Changes in avian diversity and potential invasive seed dispersal post-wildfire in a Southeastern deciduous forest; Flipper Bend Woods, Signal Mountain, Tennessee

In eastern deciduous forests, fire-disturbance and its ecological implications have not been heavily studied. In Tennessee, a recently burned site (2016) presented a unique opportunity to analyze habitat regrowth two-three years after a major wildfire thought to have been worsened by invasive plants. In order to examine post-fire recovery and invasive plant recolonization, researchers observed the diversity of avian species in a burned and unburned site. Using mist-nets, line-transects, and vegetation analysis, this study found that though the unburned site was higher in avian diversity, the burned site appeared to be suitable habitat for multiple disturbance-dependent avian species. There was no evidence found that birds were contributing to invasive plant colonization of the burned site. This study supports the need for greater fire research in eastern deciduous forests and the results suggest that regular fires could benefit struggling species of disturbance-dependent birds in this region.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Feely, Mary Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Aborn, David A.
• Beasley, DeAnna; McCarragher, Shannon
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Birds -- Effect of habitat modification on -- Tennessee
• Birds -- Habitat -- Missouri

Licence

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/628

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1786