Bird communities in forested and human-modified landscapes of Central Panama: a baseline survey for a native species reforestation treatment

Abstract

While deforestation continues to be a threat to species diversity in the tropics, reforestation either by natural succession or human tree planting is also occurring. Very little is known about how bird communities respond to human-mediated reforestation schemes in tropical areas. We surveyed bird communities in Central Panama to compare their abundance and richness in mature forest, young natural succession (fallow pastures), active cattle pastures, and native species reforestation areas. We found the greatest abundance of birds in mature forest, while natural succession areas had slightly greater species richness relative to mature forest. Bird communities were most similar in forest and natural succession areas, and were distinct from bird communities in cattle pastures and reforestation areas. Migratory bird species were most abundant in the young natural succession areas. Reforestation areas that were closer to mature forest had a greater abundance of birds relative to areas further from forests. Our study provides a baseline for future studies at this site that will allow assessment of the speed at which reforestation efforts with tree plantations will support a more diverse and abundant bird community. Moreover, our finding of the greatest species richness and migratory bird abundance in a natural succession habitat supports previous bird community studies in agroforestry and successional habitats.