Avian diversity in areas of differing prescribed fire cycles on reclaimed coal mines in Bell County, Ky

Abstract

Avian diversity in areas of differing prescribed fire cycles on reclaimed coal mines in Bell County, Ky James Ledford and Stephen Sumithran Department of Biological Sciences Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475 Grasslands are dynamic in space and time evolving in disturbances from fire and herbivores. However, studies on the responses of birds and other wildlife populations to fire and post-fire habitat changes are minimal. This study was conducted in the Appalachian mountains atop one of the first reclaimed mountaintop removal coal mines. We used the Merlin Bird ID app to record bird calls and identify their species. We recorded at three different sites i.e. current year burn, burned five years ago, and never burned. The results show that species richness and Shannon Weaver Diversity Index were highest in sites that were burned five years ago compared to unburned sites. Ledford contact information Email: [email protected] Phone Number: (606) 344-342