TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of exotic Lonicera and Rhamnus on songbird nest predation
AU - Schmidt, Kenneth A.
AU - Whelan, Christopher J.
PY - 1999/12
Y1 - 1999/12
N2 - Habitat fragmentation and disturbance exacerbate the invasion of exotic plant species that, in turn, may attract nesting songbirds by providing a branch structure suitable for nest sites. We document that American Robin (Turdus migratorius) nests in two exotic plants, Lonicera maackii and Rhamnus cathartica, experienced higher predation than nests built in comparable native shrubs (Crataegus, Viburnum) and native tree species. This was due to a combination of lower nest height, the absence of sharp thorns on the exotic species, and perhaps a branch architecture that facilitated predator movement among the exotic species. In a more subtle interaction, nesting Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) experienced apparent competition with robins for nest sites in Lonicera, and this interaction was further aggravated by an increased selectivity for Lonicera by nesting robins, possibly due to their early leaf flush and expansion. By documenting increased nest predation in songbirds nesting in exotic shrubs, our results suggest that restoring native plant communities may benefit the surrounding avian community.
AB - Habitat fragmentation and disturbance exacerbate the invasion of exotic plant species that, in turn, may attract nesting songbirds by providing a branch structure suitable for nest sites. We document that American Robin (Turdus migratorius) nests in two exotic plants, Lonicera maackii and Rhamnus cathartica, experienced higher predation than nests built in comparable native shrubs (Crataegus, Viburnum) and native tree species. This was due to a combination of lower nest height, the absence of sharp thorns on the exotic species, and perhaps a branch architecture that facilitated predator movement among the exotic species. In a more subtle interaction, nesting Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) experienced apparent competition with robins for nest sites in Lonicera, and this interaction was further aggravated by an increased selectivity for Lonicera by nesting robins, possibly due to their early leaf flush and expansion. By documenting increased nest predation in songbirds nesting in exotic shrubs, our results suggest that restoring native plant communities may benefit the surrounding avian community.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0032713368&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.99050.x
DO - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.99050.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0032713368
SN - 0888-8892
VL - 13
SP - 1502
EP - 1506
JO - Conservation Biology
JF - Conservation Biology
IS - 6
ER -