engleski

Birds and forest management in Papuk Nature Park – the time for change

Papuk Nature Park (PNP) is situated in the continental Croatia, representing “ island” , hilly and forested area in lowland, agricultural region. PNP area (336 km2) is covered with beech forests with sessile oak forests in lower and mixed beech-fir forest in the highest parts of the area (up to 954 m asl). Comparisons are made between six forest stands types of different age, management intensity and tree species dominance. Point-count bird census technique was carried out on 56 points distributed in different forest stands. Woodpecker densities were estimated using playback techniques. Circular plot method was used for the estimation of the habitat parameters. Densities were calculated for 34 forest bird species, giving an average total density of 628.77± ; 47.27 pairs/km2. Only one type of bird community was identified (Morisita’ s index > 0, 5). Obvious differences among species richness and bird densities among forest stands of different age and management intensity were found. Bird density and species diversity increased with the age of the stands of same forest type. Density was the highest in middle-aged sessile oak forests, while species diversity was the highest in old, unmanaged beech forests. Three species (Goldcrest, Firecrest and Nutcracker) were observed only in the beech-fir forest indicating, together with the presence of White-backed Woodpecker (WBW), an isolated mountain bird community. WBW was observed only in the beech-fir and old beech forests stands where amount of dead wood exceeded 30 m3/ha. The densities of hole-nesters increased with the age of forest stands. Clear-felling and removal of dead wood are the main threats to birds in PNP. The selection cutting system or group harvesting should become forest management practice adjoined with assuring at least 30 m3/ha of dead wood in all forest stands.

breeding bird community ; species richness ; dead wood ; forest management

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