The Effect of Transmission-line Corridors on Bird Populations

Abstract

Observations of bird populations were made along transmission-line corridors of 4 different widths (12, 30.5, 61, 91.5 m) in areas in which the transmission-line rights-of-way traversed typical E Tennessee [USA] deciduous forest. Detail grid-mapping of individual birds was conducted in forest and in a 30.5 m-wide corridor habitat. Narrow corridors (12 m) had reduced bird species diversity, but the 30.5 m corridor had high bird density and diversity. The wider corridors were less diverse but attracted several open-country bird species not characteristic of surrounding forest. Significance of the effects of the 30.5 cm corridor on the distribution of 35 bird species was determined. The highest species diversity was associated with the forest habitat.