From mixtures to monocultures: Bird assemblage responses along a production forest conifer-broadleaf gradient

Increasing the prevalence of broadleaf trees in conifer-dominated production forests is a recommended means improving habitat availability for and mixed-forest species. The implications biodiversity are often measured by contrasting broadleaf-conifer mixtures with stands. However, few studies include broadleaf-dominated stands these assessments. Here we contrasted bird assemblages even-aged along mixture gradient from Norway spruce (Picea abies) dominated, to birch (Betula spp.) dominated southern Sweden. We conducted point count surveys individuals exhibiting breeding behaviour within 30 varying <0.5% over 98.5% basal area. A total 355 birds were detected, comprising 36 species, seven which classified as near threatened Swedish Red-list. Our results indicate i) distinct shift community composition linked percentage at stand landscape scales, ii) significantly higher species richness, evenness, abundance proportion birch, iii) birch-dominated than mixtures, iv) shifts guilds related area, amount shrubs understory, quantities dead wood. All have ways forest management could be altered enhance avian diversity, discuss respect use versus mixed-species