Artificial nest boxes are placed to attract birds to nest and breed in a specific location,and they are widely used in avian ecology research and in the attraction of insectivorous birds.There is evidence that artific...Artificial nest boxes are placed to attract birds to nest and breed in a specific location,and they are widely used in avian ecology research and in the attraction of insectivorous birds.There is evidence that artificial nest boxes can adversely affect breeding fitness but no great focus has been placed on this issue by researchers.Therefore,we retrieved 321 research papers regarding artificial nest boxes published from 2003 to 2022 and used the'Biblioshiny'program to extract and integrate keywords;we then summarized the adverse effects of artificial nest boxes on avian breeding success.The studies highlighted many drawbacks and misuses in the designing and placement of nest boxes;furthermore,bird attraction was decreased by their inappropriate selection,thus reducing breeding success.Regarding nest box production,there were shortcomings in the construction material,color,smell,and structural design of the boxes used.Nest boxes were also placed at inappropriate densities,locations,orientations,heights,and managed incorrectly.Finally,we propose suggestions for more efficient and safer artificial nest boxes for future use in avian ecology research and bird conservation.展开更多
In this study, we examined the use of artificial nest boxes by Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) in three coniferous and mixed forests in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Six hundred and twelve boxes with diff...In this study, we examined the use of artificial nest boxes by Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) in three coniferous and mixed forests in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Six hundred and twelve boxes with different sized entry holes (ranging from 3 to 7 cm in diameter) were placed in the forests between 2004 and 2009. Pteromys volans used nine boxes in the coniferous forests and two boxes in the mixed forests. The squirrels only used boxes with entrance holes measuring 3.5, 4, and 5 cm in diameter, showing a strong and moderate preference for boxes with 5 and 4-cm holes, respectively, and a strong avoidance for boxes with 3- and 7-cm holes. Therefore, we suggest placing artificial nest boxes with entrance holes 5 cm in diameter to encourage breeding activity. Most nests made in the artificial boxes were composed of fibrous materials from woody vines. We recommend placing artificial nest boxes with holes of 5-cm diameter in coniferous forests, which support dense populations of P. volans, to survey whether this approach would positively affect the breeding habits and population maintenance of this species.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32170485,31501867)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2572022BE02)。
文摘Artificial nest boxes are placed to attract birds to nest and breed in a specific location,and they are widely used in avian ecology research and in the attraction of insectivorous birds.There is evidence that artificial nest boxes can adversely affect breeding fitness but no great focus has been placed on this issue by researchers.Therefore,we retrieved 321 research papers regarding artificial nest boxes published from 2003 to 2022 and used the'Biblioshiny'program to extract and integrate keywords;we then summarized the adverse effects of artificial nest boxes on avian breeding success.The studies highlighted many drawbacks and misuses in the designing and placement of nest boxes;furthermore,bird attraction was decreased by their inappropriate selection,thus reducing breeding success.Regarding nest box production,there were shortcomings in the construction material,color,smell,and structural design of the boxes used.Nest boxes were also placed at inappropriate densities,locations,orientations,heights,and managed incorrectly.Finally,we propose suggestions for more efficient and safer artificial nest boxes for future use in avian ecology research and bird conservation.
基金supported by LG Evergreen Foundation,Republic of Korea
文摘In this study, we examined the use of artificial nest boxes by Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) in three coniferous and mixed forests in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Six hundred and twelve boxes with different sized entry holes (ranging from 3 to 7 cm in diameter) were placed in the forests between 2004 and 2009. Pteromys volans used nine boxes in the coniferous forests and two boxes in the mixed forests. The squirrels only used boxes with entrance holes measuring 3.5, 4, and 5 cm in diameter, showing a strong and moderate preference for boxes with 5 and 4-cm holes, respectively, and a strong avoidance for boxes with 3- and 7-cm holes. Therefore, we suggest placing artificial nest boxes with entrance holes 5 cm in diameter to encourage breeding activity. Most nests made in the artificial boxes were composed of fibrous materials from woody vines. We recommend placing artificial nest boxes with holes of 5-cm diameter in coniferous forests, which support dense populations of P. volans, to survey whether this approach would positively affect the breeding habits and population maintenance of this species.