Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology

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Varasteh Moradi H, Boroughani M, Nadim A. Responses of Birds and Insects Communities to Natural and Artificial Forest Gaps (Case Study: Shastkalateh Forest, Gorgan, Iran). Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2025; 14 (3) :37-53
URL: http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1295-en.html

Forest gaps represent significant ecological disturbances that can affect vegetation structure, insect populations, and avian communities. This study aimed to evaluate the density and diversity of bird species across three treatment types: closed canopy (control), natural gaps, and artificial gaps, within the protected Shast-Kalateh forest. Bird and insect sampling was conducted at 70 points, each with a 25-meter radius, utilizing point count and distance sampling methodologies. Redundancy analysis indicated that the strongest positive correlations between bird populations and habitat variables, as well as insect abundance, were found in natural gaps and closed canopy areas. Natural gaps exhibited the highest avian abundance, likely attributed to increased light availability, enhanced structural complexity, and greater ecological dynamism. Conversely, artificial gaps, which displayed reduced structural complexity and unstable food resources, negatively impacted breeding bird populations. Distance sampling revealed that the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) had the highest density across all treatments. ANOSIM analysis demonstrated significant differences in bird species composition among the treatments (p = 0.001). Overall, natural gaps fostered higher bird density, greater avian diversity, and increased insect diversity compared to both closed canopy areas and artificial gaps.