Effects of Selected Forest Management Practices on Forest Birds in Missouri Oak-Hickory Forests.
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Effects of Effects of Selected Forest Selected Forest Management Management Practices on Practices on Forest Birds in Forest Birds in Missouri Oak- Missouri Oak- Hickory Forests Hickory Forests
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Transcript of Effects of Selected Forest Management Practices on Forest Birds in Missouri Oak-Hickory Forests.
Effects of Selected Effects of Selected Forest Forest
Management Management Practices on Forest Practices on Forest Birds in Missouri Birds in Missouri
Oak-Hickory Oak-Hickory ForestsForests
Principal InvestigatorsPrincipal Investigators
Rick Clawson, Missouri Department Rick Clawson, Missouri Department of Conservationof Conservation
Dr. John Faaborg, University of Dr. John Faaborg, University of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouri-Columbia
Dr. Paul Porneluzi, Central Dr. Paul Porneluzi, Central Methodist UniversityMethodist University
CollaboratorsCollaborators
Wendy Gram, Sam Noble Oklahoma Wendy Gram, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum of Natural History
Mike Wallendorf, Missouri Mike Wallendorf, Missouri Department of ConservationDepartment of Conservation
Elena Seon, Missouri Department of Elena Seon, Missouri Department of Conservation (former employee)Conservation (former employee)
BackgroundBackground Studies had shown that avian species Studies had shown that avian species
diversity and reproductive success were diversity and reproductive success were lower on forest fragmentslower on forest fragments
Nest predation by mammalian and avian Nest predation by mammalian and avian predators and parasitism by Brown-headed predators and parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds were the principal mechanismsCowbirds were the principal mechanisms
Some people believed that similar Some people believed that similar phenomena would occur in a phenomena would occur in a predominantly forested landscape with predominantly forested landscape with small openingssmall openings
An experimental approach was neededAn experimental approach was needed
ObjectivesObjectives
To determine differences in breeding To determine differences in breeding densities of selected a) mature forest and densities of selected a) mature forest and b) early-successional forest songbirds in b) early-successional forest songbirds in forest managed by EAM, UAM, and no-forest managed by EAM, UAM, and no-harvest methodsharvest methods
To determine rates of nest parasitism, To determine rates of nest parasitism, nest predation, and reproductive success nest predation, and reproductive success for these songbirdsfor these songbirds
To provide educational training in field To provide educational training in field biology to undergraduate student internsbiology to undergraduate student interns
5 Focal Mature Forest 5 Focal Mature Forest SpeciesSpecies
Acadian Acadian FlycatcherFlycatcher
OvenbirdOvenbird Worm-eating Worm-eating
WarblerWarbler Kentucky Kentucky
WarblerWarbler Wood ThrushWood Thrush
6 Focal Early 6 Focal Early Successional Spp.Successional Spp.
Indigo BuntingIndigo Bunting Yellow-breasted Yellow-breasted
ChatChat Hooded WarblerHooded Warbler Prairie WarblerPrairie Warbler Blue-winged Blue-winged
WarblerWarbler White-eyed VireoWhite-eyed Vireo
Bird Study – Data Bird Study – Data CollectionCollection
Spot MappingSpot Mapping Species’ densities determined using spot-Species’ densities determined using spot-
mappingmapping Each site divided into 7 spot mapping Each site divided into 7 spot mapping
plotsplots Each spot mapping plot surveyed 10 timesEach spot mapping plot surveyed 10 times Territories identified from compilation Territories identified from compilation
maps for each species, each yearmaps for each species, each year Density determined by dividing number of Density determined by dividing number of
territories by study site areaterritories by study site area
Reproductive data collected by Reproductive data collected by locating and monitoring nestslocating and monitoring nests
Most nests were on the ground, in Most nests were on the ground, in shrubs, or in the subcanopyshrubs, or in the subcanopy
Nests monitored every 3 – 5 daysNests monitored every 3 – 5 days Predation and parasitism events Predation and parasitism events
notednoted
Bird Study – Data Bird Study – Data Collection (cont.)Collection (cont.)Nest MonitoringNest Monitoring
Bird Study – Data Bird Study – Data Collection (cont.) Mist Collection (cont.) Mist
NettingNetting 13 mist net lies per study area13 mist net lies per study area 12 mist nets per line, set 50 meters apart12 mist nets per line, set 50 meters apart Each mist net line run for two morningsEach mist net line run for two mornings All captured birds identified, sexed & All captured birds identified, sexed &
aged, banded, and releasedaged, banded, and released Prior to first treatment, mist net lines Prior to first treatment, mist net lines
spaced out along east-west grid linesspaced out along east-west grid lines After treatment, net lines on EAM sites After treatment, net lines on EAM sites
set in clear cutsset in clear cuts
Results – Spot MappingResults – Spot Mapping
53 different species recorded53 different species recorded Most species present during both pre-Most species present during both pre-
treatment and post-treatment yearstreatment and post-treatment years Following treatment, all 5 focal Following treatment, all 5 focal
mature forest species declinedmature forest species declined Early successional species densities Early successional species densities
increased dramatically after tree increased dramatically after tree harvestharvest
Responses were species specificResponses were species specific
Worm-eating Warbler
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
After initial decline, returning to near pre-treatment levels
Acadian Flycatcher
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
10
20
30
40
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Climbing, but not yet back to pre-treatment levels
Ovenbird
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
10
20
30
40
50
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Negatively affected by EAM
Wood Thrush
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Has returned to pre-treatment level on EAM sites, but abandoning no-harvest sites?
