the idea that <1 ha forest fragments could be "stepping-stones" because they facilitate movements across the agricultural landscape, and we support the notion M. exsul may be a better disperser than other terrestrial insectivorous birds. Finally, we concluded that LCL is less restrictive to M. exsul's movements than BOL and that shaded coffee plantations and secondary-growth vegetation contribute significantly to the dispersal of individuals. |
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