Nestedness was examined for vascular planes and birds in the centres and ed
ges of 26 sites of ancient oak-hazel woodland in Sweden. Both taxa exhibite
d significant nestedness in site centres and for whole sites, but not at th
e edges for birds. Woodland ranks of nestedness differed between plants and
birds. Rank of nestedness of birds, but not of plants, depended on area. H
orizontal habitat structure affected nestedness of both plants and birds. M
obility appears decisive for creating rank differences between sites for va
rious taxa. High mobility may also explain a greater edge effect in birds f
rom allochtonous, more or less transient individuals. Nestedness in relatio
n to mobility, particularly at edges, should be of theoretical interest. Th
e possible use of nestedness patterns in conservation makes further analyse
s urgent for less mobile taxa.