What are the What are the components of high components of high

quality early seral quality early seral forests?forests?

Cheryl Friesen, Science Liaison, Willamette Cheryl Friesen, Science Liaison, Willamette NF (presenter) NF (presenter)

and and Brenda McComb, Professor, Univ of Mass.Brenda McComb, Professor, Univ of Mass.

The world view of forestry…The world view of forestry…

Notice the naked area in the lower Notice the naked area in the lower left?left?

I would submit that the emperor I would submit that the emperor has no clothes!has no clothes!

The “Emperor Has The “Emperor Has No Clothes Award” No Clothes Award” …presented to you …presented to you and me for our lack and me for our lack of recognition of a of recognition of a biodiversity rich biodiversity rich natural habitat natural habitat type…type…

What is the best dressed early What is the best dressed early seral forest wearing these days?seral forest wearing these days?

(to stretch the metaphor)(to stretch the metaphor) SnagsSnags Large treesLarge trees ShrubsShrubs Down logsDown logs Tree SeedlingsTree Seedlings HardwoodsHardwoods Grasses and forbsGrasses and forbs

Side-bar: WHAT DID I GOOGLE TO FIND Side-bar: WHAT DID I GOOGLE TO FIND PHOTOS OF COMPONENTS OF HIGH PHOTOS OF COMPONENTS OF HIGH

QUALITY EARLY SERAL FORESTQUALITY EARLY SERAL FOREST??

OLD GROWTH FORESTS….OLD GROWTH FORESTS….

MORAL OF THE STORY…MORAL OF THE STORY…

LegacyLegacyLegacyLegacyLegacyLegacy

Managing for complexity in early Managing for complexity in early successional forests is likely to be most successional forests is likely to be most successful if the preceding seral stage is successful if the preceding seral stage is also complex prior to a disturbance.also complex prior to a disturbance.

Managing for complexity through a rotation Managing for complexity through a rotation or sere helps to ensure the continuity in or sere helps to ensure the continuity in habitat elements over time.habitat elements over time.

This habitat is more popular than This habitat is more popular than you might have thought….you might have thought….

Analysis of wildlife on the Willamette Analysis of wildlife on the Willamette National Forest foundNational Forest found– 14 species tied specifically to old growth14 species tied specifically to old growth– 0 species tied specifically to mid seral0 species tied specifically to mid seral– 116 species generalists….use all stages116 species generalists….use all stages

– 71 species tied specifically to early seral71 species tied specifically to early seral

and edges, but….and edges, but….

All of the early seral or All of the early seral or generalist generalist species require one or species require one or more of the more of the structural components structural components listed listed previously…previously…

For example, For example, 85% need dead wood at some life stage85% need dead wood at some life stage

Standard adornments that come Standard adornments that come quickly to mind…quickly to mind…

Deer and elkDeer and elk Red-tailed hawksRed-tailed hawks Mountain bluebirdsMountain bluebirds

But there’s more!But there’s more!

Early seral forest = Early seral forest = Truly a rich communityTruly a rich community

ReptilesReptiles

Western skinkWestern skink Western fence lizardWestern fence lizard Gopher snakeGopher snake Garter snakeGarter snake RacerRacer

BirdsBirds

MerlinMerlin Dusky flycatcherDusky flycatcher Brewer’s sparrowBrewer’s sparrow Willow flycatcherWillow flycatcher Mountain quailMountain quail Great Gray OwlGreat Gray Owl

White-crowned White-crowned sparrowsparrow

WrentitWrentit Calliope hummingbirdCalliope hummingbird MacGillivray’s warblerMacGillivray’s warbler

MammalsMammals

California myotisCalifornia myotis Pocket gopherPocket gopher California ground California ground

squirrelsquirrel Townsend’s voleTownsend’s vole Big Brown BatBig Brown Bat BadgerBadger

Elaboration to follow….Elaboration to follow….

Is it more complicated than we’ve Is it more complicated than we’ve given it credit for?given it credit for?

Can it be “human made?”Can it be “human made?” Can we “allow it” naturally?Can we “allow it” naturally? Is there a proxy?Is there a proxy?

– Food for thought….Food for thought….