TY - JOUR

T1 - Large trees are keystone structures in urban parks

AU - Stagoll, K.

AU - Lindenmayer, David B

AU - Knight, E.

AU - Fischer, Joern

AU - Manning, Adrian D.

PY - 2012/4

Y1 - 2012/4

N2 - Large trees are considered keystone structures in agricultural and forestry production landscapes, but research demonstrating this in urban landscapes is urgently needed. If large trees are keystone structures in urban parks, it is imperative that this is recognized in policy to ensure their ongoing existence. We studied the role of large native trees for birds in urban parks in Canberra, Australia. We found that (1) large trees had a consistent, strong, and positive relationship with five measures of bird diversity, and (2) as trees became larger in size, their positive effect on bird diversity increased. Large urban trees are therefore keystone structures that provide crucial habitat resources for wildlife. Hence, it is vital that they are managed appropriately. With evidence-based tree preservation policies that recognize biodiversity values, and proactive planning for future large trees, the protection and perpetuation of these important keystone structures can be achieved. Copyright and Photocopying:

AB - Large trees are considered keystone structures in agricultural and forestry production landscapes, but research demonstrating this in urban landscapes is urgently needed. If large trees are keystone structures in urban parks, it is imperative that this is recognized in policy to ensure their ongoing existence. We studied the role of large native trees for birds in urban parks in Canberra, Australia. We found that (1) large trees had a consistent, strong, and positive relationship with five measures of bird diversity, and (2) as trees became larger in size, their positive effect on bird diversity increased. Large urban trees are therefore keystone structures that provide crucial habitat resources for wildlife. Hence, it is vital that they are managed appropriately. With evidence-based tree preservation policies that recognize biodiversity values, and proactive planning for future large trees, the protection and perpetuation of these important keystone structures can be achieved. Copyright and Photocopying:

KW - Ecosystems Research

KW - birds

KW - City parks

KW - Scattered trees

KW - Science-based management

KW - Southeastern Australia

KW - Tree preservation

KW - Urban biodiversity

KW - Urban conservation policy

KW - Urban ecology

KW - Urban forest

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84859575574&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/efe301b4-0011-38f0-a296-604643fd81cc/

U2 - 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00216.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00216.x

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 5

SP - 115

EP - 122

JO - Conservation Letters

JF - Conservation Letters

SN - 1755-263X

IS - 2

ER -