Relationship between species composition and area in breeding birds of urban woods in Seoul, Korea

Relationships between species composition of breeding birds and area were investigated in 43 urban woods, ranging from 0.15 to 356 ha from mid-May to late June in 1992 and 1993. Bird communities were surveyed by line transect census. Forty-one bird species were recorded, and the species composition changed and some species were added or omitted as the area increased. On the whole, area of the urban woods was a good indicator of species richness, S=4.76A0.21 (S: species, A: area in hectare) on the area of urban forests. Area is also correlated with number of species of each guild classified according to nesting sites, foraging sites and migration habits, respectively. The numbers of species nesting or foraging in the canopy and residents was higher regardless of area. The number of species using bush was most sensitive to area. On the other hand, hole-nesting birds were most insensitive. We suggest some management plans of bird conservation in urban woods in Seoul.