The Impact of Mountain Biking on Songbird Singing Frequency in Vermont's Forests
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
This study investigated the impacts of mountain biking on forest birds during the summer breeding season. We measured the singing frequencies of forest birds through audio surveys conducted at seven di:erent mountain biking trail networks in Northern Vermont. During the mountain biking disturbance treatment, the singing frequencies of birds significantly decreased on an individual and community level. Singing frequency recovered to pre-disturbance levels after biking treatments were carried out. Area sensitive birdsong frequency significantly decreased with the presence of biking, but non-area sensitive birdsong frequency was not significantly impacted. This study suggests that the presence of mountain biking causes forest birds to sing less, which could have health and reproductive e:ects on the birds. However, more investigation is necessary to determine the e:ects of continued disturbance on birdsong.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Allan Strong
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources
Program/Major
Environmental Sciences
Primary Research Category
Physical Science
The Impact of Mountain Biking on Songbird Singing Frequency in Vermont's Forests
This study investigated the impacts of mountain biking on forest birds during the summer breeding season. We measured the singing frequencies of forest birds through audio surveys conducted at seven di:erent mountain biking trail networks in Northern Vermont. During the mountain biking disturbance treatment, the singing frequencies of birds significantly decreased on an individual and community level. Singing frequency recovered to pre-disturbance levels after biking treatments were carried out. Area sensitive birdsong frequency significantly decreased with the presence of biking, but non-area sensitive birdsong frequency was not significantly impacted. This study suggests that the presence of mountain biking causes forest birds to sing less, which could have health and reproductive e:ects on the birds. However, more investigation is necessary to determine the e:ects of continued disturbance on birdsong.