Bird communities in mixed farming landscapes of the South Australian Murray–Mallee: The contribution of saltbush plantings

Abstract

Plantings of chenopod saltbushes (mainly Atriplex spp.) are increasing in South Australia to provide additional fodder for stock. The biodiversity benefits of these plantings were assessed by examining bird communities in two seasons (spring and autumn) at 16 sites, of four types: remnant native vegetation with adjacent saltbush, isolated remnant native vegetation, isolated saltbush, and conventionally managed agricultural land isolated from other vegetation in the South Australian Murray–Mallee. Sites with remnant native vegetation and adjacent saltbush showed the greatest bird abundance and species richness, as the adjacent saltbush plantings boosted bird species diversity at the patch level. Isolated saltbush sites supported mainly generalist and shrubland bird species. Bird communities were significantly different across the different site types, and abundances changed seasonally. Saltbush plantings provided improved habitat and biodiversity conservation value for birds over conventionally managed and cleared agricultural land. However, the simple structure of these monoculture plantings meant that they supported a significantly reduced suite of species compared with that in remnant native vegetation. Additional work is required to determine how birds use saltbush plantings—e.g. as permanent or supplementary habitat, or for use only by birds passing through.