Bird communities associated with live residual tree patches within cut blocks and burned habitat in mixedwood boreal forests

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1281-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Schieck ◽  
Keith A Hobson
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Forest Birds ◽  
Forest Bird ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Riparian Habitats ◽  
Residual Tree ◽  
Mixedwood Boreal Forest ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

By retaining patches of trees in cut blocks, managers expect to retain some forest birds and create bird communities more similar to those found after fires. We surveyed birds from a range of patch sizes (1 to >3000 live residual trees), at four ages (2, 15, 30, 60 years), following two disturbance types (harvest, fire) in mixedwood boreal forest. Bird communities varied among patch sizes, forest ages, and disturbance types. Immediately post-disturbance, bird communities from large patches (>100 residual trees) were more similar to those from old forest than were communities from small patches ([Formula: see text]10 residual trees). Birds that nest or forage in open or riparian habitats had highest densities in small patches 2 years post-harvest, whereas birds that nest in large snags had highest densities in small patches 2 years post-fire. Throughout the chronosequence following both disturbance types, birds from small patches became more similar to those from old forest. Birds that nest and forage in small trees and shrubs were common 15 and 30 years post-disturbance, and generalist forest birds were common 60 years post-disturbance. Birds associated with old forest were present in all patch sizes 15, 30, and 60 years post-disturbance, although larger patches had higher densities of these species.

scholarly journals Partial harvesting in the Canadian boreal: Success will depend on stand dynamic responses

2007 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
H C Thorpe ◽  
S C Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Partial Harvest ◽  
Partial Harvesting ◽  
Structural Retention

In the past 10 to 15 years, alternative silvicultural treatments involving partial harvesting have been developed for boreal forests, with the goal of achieving a balance between biodiversity maintenance and continued timber production. Most prior research has focussed on the impacts of partial harvesting on biological diversity, while stand dynamic responses remain little studied. In this paper we explore partial stand harvesting in the Canadian boreal—its rationale, current extent, and impact on stand dynamic patterns. Empirical studies from the boreal and elsewhere indicate that residual trees of many species respond to partial harvesting with enhanced growth, commonly showing a lagged response after which peak growth occurs five to 25 years following harvest. Post-harvest mortality is also prevalent but much more variable, with losses of residual trees ranging from nearly zero to more than 50% above background mortality rates in the initial years following harvest. With the exception of strip cutting in parts of northern Ontario and Quebec (HARP/CPPTM), operational partial harvesting in the Canadian boreal currently involves very low levels of retention. Available data suggest that such low retention levels, particularly when spatially dispersed, generally result in unacceptably high rates of post-harvest mortality, which are unlikely to be offset by increases in residual tree growth. There is an urgent need for development of spatially explicit stand simulation models that will allow accurate yield predictions for partial harvest systems to assess their feasibility in boreal forest management. Key words: ecosystem management, natural disturbance emulation, boreal forest, partial cut, structural retention, growth response, windthrow, post-harvest mortality

Conservation of future boreal forest bird communities considering lags in vegetation response to climate change: a modified refugia approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1112-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Stralberg ◽  
Erin M. Bayne ◽  
Steven G. Cumming ◽  
Péter Sólymos ◽  
Samantha J. Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Vegetation Response ◽  
Forest Bird

Changes in bird communities throughout succession following fire and harvest in boreal forests of western North America: literature review and meta-analyses

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 1299-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Schieck ◽  
Samantha J Song
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Forest Birds ◽  
Western North America ◽  
Meta Analyses

Within boreal forests of western North America, the dominant large-scale natural disturbance is wildfire. Thus, harvesting that is as similar as possible to fire is expected to best maintain natural bird communities. We reviewed studies of birds (mainly grouse, woodpeckers, and songbirds) from boreal forests of western North America and conducted meta-analyses to compare the similarity of bird communities occurring postfire versus postharvest. We compared the bird communities at five seral stages and also summarized the effects of retaining large live trees at harvest. Bird communities immediately postharvest differed greatly from those postfire. Differences between disturbance types disappeared as the forest regenerated, and both disturbance types became dominated by relatively few bird species in 31- to 75-year-old forests. During the period 76–125 years postdisturbance, old-forest birds became present and bird species richness increased. However, the trajectory of forest succession during this period influenced bird communities; old aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), old mixedwood, and old white spruce (Picea glauca Moench (Voss)) forests all had different bird communities. Retention of large live trees in cutblocks resulted in their use by many old-forest birds, but results were not consistent among studies. Although most bird species had clear peaks in abundance in a specific forest type, no species with more than five detections was limited to a single forest type.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Pox-Like Lesions and Malaria in Forest Bird Communities on Leeward Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii

The Condor ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carter T. Atkinson ◽  
Julie K. Lease ◽  
Robert J. Dusek ◽  
Michael D. Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Forest Birds ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Mauna Loa ◽  
Forest Bird ◽  
Loxops Coccineus ◽  
Zosterops Japonicus

