A Field Verification of Maryland's Green Infrastructure, Using Breeding Birds as Bio-indicators
Abstract
This study examines a series of questions to test whether the Green Infrastructure(GI) does, in fact, identify Maryland's most ecologically valuable forested lands. The study design uses forest interior dwelling birds (FIDS) richness and abundance information field collected on Maryland's Eastern Shore as an indicator of ecosystem health. FIDS are defined as birds that require large forest areas to breed successfully and maintain viable populations. FIDS habit needs incorporate the needs of many other species, both plant and animal, making them a good indicator of ecosystem health. Additional data was collected on other species of forest birds and a wide range of local habitat variables and landscape features inside and outside of GI hubs.
It was found that both the condition of a forest and its surrounding landscape were important to the bird communities. More species of FIDS were found within GI hubs than in forest outside hubs. On average, FIDS richness--number of species--was significantly higher within hubs; furthermore, almost all sites with at least 5 species present were in hubs. FIDS richness and abundance were highest in undisturbed, mature broadleaf forest with wetlands and streams nearby.
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© 2006 Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Photographs by Fred Irani, Ted Weber, and Rina Aviram