Response of Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) to boreal silviculture and forest stand edges: a radio-tracking study

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 474-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Aubry ◽  
André Desrochers ◽  
Gilles Seutin
Keyword(s):  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Catharus Bicknelli ◽  
Bicknell's Thrush

Society and regulatory regimes require that biodiversity conservation, and especially the protection of threatened species, be integrated into land-use planning and management. Bicknell’s Thrush ( Catharus bicknelli (Ridgway, 1882)) is an at-risk species breeding in montane balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill.) dominated areas of northeastern North America. We monitored 34 individual Bicknell’s Thrushes by radio telemetry in southern Quebec to examine the size, location, and habitat composition of their home ranges in areas where clear-cutting and precommercial thinning occurred. Home ranges of Bicknell’s Thrush comprised more dense balsam fir stands and fewer thinned stands than available. Within home ranges, thrushes were found more frequently in unthinned balsam fir stands than in thinned stands, and they did not avoid edges. In fact, they were found disproportionately near edges of recently thinned stands. We conclude that Bicknell’s Thrushes may coexist with forest management practices that maintain a landscape mosaic dominated by dense balsam fir patches interspersed with thinned stands.

scholarly journals Comparing fall migration of three Catharus species using a radio-telemetry network

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Camille Bégin Marchand ◽  
André Desrochers ◽  
Junior A. Tremblay ◽  
Pascal Côté
Keyword(s):  
Small Area ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Monitoring Networks ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Catharus Ustulatus ◽  
Swainson’S Thrush ◽  
Catharus Bicknelli ◽  
Bicknell's Thrush

AbstractMigration routes vary greatly among small passerine species and populations. It is now possible to determine the routes over great distances and long periods of time with emerging monitoring networks. We tracked individual Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) and Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) in northeastern Quebec and compared their migration routes and paces across an array of radio-telelemetry stations in North America. Swainson’s Thrush migrated further inland than the other two species. Individuals from all three species slowed their migration pace in the southeastern United States, and Swainson’s Thrush was more likely to stopover than Bicknell’s Thrush. Although individuals were tagged in a small area within or close to their breeding range, the results document the variability of migration routes between species with similar ecological characteristics and provide detailed material to be used for migration studies with broader taxonomic or ecological scope.

Long-term outcome of precommercial thinning in northwestern New Brunswick: growth and yield of balsam fir and red spruce

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 592-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Pitt ◽  
Len Lanteigne
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Minimum Requirement

A study was established between 1959 and 1961 to study the long-term responses of balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) to precommercial thinning. Three nominal spacings of 4 ft (1.2 m), 6 ft (1.8 m), and 8 ft (2.4 m) were compared with an unthinned control in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. At the time of thinning, natural regeneration averaged 16 years of age, 8 years after harvest. Although thinning had minimal effect on gross total volume production over a 42 to 44 year observation period, actual spacings between 2.1 and 2.5 m produced an average of 360 m3·ha–1gross merchantable volume (GMV), representing a 21% gain over unthinned stands. The same spacings produced quadratic mean diameters of 21 and 23 cm, respectively, compared with 18 cm in the unthinned stands. These size increases translated to individual stem volume gains of 33% and 62%, significantly reducing the age at which thinned stands would meet a specified minimum requirement for merchantability or habitat. The mean annual increment of GMV ranged from 6 m3·ha–1·year–1in unthinned stands, to more than 7 m3·ha·–1·year–1in the thinned stands, and had not yet culminated an average of 50 years postharvest.

