Abstract
In this study, point counts were used to determine avian species use of three units in the Big Thicket National Preserve (BTNP), east Texas. Two large reserve units and one narrow corridor unit were selected to allow for comparison of species assemblages as related to creekside vegetation width. Species were censused in the spring and fall seasons, 1995. Species data were categorized into four species groups: breeding neotropical migrants, transient neotropical migrants, permanent residents, and all species. Abundance, species richness, and species diversity data were compared using Chi-square Goodness of Fit tests. Only abundances of breeding neotropical migrants, permanent residents and all species species groups differed significantly (P<0.05). Qualitatively, species assemblages differed in terms of species composition. Many species classified by Partners in Flight as being of high or very high concern were found only in the large reserve units and not in the narrow corridor unit. Based on these results, BTNP expansion should include large reserve units if neotropical migrant species conservation is a consideration.
Dowling, Alix Denise (1996). Impacts of habitat fragmentation on neotropical migrants in east Texas. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1996 -THESIS -D69.