Boneyard Birds Dataset

Description

Data collected from bird populations using cemeteries in southwest Virginia, USA, for the purposes of exploring how cemetery structures, especially grave markers, may impact avian communities and birds' use of these green spaces.

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Field Sites Data was collected in 4 cemeteries in the Roanoke/Salem metropolitan area of southwest Virginia, USA (53˚30’12.0”N, 90˚27’37.2”W; elevation 297m). These cemeteries collectively contained diverse grave marker styles, ranging from organized grids of uniformly flat markers even with the ground to more scattered upright markers of individualized heights and shapes. Distance between sites ranged from 0km (directly adjacent) to 2.9km apart and sizes ranged from 44,606m2 to 370,130m2 . Habitat structural measures Points for sampling were selected based on initial visual inspection of cemetery grounds and categorized as either heterogeneous upright or homogeneous flat marker areas. Points had a 25-meter radius and were centered so that the relevant grave marker type was distributed throughout the point area. Within a 25-meter radius of each point center, the height of the tallest and shortest markers as well as the number of trees or shrubs over 1.5 meters tall and 0.1-1.5 meters tall. Average height of all markers, variance in marker height, marker density, and number of markers of 8 different shape categories were collected within a 10-meter radius of the point, as the full 25m radius was impractical for these measures due to the large number of grave markers this would encompass. Avian species richness and abundance Species richness and abundance were surveyed via one 8-minute point count at each sample point. Counts were conducted between 9am and 12:30pm, and included any birds that landed in or flew through a 25m radius around the observer. Birds that were audible but not visible were not counted unless their location could be confirmed after the point count, so as to ensure that all counted birds were within the 25m radius. These counts were conducted during the mid- to late breeding season (June-August). Individual behavioral observations Birds were selected by the observer walking through the cemetery grounds until an individual of 1 of the 4 focal species was located. The observer approached slowly to gain a clear view (generally no closer than ~25m) and stopped before the bird became visibly alert. The individual was observed for several consecutive minutes. Habitat structural features that individuals interacted with and the behaviors associated with these features were noted. Observations ended when 1) view of the individual was lost 2) the individual left the cemetery grounds, or 3) the observation lasted at least 5 consecutive minutes. Habitat structural features of interest were upright markers, flat markers, trees/shrubs, ground, non-cemetery-specific structures (fences, powerlines, buildings, etc.), and graveside décor (flags, flowers, etc.). Each unique instance of a behavior was counted, as were each independent interaction with a habitat structural feature, per minute of the observation to account for differences in observation length. Observations were conducted during the mid- to late breeding season (June-August).

Institutions

• Radford University

  VA, Radford

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