Avian Species Diversity in Relation to Beaver Pond Habitats in the Piedmont Region of South Carolina

The seasonal structure of avian communities associated with beaver pond habitats was studied by examination of bird species diversity. Beaver pond avifaunas were highly diverse during every season but reached maximal values during the spring and summer. The importance of beaver ponds as wildlife habitat is due to a series of factors related to their structural complexity. As a result, they attract birds which are normally not associated with wetland habitats and provide excellent opportunities for multiuse wildlife management.