Biodiversity is increasingly dependent on the ecological state of agricultural and livestock systems. Here, we assess the relationship between bird functional and taxonomic diversity and forest structure along a gradient in grazing intensity in xerophytic forests in Central-East Argentina. We found that bird functional diversity responds more to forest structure variables than taxonomic diversity. Further, we found a non-linear response of functional and taxonomic richness to grazing intensity, peaking at intermediate intensity. Mature forests with older trees and low grazing intensity favored a wider range of bird traits, such as seed dispersal and cavity nesters. In particular, taxonomic and functional diversity significantly increased with increasing canopy cover and DBH. In contrast, shrub encroachment, high grazing intensity, and the decrease of tree density and cover were associated with reduced functional diversity, affecting various nesting, foraging, and habitat requirements of birds. We recommend preserving high canopy cover and older trees and maintaining low grazing intensities to create a synergy between livestock production and biodiversity conservation.

生物多样性越来越依赖于农业和畜牧业系统的生态状况。在这里，我们评估了阿根廷中东部旱生森林中鸟类功能和分类多样性与森林结构之间沿放牧强度梯度的关系。我们发现鸟类功能多样性对森林结构变量的反应比分类多样性更多。此外，我们发现功能和分类学丰富度对放牧强度的非线性响应，在中等强度时达到峰值。具有老树和低放牧强度的成熟森林有利于更广泛的鸟类特征，例如种子传播和空洞巢穴。特别是，随着冠层覆盖和胸径的增加，分类学和功能多样性显着增加。相比之下，灌木侵占、高放牧强度、树木密度和覆盖率的降低与功能多样性的降低有关，影响了鸟类的各种筑巢、觅食和栖息地需求。我们建议保留高冠层覆盖和老树，并保持低放牧强度，以在畜牧生产和生物多样性保护之间产生协同作用。