Effects of precommercial thinning on the forest value chain in northwestern New Brunswick: Part 4 – Lumber production, quality and value

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (04) ◽  
pp. 474-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Duchesne ◽  
Doug G. Pitt ◽  
Francis Tanguay
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basic Density ◽  
Production Quality ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Appreciable Effect ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Product Value ◽  
Negative Effect

Forty-eight years after application, three nominal precommercial thinning (PCT) spacings of 4 ft (1.2 m), 6 ft (1.8 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) were compared to an unthinned control in six replicate, balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.)-dominated stands. Within three of these replicates chosen for clearcut harvest in 2008, a total of 150 trees were bucked into 479 sawlogs that produced 10 829 board feet of lumber. PCT had a positive impact on Premium lumber grade recovery per tree, increasing it from an average of 9 foot board measure (fbm) in the unthinned control plots, to 22 fbm in plots nominally spaced to 8 ft (p = 0.02). No. 2 & Better grade yields increased from 42 to 76 fbm/tree in these same sets of plots (p < 0.01). PCT to 6 ft and 8 ft increased the production of 2×4 and 2×6 lumber over the control (p ≤ 0.04). Stand-level gross total product value increased between 11% and 23% in thinned stands (estimated at +$3000 to +$6600 per ha, p < 0.01). PCT had no appreciable effect on sawn lumber wood density (p ≥ 0.26) or lumber stiffness (MOE; ≤-6.2%, p ≥ 0.11), but had a negative effect on lumber strength (MOR; ≤ -13.4%, p ≤ 0.03) and wood basic density at stump height (≤- 7%; p < 0.01). MDF panel properties were generally good, regardless of spacing. We recommend thinning young balsam fir stands to a maximum nominal spacing of 6 ft (1.2 m) to maintain satisfactory lumber mechanical properties and maximize product value per hectare.

Changes in root morphology after precommercial thinning in balsam fir stands

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 2452-2459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Catherine Larouche ◽  
Alexis Achim
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Beam Shape ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Density Control ◽  
Over Time

Precommercial thinning is often used to control stand density in naturally regenerated balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands. Early stand density control could have beneficial effects on longer term stand stability through a modification of stem shape and root development. To assess the effect of precommercial thinning, two thinned and two unthinned stands were selected. Root sections were collected at 25 cm from the centre of the stem for all major roots (diameter greater than 2 cm). A disk was also cut at breast height level. From these disks, response in radial growth was determined. Detailed root measurements were taken on the sample disks to assess treatment effect on the following variables: asymmetry in root cross-sectional area (CSA) distribution, individual root shape, as well as changes in root shape over time. A quick and pronounced response in root growth occurred. This response was greater than that observed in the trunk. No asymmetry in root CSA distribution was observed at the stand level. Trees allocated more to radial growth above the biological centre of the root both in treated and control stands, but this trend was increased by thinning. Roots also tended to develop T-beam shapes over time, both in control and thinned stands. Most roots initially did not possess an I-beam shape and did not develop one during the course of the study. According to our results, trees respond quickly to the new growing conditions created by thinning by increasing biomass allocation to parts of the roots where mechanical stresses are greater.

Riparian forest strips as habitat for snowshoe hare in a boreal balsam fir forest

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1494-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Darveau ◽  
Jean Huot ◽  
Louis Bélanger
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Buffer Effect ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Local Perturbations ◽  
Open Question

Riparian forest strips are usually protected from logging for their buffer effect on aquatic habitats. However, their value to terrestrial wildlife species such as snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus Erxleben) is unknown. From 1990 to 1996, we compared habitat characteristics (shrubs and saplings 0.25-2.25 m high), hare browsing, and hare pellet densities in five types of experimental riparian forest strips (20, 40, 60, and >300 m wide intact strips, and 20 m wide thinned strips), in a humid boreal balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) landscape managed primarily for timber harvesting in Quebec. Based on coniferous and deciduous shrub densities, all riparian forest strips and adjacent clearcuts remained low-quality habitats for hare over 6 years following clear-cutting. Only 103 shrubs were browsed in a 1500-m2 area sampled over 3 years, of which only 33 had >20% of browsed stems. Nevertheless, pellet data revealed a low but sustained use of all strips each summer and winter, and there were no changes over 6 years (mean 280 pellets/ha per month; P > 0.05). Whether hare populations are cyclic or not in our region remains an open question. However, they show some fluctuations and timber harvesting coincided with "high" hare populations in our study area. Sampling in "low" years might show that fewer hares occupy the forest strips. Further work is required to determine the influence of regional and local perturbations on the use of riparian forest strips by snowshoe hares.