Kentucky Warbler
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Although low numbers, positive response to EAM & UAM
Yellow-breasted Chat
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Appears to prefer the larger openings of EAM sites
Prairie Warbler
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
2
4
6
8
10
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Appears to prefer larger openings of EAM sites
Indigo Bunting
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
10
20
30
40
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Accepts all sizes of canopy gaps
Hooded Warbler
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Accepts all sizes of harvest openings
White-eyed Vireo
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Blue-winged Warbler
Year
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Den
sity
(#/
100
ha)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Untreated Uneven-aged Even-aged
Found in low numbers – responded to both harvest types
Results - NestingResults - Nesting Found over 1,500 nests from 29 speciesFound over 1,500 nests from 29 species Found nests for 6 of the focal species, Found nests for 6 of the focal species,
before and after treatmentbefore and after treatment Daily mortality rates did not change Daily mortality rates did not change
significantly from pre- to post-treatmentsignificantly from pre- to post-treatment Mayfield nesting success averaged 29% Mayfield nesting success averaged 29%
for these 6 spp.for these 6 spp. Brood parasitism rates were low, Brood parasitism rates were low,
averaging 3.2% in both pre- and post-averaging 3.2% in both pre- and post-treatmenttreatment
Nest failure generally attributed to Nest failure generally attributed to predationpredation
Results - Mist NettingResults - Mist Netting
Prior to treatments, capture rates were Prior to treatments, capture rates were low on all siteslow on all sites
Recapture rates were low (< 10%)Recapture rates were low (< 10%) Nets placed at the edges of clear cuts Nets placed at the edges of clear cuts
and on paths in the interior of clear cuts and on paths in the interior of clear cuts had dramatically higher capture rateshad dramatically higher capture rates
Within clear cuts, both early Within clear cuts, both early successional and mature forest birds successional and mature forest birds were capturedwere captured
ImplicationsImplications In general, forest management treatments In general, forest management treatments
affected bird species as expectedaffected bird species as expected Mature forest species declined on all sitesMature forest species declined on all sites Birds had species-specific responses to even-Birds had species-specific responses to even-
aged and uneven-aged forest managementaged and uneven-aged forest management Although early successional species Although early successional species
increased, some used larger openings and increased, some used larger openings and some used both small and larger openingssome used both small and larger openings
Recommend a blend of harvest types to Recommend a blend of harvest types to maintain diversity of forest avifaunamaintain diversity of forest avifauna
Our results agree with current theory about Our results agree with current theory about landscape-level forest cover – the timber-landscape-level forest cover – the timber-management treatments did not increase management treatments did not increase cowbird parasitism or nest predationcowbird parasitism or nest predation
Additional FindingsAdditional Findings
During the fledging period, even mature During the fledging period, even mature forest species moved into the dense forest species moved into the dense vegetation of clear cuts, presumably for vegetation of clear cuts, presumably for foraging and coverforaging and cover
Densities of early successional species Densities of early successional species were higher in larger clear cuts than in were higher in larger clear cuts than in smaller onessmaller ones
Densities of early successional species Densities of early successional species apparently reached plateaus in 2000 or apparently reached plateaus in 2000 or 2001 and are now declining2001 and are now declining
Progression of StudyProgression of Study 1991-1996 & 1997-2000 – original 1991-1996 & 1997-2000 – original
protocolprotocol ~ 27 student interns~ 27 student interns All 7 spot map plotsAll 7 spot map plots
2001-2003 – modified protocol2001-2003 – modified protocol ~ 16 student interns~ 16 student interns 4 of the 7 spot map plots4 of the 7 spot map plots
20042004 5 student interns5 student interns Point counts rather than spot mappingPoint counts rather than spot mapping
2005-20072005-2007 REU grant & return to modified protocol REU grant & return to modified protocol
(?)(?)
EAM sites – 1991-2002/4 of 7 plots
YBCH
0.002.004.006.008.00
10.0012.0014.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
YBCH
PRAW
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
PRAW
INBU
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
INBU
HOWA
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
HOWA
UAM sites – 1991-2002/4 of 7 plotsYBCH
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
YBCH
INBU
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
INBU
HOWA
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
HOWA
ChallengesChallenges
Recruitment of interns was more Recruitment of interns was more difficult as time progresseddifficult as time progressed
Downed material and explosive Downed material and explosive growth in the clear cuts made the growth in the clear cuts made the interior impenetrable until “bird interior impenetrable until “bird paths” were cutpaths” were cut
We are trying to find funding to We are trying to find funding to continue monitoring avifauna changes continue monitoring avifauna changes between treatment applicationsbetween treatment applications
Future Avian StudyFuture Avian Study
Continue to monitor avian population Continue to monitor avian population dynamics between treatmentsdynamics between treatments
Analyses of avian response to clear cuts Analyses of avian response to clear cuts and the zone immediately surrounding the and the zone immediately surrounding the cutscuts
Analyses of avian response to TSIAnalyses of avian response to TSI Correlation of bird densities with insect Correlation of bird densities with insect
datadata
