CHAPTER 12 BIRD COMMUNITIES IN RELATION TO WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT by Klaus O. Richter and Amanda L. Azous

INTRODUCTION Wetlands are recognized because of the disproportionate habitat value they provide for birds (Chapter 6 in this volume). Wetlands, however, are under increasing threat from watershed development in urbanizing areas. Landscape conversion from forests to residential housing and other developments remove or alter habitat immediately adjacent to wetlands and fragment habitat that remains. Moreover, wetlands themselves may be altered in their hydrology and water quality, directly influencing bird populations or indirectly affecting them by altering wetland vegetation. Collectively, these alterations may change breeding, nesting or feeding habitat and competitive interactions among and between species resulting in population shifts.