Effects of precommercial thinning on the forest value chain in northwestern New Brunswick: Part 3 – Incidence of root and butt decay

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (04) ◽  
pp. 464-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Warren ◽  
Patricia Baines ◽  
Jean Plamondon ◽  
Doug G. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Stem Form ◽  
Green River ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Butt Rot

The Green River precommercial thinning (PCT) trials were established between 1959 and 1961 in naturally regenerating balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.)-dominated stands an average of eight years after overstory removal. Three nominal spacings of 4 ft (1.2 m), 6 ft (1.8 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) were compared to an unthinned control in six replicate blocks. In the fall of 2008, following completion of the ninth sequential evaluation of the study’s 48 permanent sample plots, three of the six replicates were clearcut harvested; butt rot data were collected immediately afterwards. To date, forest management research and goals have focused on the benefits of PCT, such as increased tree size and merchantable volume, shorter rotation ages, and better stem form and uniformity. Comparatively little attention has been placed on negative aspects of PCT, such as the incidence and development of root and butt rots, and their impact on fibre yields and wood product values. Results from the Green River study provide evidence that PCT may increase the incidence of butt rot in balsam fir, with incidence proportional to thinning intensity (p < 0.01). We also observed incidence and volume of butt rot to increase with stem diameter (p ≤ 0.05). The experiment suggests that factors such as stand age at time of thinning, and age at the time of harvest are important considerations when it comes to mitigating the impacts of butt rot through forest management.

Effect of forest management on a rare habitat specialist, the Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli)

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Chisholm ◽  
M. L. Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Habitat Specialist ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Catharus Bicknelli ◽  
Bicknell's Thrush ◽  
The Impact

Forest dwelling birds with narrow habitat preferences may be vulnerable to habitat changes from forest management. The Bicknell’s Thrush ( Catharus bicknelli (Ridgway, 1882)), a rare habitat specialist, occupies dense regenerating forest, including stands managed for timber. However, little is known of the impact of various forestry practices on Bicknell’s Thrush abundance. The purpose of our study was to determine how Bicknell’s Thrush abundance varied across the stages of a managed forest and to determine if abundance was affected by precommercial thinning, a practice that reduces stem density. Bicknell’s Thrush was most abundant in stands that were regenerating after being clear-cut 11–13 years earlier and of sufficient height and stem density to undergo thinning. Thrush abundance declined following thinning and was positively related to the amount of unthinned area remaining in the stand. Over all stand types, thrush abundance increased with increasing elevation and with the density of stems between 5 and 10 cm in diameter, but decreased with increasing amounts of bare ground. The results of this study suggest that Bicknell’s Thrush may benefit from the early successional habitat associated with managed forests, but may be negatively affected by treatments such as precommercial thinning that reduce stem densities.

Regeneration and stand development following a spruce budworm outbreak, spruce budworm inspired harvest, and salvage harvest

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 1759-1770 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Eiry Spence ◽  
David A. MacLean
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Precommercial Thinning

Spruce budworm ( Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) (SBW) outbreaks are a major disturbance that influence stand dynamics and succession in balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) dominated forests of eastern Canada. We used stand and regeneration data collected from five plots in each of one immature and five mature stands before, during, and 30 years following the last major SBW outbreak in the Cape Breton Highlands to examine the role of stand and regeneration characteristics in shaping future stand development. Comparisons were also made between regeneration in four SBW outbreak stands versus two SBW salvage stands, with and without a subsequent precommercial thinning, and with 25 plots that underwent SBW emulation harvest. In mature unharvested balsam fir stands, species composition 30 years following the SBW outbreak was closely related to predisturbance species composition, and in immature fir stands, hardwood composition increased from 0% to 4%–27%. Species composition in harvested stands varied depending on whether intolerant hardwoods had been precommercially thinned, where thinned stands had 30% less hardwood 30 years postdisturbance than unthinned stands. Seedling density decreased by 17%–85% from 1979 to 1989 in all SBW outbreak stands, but average seedling height increased by 17%–500% as live canopy cover decreased from an average of 50% to 4%. Results suggest that advanced regeneration should be protected during harvest of balsam fir dominated stands, post-outbreak precommercial thinning will increase tree growth, and live tree retention can help develop late-seral structural characteristics in second-growth stands.

