Dynamics of bird assemblages in response to temporally and spatially variable resources in arid Australia.

ABSTRACT: Bird assemblages in arid Australia are often characterized as being highly variable through time in response to boom and bust dynamics, although the importance of habitat in structuring assemblages at a local-scale is also recognized. We use a novel approach to investigate the importance of rainfall variability in structuring bird assemblages in a resource-limited environment. Monthly bird surveys were conducted at ten plots for 8 years at a botanical and zoological park in central Australia, including five irrigated plots within a fenced area and five natural plots outside. Irrigation-used to promote growth, flowering, and fruiting of plants-created an artificial resource-enhanced environment against which the response of birds to natural fluctuations in season and rainfall were compared.

SUBMITTER: Pascoe BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8093688 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature