Effects of colony nesting of Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) on vegetation composition and soil nutrient concentration on southeastern Vancouver Island
2009
Shizu, R.(Chiba Univ., Matsudo (Japan)) | Minami, Y. | Katsumata, N. | Okitsu, S.
Effects of colony nesting of Great blue herons on understorey cover and species composition, and levels of deltasup(15)N, NO3-N and PO4-P in soil were studied in a big leaf maple forests at Chase River and Clamshell Road, Vancouver Island. Species composition did differ between study sites which had different nest densities but a dominant species was not changed. Total understorey cover and number of species declined with increasing nest density, and some burned plants were observed under the highest nest density. The level of sup(15)N enrichment in the soil as well as soil accumulations of NO3-N and PO4-P all related closely to increases in nest density. We conclude that the soil under the colony has undergone eutrophication by heron excrement, and the local vegetation has responded negatively. However, it was certain that Great blue herons played an important role to link marine and terrestrial ecosystems in coastal British Columbia.
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