scholarly journals Occupancy of the American Three-Toed Woodpecker in a Heavily-Managed Boreal Forest of Eastern Canada

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Vincent Lamarre ◽  
Junior A. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Old Growth Forest

The southern extent of the boreal forest in North America has experienced intensive human disturbance in recent decades. Among these, forest harvesting leads to the substantial loss of late-successional stands that include key habitat attributes for several avian species. The American Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis, is associated with continuous old spruce forests in the eastern part of its range. In this study, we assessed the influence of habitat characteristics at different scales on the occupancy of American Three-toed Woodpecker in a heavily-managed boreal landscape of northeastern Canada, and we inferred species occupancy at the regional scale. We conducted 185 playback stations over two breeding seasons and modelled the occupancy of the species while taking into account the probability of detection. American Three-toed Woodpecker occupancy was lower in stands with large areas recently clear-cut, and higher in landscapes with large extents of old-growth forest dominated by black spruce. At the regional scale, areas with high probability of occupancy were scarce and mostly within protected areas. Habitat requirements of the American Three-toed Woodpecker during the breeding season, coupled with overall low occupancy rate in our study area, challenge its long-term sustainability in such heavily managed landscapes. Additionally, the scarcity of areas of high probability of occupancy in the region suggests that the ecological role of old forest outside protected areas could be compromised.

scholarly journals Occupancy of the American Three-toed Woodpecker in a Heavily Managed Boreal Forest of Eastern Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Lamarre ◽  
Junior A. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Old Growth Forest

The southern extent of the boreal forest in North America has experienced intensive human disturbance in the past decades. Among these, forest harvesting leads to the substantial loss of late-successional stands that include key habitat attributes for several avian species. The American Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis, is associated with continuous old spruce forests in the eastern part of its range. In this study, we assess the influence of habitat characteristics at different scales on the occupancy of American Three-toed Woodpecker in a heavily managed boreal landscape of northeastern Canada, and we inferred species occupancy at the regional scale. We conducted 185 playback stations over two breeding seasons and modelled the occupancy of the species while taking into account the probability of detection. American Three-toed Woodpecker occupancy was lower in stands with large areas recently clear-cut, and higher in landscapes with large extents of old-growth forest dominated by black spruce. At the regional scale, areas with high probability of occupancy were scarce and mostly within protected areas. Habitat requirements of the American Three-toed Woodpecker during the breeding season, coupled with over-all low occupancy rate in our study area, challenge its long-term sustainability in such heavily managed landscapes. Additionally, the scarcity of areas of high probability of occupancy in the region suggest that the ecological role of old forest outside protected areas could be compromised.

scholarly journals Regional Climate, Edaphic Conditions and Establishment Substrates Interact to Influence Initial Growth of Black Spruce and Jack Pine Planted in the Boreal Forest

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Henneb ◽  
Nelson Thiffault ◽  
Osvaldo Valeria
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Wood Fiber ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Growth Monitoring ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Growth Variability ◽  
Pinus Spp ◽  
Precipitation And Temperature

In eastern Canada, spruces (Picea spp.) and pines (Pinus spp.) are among the main commercial species being logged for their lumber or wood fiber. Annually, about 175 million seedlings are planted in areas totaling ~100,000 ha. Appropriate microsite selection is essential during reforestation operations, given that it can improve the chances of survival and initial growth of the seedlings. In fir (Abies spp.) and spruce forests of eastern Canada, the optimal characteristics of establishment microsites have yet to be identified; these would be determined by different physical and climatic variables operating at several scales. Our study determined the influence of climatic (regional-scale), edaphic (stand-scale), local (microsite-scale) and planting conditions on the establishment substrate and initial growth of black spruce (Picea mariana Britton, Sterns and Poggenb.) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.). Substrate characterization and growth monitoring (three growing seasons) for the two species were conducted on 29 planted cutblocks that were distributed over an east–west climatic gradient (precipitation and temperature) in the balsam fir and black spruce–feather moss forests of Quebec (Canada). Linear mixed models and multivariate analyses (PCAs) determined the effects of climatic, edaphic and micro-environmental variables and their interactions on the establishment substrate and seedling initial growth. The predictive models explained, respectively, 61% and 75% of the growth variability of black spruce and jack pine. Successful establishment of black spruce and jack pine depended upon regional conditions of precipitations and temperature, as well as on their interactions with stand-scale edaphic variables (surface deposit, drainage and slope) and local variables (micro-environmental) at the microsite-scale (establishment substrate types and substrate temperature). Mineral, organo-mineral and organic establishment substrates exerted mixed effects on seedling growth according to regional precipitation and temperature conditions, as well as their interactions with edaphic and local variables at the stand and microsite-scales, respectively.

