2013 Volume 63 Issue 2 Pages 229-238
The distribution ranges of wildlife species are often fragmented into mosaics of habitat patches. Whether or not species are able to cross the boundaries of patches is crucial information for conservation planning. Thus, to advance understanding of bird behavioral abilities in fragmented landscapes, we constructed a conceptual framework for bird movement between patches based on previous studies. There are two important components of bird behavior on approaching a patch boundary: 1) recognition of the boundary, and 2) deciding between crossing the boundary or staying in the current patch. Birds are thought to recognize boundaries by the contrast, i.e., differences in vegetation structure between patches. Birds more readily recognize boundaries when there is high contrast between habitats on either side. Birds will make decisions on whether or not to cross to the other side depending on cost-benefit relationships of adjacent patches. The outcome of this two-step process may be used to assess the 'permeability' of a patch boundary for the bird species in question. Since birds have species-specific preferences for given patches, the permeability of a particular boundary will vary by bird species.
