title: Effects of logged and unlogged forest patches on avifaunal diversity.
abstract: In the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran, reduced-impact silviculture systems, (single-tree and group-tree selection) were applied over a large area, which generated different local habitat structures. The aim of this study was to assess the differences between treated and untreated areas of forest and their effect on avian richness, abundance and diversity (R.A.D). Birds were surveyed during the breeding season in 2009 by 100-point counts, equally distributed in the treated and untreated area. Avian R.A.D was significantly different and higher in the untreated area. Generally, forestry practices cause noticeable changes in canopy percentage, tree composition, snags and shrub number. Treated forest habitats in the area of study had a much more developed understory, fewer snags and fewer large diameter trees. The results highlighted the importance of forest maturity and showed that preventing silvicultural disturbances may not be the best solution for conserving and enhancing biodiversity. Rather, methods such as selective cutting seem an appropriate and sustainable way of forest management. It is suggested that forests should be managed to conserve structural elements which create favorable habitat for bird species, preventing future species losses due to logging practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Daneshkadeh Street, PO Box 41111, Karaj, Iran. mghadiri@purdue.edu
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghadiri Khanaposhtani
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaboli
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karami
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Etemad
authors.forename: Saeedeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baniasadi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001717:Birds / Q000145:classification*; D016468:Forestry / Q000379:methods*; D007492:Iran; D014197:Trees / Q000145:classification*