Structure, composition, and diversity of old-growth black spruce boreal forest of the Clay Belt region in Quebec and Ontario

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
pp. S79-S98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Harper ◽  
Catherine Boudreault ◽  
Louis DeGrandpré ◽  
Pierre Drapeau ◽  
Sylvie Gauthier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Old Growth Forests

Old-growth black spruce (Picea mariana) boreal forest in the Clay Belt region of Ontario and Quebec is an open forest with a low canopy, quite different from what many consider to be "old growth". Here, we provide an overview of the characteristics of old-growth black spruce forest for three different site types on organic, clay, and coarse deposits. Our objectives were (1) to identify the extent of older forests; (2) to describe the structure, composition, and diversity in different age classes; and (3) to identify key processes in old-growth black spruce forest. We sampled canopy composition, deadwood abundance, understorey composition, and nonvascular plant species in 91 forest stands along a chronosequence that extended from 20 to more than 250 years after fire. We used a peak in tree basal area, which occurred at 100 years on clay and coarse sites and at 200 years on organic sites, as a process-based means of defining the start of old-growth forest. Old-growth forests are extensive in the Clay Belt, covering 30–50% of the forested landscape. Black spruce was dominant on all organic sites, and in all older stands. Although there were fewer understorey species and none exclusive to old-growth, these forests were structurally diverse and had greater abundance of Sphagnum, epiphytic lichens, and ericaceous species. Paludification, a process characteristic of old-growth forest stands on clay deposits in this region, causes decreases in tree and deadwood abundance. Old-growth black spruce forests, therefore, lack the large trees and snags that are characteristic of other old-growth forests. Small-scale disturbances such as spruce budworm and windthrow are common, creating numerous gaps. Landscape and stand level management strategies could minimize structural changes caused by harvesting, but unmanaged forest in all stages of development must be preserved in order to conserve all the attributes of old-growth black spruce forest. Key words: boreal forest, old growth, paludification, Picea mariana, structural development, succession.

scholarly journals Driving factors of conifer regeneration dynamics in eastern Canadian boreal old-growth forests

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxence Martin ◽  
Miguel Montoro Girona ◽  
Hubert Morin
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Regeneration Dynamics ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Old Growth Forests

AbstractOld-growth forests play a major role in conserving biodiversity, protecting water resources, sequestrating carbon, and these forests are indispensable resources for indigenous societies. To preserve the ecosystem services provided by these boreal ecosystems, it becomes necessary to develop novel silvicultural practices capable of emulating the natural dynamics and structural attributes of old-growth forests. The success of these forest management strategies depends on developing an accurate understanding of natural regeneration dynamics. Our goal was therefore to identify the main patterns and the drivers involved in the regeneration dynamics of old-growth forests, placing our focus on boreal stands dominated by black spruce (Picea mariana (L.) Mill.) and balsam fir (Balsam fir (L.) Mill.) in eastern Canada. We sampled 71 stands in a 2200 km2 study area located within Quebec’s boreal region. For each stand, we noted tree regeneration (seedlings and saplings), structural attributes (diameter distribution, deadwood volume, etc.), and abiotic (topography and soil) factors. We observed that secondary disturbance regimes and topographic constraints were the main drivers of balsam fir and black spruce regeneration. Furthermore, the regeneration dynamics of black spruce appeared more complex than those of balsam fir. We observed distinct phases of seedling production first developing within the understory, then seedling growth when gaps opened in the canopy, followed by progressive canopy closure. Seedling density, rather than the sapling density, had a major role in explaining the ability of black spruce to fill the canopy following a secondary disturbance. The density of balsam fir seedlings and saplings was also linked to the abundance of balsam fir trees at the stand level. This research helps explain the complexity of old-growth forest dynamics where many ecological factors interact at multiple temporal and spatial scales. This study also improves our understanding of ecological processes within native old-growth forests and identifies the key factors to consider when ensuring the sustainable management of old-growth boreal stands.

Recent dynamics of jack pine at its northern distribution limit in northern Quebec

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1157-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireille Desponts ◽  
Serge Payette
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Average Life Span ◽  
Fire Scar ◽  
Postfire Regeneration

The northernmost jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) populations in northern Quebec are located at the boreal forest–forest tundra boundary, along the Grande rivière de la Baleine, where they colonize the sandy terraces affected by recurrent fires. The recent fire history in the study area, as deduced from fire scar and age structure data, spans a 216-year period from 1773 to 1988. Forest fires occurred on the sites at intervals averaging 40 to 80 years. The analysis of 19 coniferous stands (jack pine and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Bsp)) indicated that forest communities younger than 67 years old were open jack pine – Cladina mitis or jack pine – black spruce – C. mitis woodlands, while the oldest stands, more than 132 years old, were dominated by jack pine, black spruce, and Cladina stellaris. Stands less than 67-years-old had an age structure almost normally distributed and regeneration often occurred within less than 30 years after fire in both species, while most stands older than 132 years had a multiaged structure. In sites with a prolonged fire-free interval, jack pine was overgrown by black spruce. Spruce woodlands have developed on sites where the organic layer was relatively thick and continuous and they are the end result of the postfire successional process. However, at several sites both conifer species showed an ability to regenerate in prolonged absence of fire disturbance, particularly in open sites with exposed mineral substrates. At the regional scale, fire frequency during the last 200 years has been high enough to prevent pine exclusion at its range limit. The key requirement for the long-term maintenance of jack pine populations is that fires return at intervals shorter than the average life-span of individual trees. It is concluded that the northernmost jack pine populations are able to maintain and regenerate under present fire conditions. Key words: fire, subarctic, jack pine, postfire regeneration, boreal forest.

