Bird species observed in a sample of eucalyptus from non-native species plantations: A case study (Mersin-Tarsus)

Abstract

The possibility that new habitats resulting from silvicultural practices in Mediterranean coastal countries may have negative ecological impacts on existing biodiversity has often not been taken into account. For this reason, this study was carried out to determine the amount and diversity of bird species (breeding) in eucalyptus plantations. The study was carried out in eucalyptus plantations in a region located in Tarsus district of Mersin province in southern Turkey. Birds of 3 different age categories were observed at 22 points in the selected region. Vegetation parameters were measured by counting along transects 50 meters long and 10 meters wide in 4 main directions from the center of the points. As a result of this study, a total of 17 bird species were identified in these areas and it was concluded that most of the bird species were underrepresented compared to the broadleaf forests. Eucalyptus plantations are far from being a supplementary forest habitat for bird species in the current region and provide an inadequate habitat. Birds that occupy these plantations are likely to benefit from an extended rotation time and retention of understory vegetation.

Keywords

• Birds
• Eucalyptus
• plantations
• biodiversity

Yabancı tür olan okaliptüs plantasyonlarında gözlemlenen kuş türleri: Mersin-Tarsus Örneği

Abstract

Akdeniz’e kıyı ülkelerde gerçekleştirilmiş silvikültürel uygulamalar neticesinde ortaya çıkan yeni habitatların mevcut biyolojik çeşitlilik üzerinde bir takım olumsuz ekolojik etkilere sebebiyet verebilme ihtimali çoğu zaman dikkate alınmamıştır. Bu sebepten dolayı bu çalışma okaliptüs ağaçlandırmalarında yayılış gösteren (üreyen) kuş türlerinin miktarını ve çeşitliliğini ortaya koymak amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışma, Türkiye’nin güneyi Mersin ilinin Tarsus ilçesinde yer alan bir bölgedeki okaliptüs ağaçlandırma sahalarında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Belirlenen bölgede seçilen 22 noktada 3 farklı yaş kategorisinde kuş gözlemi yapılmıştır. Bitki örtüsü parametrelerinin ölçümü için belirlenen noktaların merkezinden 4 ana yöne doğru 50 metre uzunluğunda ve 10 metre genişliğinde transektler boyunca sayımı yapılarak bulunmuştur. Bu çalışma sonucunda söz konusu sahalarda yayılış gösteren toplam 17 kuş türü tespit edilmiş olup; çoğu kuş türünün geniş yapraklı ağaç türlerinden oluşan ormanlarla kıyaslandığında oldukça düşük miktarlarda temsil edildiği sonucuna varılmıştır. Okaliptüs ağaçlandırmalarının mevcut bölgede yayılış gösteren kuş türleri açısından tamamlayıcı bir orman habitatı olmanın uzağında kaldığı ve yetersiz bir yaşam ortamı sunduğu görülmüştür. Bu sahalarda tespit edilen kuş türlerinin -nispeten- seyrek silvikültürel müdahaleler neticesinde gelişme imkânı bulan vejetasyon örtüsünün koruma fonksiyonundan faydalanabilmesi muhtemeldir.

Keywords

• Kuşlar
• Okaliptüs
• plantasyon
• biyolojik çeşitlilik

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