AbstractIntroduced avian pox virus and malaria have had devastating impacts on native Hawaiian forest birds, yet little has been published about their prevalence and distribution in forest bird communities outside of windward Hawaii Island. We surveyed native and non-native forest birds for these two diseases at three different elevations on leeward Mauna Loa Volcano at the Kona Forest Unit of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Prevalence of malaria by both serology and microscopy varied by elevation and ranged from 28% at 710 m to 13% at 1830 m. Prevalence of pox-like lesions also varied by altitude, ranging in native species from 10% at 710 m to 2% at 1830 m. Native species at all elevations had the highest prevalence of malarial antibody and pox-like lesions. By contrast, pox-like lesions were not detected in individuals of four non-native species and only 5% of Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) was positive for malaria. A significantly high proportion of birds with pox-like lesions also had serological evidence of concurrent, chronic malarial infections, suggesting an interaction between these diseases, dual transmission of both diseases by the primary mosquito vector (Culex quinquefasciatus) or complete recovery of some pox-infected birds without loss of toes. Results from this study document high prevalence of malaria and pox at this refuge. Development of effective disease control strategies will be important for restoration of remnant populations of the endangered ‘Akiapola‘au (Hemignathus munroi), Hawaii Creeper (Oreomystis mana), and Hawaii ‘Akepa (Loxops coccineus coccineus) that still occur on the refuge.Prevalencia de Lesiones del Tipo de la Viruela Aviar y Malaria en Comunidades de Aves de Bosque en el Volcán Leeward Mauna Loa, HawaiResumen. La malaria y la viruela aviar, ambas introducidas, han tenido un impacto devastador sobre las aves nativas de bosque, pero se ha publicado poco sobre su prevalencia y distribución en las comunidades fuera de la isla de Hawai. Muestreamos aves de bosque nativas y no nativas para determinar la presencia de estas dos enfermedades a diferentes elevaciones en el volcán Mauna Loa en la Unidad Forestal de Kona del Refugio de Fauna Silvestre del Bosque Nacional de Hakalau. La prevalencia de malaria determinada a través de serología y microscopía varió con la altitud entre un 28% a 710 m y un 13% a 1830 m. La prevalencia de lesiones del tipo de la viruela aviar también varió con la altitud, entre un 10% a 710 m y un 2% a 1839 m en especies nativas. Las especies nativas tuvieron la más alta prevalencia de anticuerpos contra malaria y lesiones del tipo de la viruela aviar. De modo contrastante, las lesiones del tipo de la viruela aviar no se detectaron en individuos de cuatro especies no nativas y sólo el 5% de los individuos de la especie Zosterops japonicus fue positivo para malaria. Una proporción significativamente alta de las aves con lesiones del tipo de la viruela aviar también presentaron evidencia serológica de infecciones crónicas de malaria simultáneas, sugiriendo una interacción entre estas dos enfermedades, transmisión dual de las enfermedades por el vector principal (el mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus) o recuperación completa en algunas aves infectadas con viruela aviar sin la pérdida de dedos. Los resultados de este estudio documentan altas prevalencias de malaria y viruela aviar en este refugio. El desarrollo de estrategias de control de estas enfermedades será importante para la restauración de las poblaciones remanentes de las especies en peligro Hemignathus munroi, Oreomystis mana, y Loxops coccineus coccineus que aún existen en el refugio.

scholarly journals Stand age and species composition effects on surface albedo in a mixedwood boreal forest

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdul Halim ◽  
Han Y. H. Chen ◽  
Sean C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Mixedwood Boreal Forest ◽  
Broadleaf Species

Abstract. Surface albedo is one of the most important processes governing climate forcing in the boreal forest and is directly affected by management activities such as harvesting and natural disturbances such as forest fires. Empirical data on effects of these disturbances on boreal forest albedo are sparse. We conducted ground-based measurements of surface albedo from a series of instrument towers over four years in a replicated chronosequence of mixedwood boreal forest sites differing in stand age (year since disturbance) in both post-harvest and post-fire stands. We investigated the effects of stand age, canopy height, tree species composition, and ground vegetation cover on surface albedo through stand development. Our results indicate that winter and spring albedo values were 63 and 24 % higher, respectively, in post-harvest stands than in post-fire stands. Winter and summer albedos saturated at ~ 50 years of stand age in both post-harvest and post-fire stands. Albedo differences between post-harvest and post-fire stands were most pronounced during winter and spring in young stands (0–19 years post-disturbance). The proportion of deciduous broadleaf species showed a strong positive relationship with seasonal albedo in both post-harvest and post-fire stands. Given that stand composition in mixedwood boreal forests generally shows a gradual replacement of deciduous trees by conifers, our results suggest that successional changes in species composition are likely a key driver of age-related patterns in albedo. Our findings also suggest the efficacy of increasing the proportion of deciduous broadleaf species as a silvicultural option for climate-friendly management of boreal forest.

