Effects of recreational use of shorelines on breeding bird populations

Abstract

Field studies were conducted at 6 lakes in southern Ontario (Canada) to investigate the effects on breeding bird populations of the (human) disturbance caused by recreational use of shorelines. The degree of land development observed created extensive edge habitat but had only moderate effects on other vegetation characteristics. Although disturbed areas had significantly more birds, they tended to have lower species diversity than more natural areas. Species richness remained fairly constant in both disturbed and isolated study areas, whereas species evenness was significantly lower in the former. The species composition of bird populations in study areas was also affected by disturbance. Nesting success of common loons (Gavia immer) and eastern kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) was lower in disturbed areas