Maja Burke’s project is about comparing bird communities in oak-dominated (Quercus spp) and spruce (Picea abies) forest stands in Östergötland, Sweden. Using sound recordings analyzed by the BirdNET system, she found that oak stands supported a higher bird species richness and a distinct species composition compared to spruce stands. However, total bird abundance (amount of sound) did not differ. These findings suggest that increasing oak plantations in silviculture could enhance biodiversity while addressing ecological and climate-related challenges associated with spruce monocultures.
Central Research Questions
The project compared bird communities in oak-dominated (Quercus spp.) and spruce (Picea abies) forest stands in Östergötland, Sweden. The study asks: How do bird species richness, species composition, and abundance differ between the two forest types?
Aims and methods
The project aimed to investigate which forest type supports greater bird diversity, and whether increasing oak in silviculture could benefit biodiversity while addressing challenges associated with spruce monocultures. Bird communities were compared using sound recordings analyzed with the BirdNET system.
Results
Oak stands supported higher species richness and a distinct species composition, while total bird abundance did not differ between forest types.