Small farms with natural landscape features such as shade trees, hedgerows and tracts of intact forest provide a refuge for some tropical bird populations, according to an 18-year study in Costa Rica.
For almost two decades, ornithologist James Zook has been collecting detailed records on nearly 430 tropical bird species found on small farms, plantations and undisturbed forests in the country.
While birds thrive the most in undisturbed rainforests, Zook said some species usually found in forests can establish populations in “diversified farms” that partially mimic a natural forest environment.
“In these diversified farms, you see growth over the long term in bird species with specialized needs,” such as safe and shady nooks to build nests and a variety of food sources, Hendershot said.
Three-quarters of the 305 species found in diversified farms showed stable or growing populations over the time of study.
Persons:
James Zook, Zook, ”, Nicholas Hendershot, Hendershot, Natalia Ocampo, “, Ruth Bennett, University of California’s Ocampo
Organizations:
Stanford University, National Academy of Sciences, “, University of California, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, University of California’s, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP
Locations:
Costa Rica, Santa Cruz