Habitat fragmentation is a major driver of species loss. Here we test the hypotheses that high tree diversity
in a large deciduous forest enhances bird diversity and nest survival. We further expect that forest
edges support higher bird diversity when different habitat types adjoin, whereas nest predation is not
higher, because the large forest area mitigates potential edge effects. We studied how edge-centre differences
and tree diversity (beech-dominated vs. tree-species rich) affect the bird community and survival
rates of ground breeding birds’ nests based on an artificial nest predation experiment in the Hainich
National Park, Germany. We surveyed birds three times during the breeding season. We selected six forest
stands with low tree diversity (i.e. dominated by beech) and six with high tree diversity (i.e. tree-species
rich). Each forest stand contained four bird survey plots (plot 1: 0–30 m, plot 2: 60–90 m, plot 3:
120–150 m and plot 4: 180–210 m distant from edge; altogether 48 bird survey plots). Additionally each
plot corner contained one artificial ground nest baited with one Blue-breasted Quail egg and one plasticine
egg for eight days of exposure in the middle of the breeding season. Bird abundance and diversity
were higher in the first 30 m of the forest. Bird diversity, including ground breeding birds, was also
enhanced by higher percentages of bushes, which can provide enhanced food supply, perches as well
as sheltering. Nest predation showed no edge effect, supporting the idea that small area of forest fragments
causes more important negative effects than the edge in large forest remnants. Predation rates
were higher in tree-species rich stands compared to beech-dominated stands, probably due to greater
diversity and density of mammalian predators. Edge effects shaped the bird community composition
and positively affected abundances of tree and shrub breeding birds, but did not affect ground breeders
and the nest predation of ground nests. Shrub breeders accumulating in forest edges might, however, suffer
more from nest predation in forest fragments. In conclusion, bird diversity and avian egg predation
were affected by both forest edges and tree diversity in surprisingly different ways.