Marten use of clear-cuttings and residual forest stands in western Newfoundland

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce E. Snyder ◽  
John A. Bissonette
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Primary Method ◽  
Forest Operations ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Undisturbed Forest ◽  
Forest Habitats ◽  
Capture Rates

Marten (Martes americana) inhabit primarily old-growth coniferous and mixed wood forest habitats. Widespread forest harvest operations have prompted inquiries into whether residual patches of forest left after harvesting, or regenerating clear-cuttings, provide adequate habitat for marten. In western Newfoundland, the primary method of tree harvest has been clear-cutting of large tracts of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and black spruce (Picea mariana). The only remaining populations of marten in the province also are found in the western part of the island, with greatest densities near Little Grand Lake. This study was designed to determine if marten used regenerating clear-cuttings and small remnant patches of residual forest left after forest operations. Habitat use by marten was investigated by livetrapping and snow tracking. Residual stands were classified into five size categories, and clear-cuttings into three categories based on height of balsam fir regeneration. From June to December 1983, marten were trapped in 43 residual stands and 35 clear-cuttings. A total of 3587 trap nights yielded 57 captures of 10 male and 8 female marten. Six (10.5%) captures were in clear-cuttings, all <15 years old; 51 (89.5%) marten were captured in residual stands. Capture rates were 0.48 captures/100 trap nights in the clear-cuttings and 2.19 captures/100 trap nights in residual stands. Capture rates were greatest in residual stands 25 to 34.9 ha in size (4.62 captures/100 trap nights). From January to March 1984, marten tracks were followed for 29 km. Although clear-cuttings represented 41 % of the study area, only 26% of marten travel was recorded there, all in clear-cuttings <15 years old. Residual stands >25 ha and undisturbed forest composed 41.3% of the study area; 41.8% of marten travel was recorded there. Smaller residual areas (<25 ha) made up only 4.2% of the total area, but 32.4% of the marten travel was recorded in these areas. These data indicate that marten seldom used clear-cuttings and used residual stands >25 ha and undisturbed forests in proportion to their occurrence, but the use of smaller residual stands <25 ha was greater than expected.

Evaluating the effect of precommercial thinning on the resistance of balsam fir to windthrow through experimentation, modelling, and development of simple indices

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1844-1853 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Achim ◽  
J -C Ruel ◽  
B A Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Gradual Increase ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Green River ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Commercial Thinning ◽  
The Relationship

A tree-pulling experiment was carried out in stands of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) to evaluate the effects of early thinning on windthrow resistance. Forty trees from four stands were pulled over. Two stands had received a precommercial thinning 9 and 14 years previously, respectively, and the two others were unthinned controls. There were no significant inter-stand differences in the relationship between the critical turning moments required to overturn or snap the trees and their stem mass. The results were input into a model calculating critical wind speeds using the approach developed for the ForestGALES model. Simulations were run for four different stand densities. The mensurational characteristics for each run were taken from the results of a spacing trial established in balsam fir stands at Green River, New Brunswick. For stem breakage, the model predicted a gradual increase in critical wind speeds with wider spacing. The increase was smaller for tree overturning. The pattern of differences remained very similar after a simulated commercial thinning removing 30% of the basal area. Reductions in critical wind speeds were on the order of 4 m·s–1 in all cases. Simple indices were developed that could estimate the relative results given by the model.

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