Effects of area, isolation, and landscape on the avifauna of Carolina bays

Using mist nets. we examined the distribution of resident and migratory birds in nine Carolina bays (<1.0 to >80 ha) in Bladen County, North Carolina. We analyzed the influence of bay area, isolation, and landscape on species richness and relative abundance. Area accounted for greater than 60% of the variation in species richness among bays. Adjacent habitat also strongly influenced species richness (R-2 = 0.47). When considered individually, adjacent landscape was the only variable that weakly influenced relative abundance (R-2 = 0.28). The situation of bays within a broad habitat matrix and uniqueness as forested wetland depressions attracted a diversity of species. This study establishes Carolina bays as breeding habitat for several Neotropical migrants regarded as interior specialists and experiencing population declines throughout their ranges.