Hole site selection by Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopus syriacus) in Naeen , Isfahan province

Document Type : (original research)

Author

epartment of Environment, Meybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Meybod, Iran

10.22034/AEJ.2021.310596.2664

Abstract

In order to perform studies on the selection of the Syrian woodpecker nesting (Dendrocopus syriacus) in the natural region of Naeen township, the job of finding the nests of this bird was done by a multi-personnel team in the Spring of 2015 by establishing random transects with a length of 2000 meters on a map in the area during field operations. Sixtyfive nests of this bird were indentified on trees and the coordinates of the nests were registered by GPS. Initially, the height and diameter of the opening of the nests were measured and then the habitat variables including type, height, and diameter of plant species for each species, the distance of the nest to the nearest water source and road around the nests were calculated. By randomly distancing the nests from different directions, the job of finding the control points or their absence was done. In these areas, no trace of the Syrian woodpecker nests was found. Sixty- five absence points were also identified for the number of the nests and after registering the coordinates, the above variables were also measured. According to our observations, 75.38 percent of the nests had been established on mulberry trees (Morus alba). Due to its having more nectar, the mulberry tree is a more suitable food source for the Syrian woodpecker chicks. Furthermore, the soft bark of this tree is more economical and easier than that of walnut (Juglan nigra) and almond (Amygdalus sp) trees with hard barks. The results of the t-test showed that there was a meaningful difference between the presence and absence regions in terms of some habitat variables for the Syrian woodpecker’s nests. The average distance of the nests to the nearest water source in the presence regions was meaningfully less than that in the absence regions (p<0.05). Our study region was part of the desert areas of Iran and consequently the need for water was a vital parameter; furthermore, water sources absorb more insects to their surfaces which are a food source for the chicks of this bird bringing about their existence. No meaningful difference was obtained in terms of the height and diameter of mulberry trees as well as the average distance to the road between the presence and absence regions. It can be due to the aged mulberry trees (no obvious external difference) along with low traffic which do not have much effect on the nesting of Syrian woodpecker. To protect the Syrian woodpecker population by paying attention to the important ecological role of this bird in Naeen region for the control of insects and pests, it seems necessary to protect the mulberry trees and prevent the destruction of this bird’s habitat along with the protection and provision of new water sources.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Mansouri, J., 2013. Guide to the birds of Iran. Farzaneh publication. 513 p. (In Persian)
  2. IUCN Redlist of Threatened species. 2019. Dendrocus syricus. http: // IUCNredlist.org.
  3. Varasteh Moradi, , 2010. Habitat evaluation of Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) in Golestan National Park. Journal of Natural Environment. 63(3): 303-315. (In Persian)
  4. Karimi, S., Varasteh Moradi, H. and Rezaei, H., 2012. The winter and spring habitat suitability of black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) in ShastKalateh. Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology. 1(1): 15-29. (In Persian)
  5. Moradi, S., Sheykhi Ilanloo, S. and Kafash, A., 2018. Habitats with high suitability of Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), a priority for conservation of Hyrcanian forests. Journal of Animal Environment. 9(4): 95-102. (In Persian)
  6. Aghanajafi, Sh. and Bakhshipour, R., 2018. Modeling of Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) Nesting Selection in Yazd Baghshadi Protected Area with the Use of Binomial Logistic Regression. Journal of Animal Environment. 10(1): 67-72. (In Persian)
  7. Pasinelli, G., 2000. Spacing behavior of the middleSpotted woodpecker in central Europe. Jouranal of wildlife management. 66: 432-447.
  8. Muller, J., Pollath, J. and Moshammer, R., 2009. Predicting the occurrence of Middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocops medicus) on regional scale, using forest inventory data. Forest ecology and management. 257: 502-609.
  9. Alder, D. and Marsden, S., 2010. Characteristics of feeding site selection by breeding Green woodpecker (Picus viridis) in a UK agricultural landscape. Bird study journal. 57. DOI: org/10.1080/0006365.9033437511.
  10. Aghanajafi, S., Hemami, M., Heydari, F. and Naderi, G., 2011. Cavity- hole selection bySyrian woodpecker in Baghshadi protected area, Yazd province, Iran. Zoology in the Middle East. 53: 3-6.
  11. Pinovan, A. and Zecca, G., 2014. Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) habitat selection in the Italian alps: implication for conservation in natura 2000 network. Bird conservation International. 24: 299-315.
  12. Karimi, S., Varasteh Moradi, H., Rezari, H.R., Brambilla, M. and Ghadimi, M., 2018. Fine scale habitat uses by Black woodpecker (Dryocopus marticus): A year- round study in the Hyrcanian forest, Iran. North- western journal of Zoology. 14: 76-84.
  13. Gross, T., Quresh, S., Latif, J., Dudley, G. and Asaab, V., 2021. Lewis,s Woodpecker nesting habitat suitability:  Predictive  models for  application within  burned forest.  Biological   conservation journal. 253: 801-811.
  14. Menon, T. and Shahabuddin, G., 2021. Assessing Woodpecker as indicators of bird diversity and habitat structure in managed forest. Forest and plantation biodiversity. 30: 1689-1704.
  15. Johansson, N., Kaasalainen, U. and Rikkinen, J., 2021. Woodpeker can act as dispersal vectors for fungi, plants and microorganisms. 11: 7154-7163.
  16. Verschuy, J.; Stephens, J.I., Kroll, A.J., Halstead, K.E. and Rock, D., 2021. Black- backed Woodpecker occupancy is extensive in Green conifer forests of the Southern cascade mountains, Oregan. Avian conservation and ecology Journal. 16: 4-16.
  17. Naeen Environmental Protection Department. 2013. Comprehensive Study Plan of Naeen City. 45-53. (In Persian)
  18. Fayt, P. and Steeger, C., 2005. Regulation of spruce bark beetles by woodpeckers. Forest ecology and management journal. 206: 1-14.
  19. Gunn, J.S. and Hagon, J.M., 2000. Woodpecker abundance and use in uneven- aged managed and unmanaged forest in northern marine. 126. DOI: 10.1016/so378-1127(99)00078-x.
  20. Barnea, A. and Yoram, Y.M., 2005. Woodpecker cavity aeration: A predictive model. 144: 237-249.
Journal of Animal Environment
Volume 14, Issue 3
October 2022
Pages 187-192

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics