Bird assemblages of protected and exploited coastal woodlands in east-central Argentina

V. R. CUETO; J. LOPEZ DE CASENAVE

WILSON BULLETIN

Wilson Ornithological Society

Año: 2000 vol. 112 p. 395 - 402

0043-5643

We surveyed vegetation and bird assemblages in protected and exploited woodlands in the warm temperate, coastal woodlands of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Exploited woodland experienced selective logging of Celtis tala until at least 1960; presently it is used for sheltering domestic livestock. Vertical structure and floristic composition were simpler in exploited than in protected woodland. Likewise, avian density and species richness were lower in exploited woodland. Viewing the avifaunas from a guild perspective, we found the insectivore guild and frugivore-insectivore guild differed substantially between protected and exploited woodlands. The bird densities of these guilds were higher in protected woodland, and the species richness of the insectivore guild was lower in the exploited woodland. Apparently the insectivore guild responded primarily to structural differences, whereas the frugivore-insectivore guild may have responded more to differences in floristic composition. The granivore guild also differed between the two woodlands, but primarily because of changes in the density of the Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis).