Abstract
Humans have cultivated land for centuries but this activity has intensified significantly during the last decades. Such intensification resulted in a steep decline of farmland biodiversity including birds.
Woody patches (e.g., woodlots and hedgerows) are thus an important refuge for birds in farmland. We focus our review on: (i) description of patch characteristics influencing bird communities, (ii) exploration of differences in bird responses to these influences in relation to species' ecological traits, and (iii) management recommendations.
In respect of birds' habitat preferences, species occurring in woody patches can be sorted into two groups: forest birds and farmland birds. These groups show divergent relationships to patch characteristics.
Forest birds are generalists predominantly affected by patch area and their species richness is higher in larger patches. However, even the largest patches are a suboptimal habitat for forest birds.
In contrast, woody patches are a key and unreplaceable habitat for farmland birds. Their community metrics are unrelated to patch area.
Instead, these species depend on habitat quality in woody patches. Specifically, birds prefer patches with higher vegetation heterogeneity, presence of cavity and fruit trees and patches surrounded by well-developed herbaceous vegetation.
Development of these characteristics should be considered when planning suitable patch management.