| The growth of intensive pine plantation management requires consideration of how management activities affect native biological diversity. I evaluated the effects of 5 pine plantation establishment regimes varying from low to high intensity on abundance of wintering birds during years 1, 2, and 3 post-treatment, and breeding birds during years 1 and 2 post-treatment on 4 timber industry stands in southern Mississippi. Also, I tested models comprised of 6 habitat variables to identify the most influential variables on abundance of species of concern. Bird abundance generally decreased with increasing treatment intensity. Also, species richness and species of concern were associated negatively with treatment intensity. Snag density appeared to be the most influential variable related to abundance of species of concern. Knowledge of habitat conditions that affect bird abundance on intensively managed pine plantations can aid managers interested in attaining forestry objectives, while providing habitat for avian communities. |