The effects of surficial deposit - drainage combinations on spatial variations of fire cycles in the boreal forest of eastern Canada

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Mansuy ◽  
Sylvie Gauthier ◽  
André Robitaille ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Aridity Index ◽  
Spatial Variations ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Forest Protection ◽  
Fire Cycle ◽  
Surficial Deposit ◽  
Landscape Units

Spatial variations in the fire cycle of a large territory (190 000 km2) located in the boreal forest of eastern Canada were assessed using random sampling points. Our main objective was to determine if regions characterised by a large proportion of dry surficial deposit–drainage (SDD) burn more frequently than regions with a smaller proportion. Through a regionalisation of the landscape units, we analysed the effects of SDD on spatial variations of the fire cycle. A discriminant analysis involving the SDD and other physical variables (precipitation, temperature, aridity index, water bodies, elevation and slope) made it possible to identify a combination of variables characterising each region. A considerable variation in fire cycle was observed among the different SDD types (from 144 to 425 years) and between regions (from 90 to 715 years). Through the discriminant analysis, this study suggests that a combination of possible climatic top-down (precipitation R2 = 0.727, aridity index R2 = 0.663 and temperature R2 = 0.574) and bottom-up factors (xeric undifferentiated till R2 = 0.819 and humid undifferentiated till R2 = 0.691) could explain this variation at the regional scale. Implications of those results for forest protection against fire and regional development are briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Anurans in a Subarctic Tundra Landscape Near Cape Churchill, Manitoba

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Reiter ◽  
Clint W. Boal ◽  
David E. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Landscape Types ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Monitoring Protocols

Distribution, abundance, and habitat relationships of anurans inhabiting subarctic regions are poorly understood, and anuran monitoring protocols developed for temperate regions may not be applicable across large roadless areas of northern landscapes. In addition, arctic and subarctic regions of North America are predicted to experience changes in climate and, in some areas, are experiencing habitat alteration due to high rates of herbivory by breeding and migrating waterfowl. To better understand subarctic anuran abundance, distribution, and habitat associations, we conducted anuran calling surveys in the Cape Churchill region of Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada, in 2004 and 2005. We conducted surveys along ~1-km transects distributed across three landscape types (coastal tundra, interior sedge meadow–tundra, and boreal forest–tundra interface) to estimate densities and probabilities of detection of Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata) and Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). We detected a Wood Frog or Boreal Chorus Frog on 22 (87%) of 26 transects surveyed, but probability of detection varied between years and species and among landscape types. Estimated densities of both species increased from the coastal zone inland toward the boreal forest edge. Our results suggest anurans occur across all three landscape types in our study area, but that species-specific spatial patterns exist in their abundances. Considerations for both spatial and temporal variation in abundance and detection probability need to be incorporated into surveys and monitoring programs for subarctic anurans.

Modeling Site Amplification in Eastern Canada on a Regional Scale

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 1008-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Braganza ◽  
Gail M. Atkinson ◽  
Hadi Ghofrani ◽  
Behzad Hassani ◽  
Luc Chouinard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Site Amplification ◽  
Eastern Canada

scholarly journals Standing deadwood for keystone bird species in the eastern boreal forest: Managing for snag dynamics

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Drapeau ◽  
Antoine Nappi ◽  
Louis Imbeau ◽  
Michel Saint-Germain
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Tree Retention ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Managed Landscapes

Extensive even-aged management of the boreal forest and its consequences on the loss of late-seral stages (>100 years) is raising concerns about the future of organisms associated with standing deadwood. The considerable reduction of deadwood not only at the stand but at the landscape level is considered to be one of the principal causes of biodiversity loss in managed forest ecosystems worldwide. Ecosystem-oriented management approaches propose a fundamental change in forestry practices whereby live and dead tree retention becomes an important consideration in forest harvesting. We use woodpecker assemblages and their association with standing deadwood for both nesting and foraging to emphasize the importance of the entire range of snag degradation stages for maintenance of key ecological processes in habitat remnants of managed landscapes. We argue that bridging foraging and nesting knowledge of woodpecker’s snag requirements can refine conservation objectives for deadwood retention in the boreal forest. Key words: deadwood, woodpeckers, hole-nesting community, late-seral forests, keystone species, foraging and nesting tree requirements, food webs, nest webs, snag management

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