scholarly journals Stand age and species composition effects on surface albedo in a mixedwood boreal forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4357-4375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdul Halim ◽  
Han Y. H. Chen ◽  
Sean C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Mixedwood Boreal Forest ◽  
Broadleaf Species

Abstract. Surface albedo is one of the most important processes governing climate forcing in the boreal forest and is directly affected by management activities such as harvesting and natural disturbances such as forest fires. Empirical data on the effects of these disturbances on boreal forest albedo are sparse. We conducted ground-based measurements of surface albedo from a series of instrument towers over 4 years in a replicated chronosequence of mixedwood boreal forest sites differing in stand age (to 19 years since disturbance) in both post-harvest and post-fire stands. We investigated the effects of stand age, canopy height, tree species composition, and ground vegetation cover on surface albedo through stand development. Our results indicate that winter and spring albedo values were 63 % and 24 % higher, respectively, in post-harvest stands than in post-fire stands. Summer and fall albedo values were similar between disturbance types, with summer albedo showing a transient peak at ∼10 years stand age. The proportion of deciduous broadleaf species showed a strong positive relationship with seasonal averages of albedo in both post-harvest and post-fire stands. Given that stand composition in mixedwood boreal forests generally shows a gradual replacement of deciduous trees by conifers, our results suggest that successional changes in species composition are likely a key driver of age-related patterns in albedo. Our findings also suggest the efficacy of increasing the proportion of deciduous broadleaf species as a silvicultural option for climate-friendly management of the boreal forest.

Pattern and process in forest bird communities on boreal landscapes originating from wildfire and timber harvest

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A Wyshynski ◽  
Thomas D Nudds
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Null Models ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Forest Practices ◽  
Boreal Landscapes

Policy direction to emulate natural disturbance in managed boreal forests has spurred a need to contrast the dynamics of biota on landscapes originating from timber harvest and from wildfire (hereafter, “managed” and “natural”). Typically, emphasis is on pattern emulation, and less on processes, such as competition, predation or habitat selection. Knowing how communities in the boreal forest assemble can provide further insight to the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on the processes responsible, permitting assessments about whether forestry practices emulate processes as well as patterns. We contrasted variation in species richness among forest types, with stand area, and between local (forest stand) and regional (landscape) scales on managed and natural boreal landscapes in NW Ontario. Species richness varied more among forest stand types than between landscapes, or with stand area, on either landscape. On both landscapes, mean local species richness was 1/3 of regional richness, consistent with the hypothesis that competition structured stand-level assemblages regardless of stand origin. We further compared the structure of stand-level assemblages from randomized null models using presence/absence and abundance data with observed assemblages on each landscape, while controlling for variation in habitat structure among stands. Local bird assemblages were over-dispersed in niche space relative to random assemblages, also consistent with the competition hypothesis, regardless of stand origin. We found no evidence that patterns of variation in diversity of songbirds and woodpeckers, nor the processes that govern them, differed between managed and natural boreal forest landscapes. Our results suggest that past forest practices in this region, if by default, nevertheless emulated natural patterns of variation in diversity and species assembly of bird communities. Key words: boreal forest, songbirds, woodpeckers, community assembly, null models, natural disturbance emulation, forestry, Ontario

A test of Ontario's Habitat Suitability Matrix as a forest management planning tool for forest birds

2007 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B Holmes ◽  
Lisa A Venier ◽  
Brian J Naylor ◽  
J. Ryan Zimmerling
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Forest Birds ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Forest Management Planning ◽  
Forest Bird

We used point-count data collected as part of Bird Studies Canada's Boreal Forest Bird Program to validate habitat suitability models for 22 forest bird species in Ontario's Habitat Suitability Matrix. We found that many of the species'models performed relatively poorly in discriminating between occupied and unoccupied sites, primarily due to the high error of commission rates (false positive predictions). Since species presence and abundance were assessed by single, five minute point counts, insufficient sampling was at least partly responsible for some of the observed over-prediction. Results suggested that model parameters for at least nine of the species tested (hairy woodpecker [Picoides villosus], blueheaded vireo [Vireo solitarius], red-eyed vireo [Vireo olivaceus], red-breasted nuthatch [Sitta canadensis], Swainson's thrush [Catharus ustulatus], hermit thrush [Catharus guttatus], Tennessee warbler [Vermivora peregrina], Blackburnian warbler [Dendroica fusca] and dark-eyed junco [Junco hyemalis]) should be reviewed to improve the predictive capability of the models and to ensure appropriate consideration of the habitat needs of these species during forest management planning. Key words: boreal forest, forest birds, discrimination capacity, habitat models, habitat suitability matrix, model accuracy, model validation, relative operating characteristic curve, ROC

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