Endangered lowland oak forest steppe remnants keep unique bird species richness in Central Hungary

Abstract The biodiversity of natural or semi-natural native, old oak woodlands have high conservation importance, especially in landscapes monocultural forest plantations and arable fields. With a wider variety microhabitats foraging sources, such forests can provide essential habitat for native bird communities. We conducted study using point counts to compare the communities pedunculate ( Quercus robur ) remnants with non-native central Hungary landscape mostly fields, settlements, plantations. Avian surveys were carried out remnants, middle-aged oak, white poplar Populus alba ), hybrid × euramericana black locust Robinia pseudoacacia pine Pinus spp.) Fieldwork has been nine sites, where all six types represented (with few exceptions), determine total abundance, species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity, evenness, dominant indicator species, guild abundances. found that most diverse habitats among studied types, while exhibited lowest avian biodiversity. guilds sensitive loss ground foragers, bark cavity-nesters, residents, Mediterranean migratory birds. Native more than Our results suggest it is important conserve remaining stands avoid clear-cutting favour practices as mixed-species plantations, longer rotation lengths, retention forestry.