Density-dependent habitat selection in nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos C. L. Brehm) in selected windbreaks of SW Slovakia
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Ekológia (Bratislava) |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | habitat preference; discriminant function analysis; Luscinia megarhynchos; ecology |
| Description | The study is based on the theory that birds at low population density occupy the most suitable habitat, whereas with increasing the density, a part of the population occupies marginal habitats at a greater range. The population density of the nightingale was monitored in windbreaks during six breeding seasons. The population of nightingale reached its maximum in 2000 and the minimum in 1997. Comparing the vegetation structure of nightingale territories occupied in both years and territories occupied just in the year at the highest population density, two types of habitat were distinguished. The habitat selected in both years was characterized by lower herb cover values, higher tree diversity values and smaller shrubs. At the high population density, the habitat with higher herb cover values, lower tree diversity values and taller shrubs was also selected. Considering the spatial structure of a windbreak network, the windbreak intersections and dead-ends were preferred by nightingale. |
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