AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Forest Bird Response to Regeneration Practices in Central Hardwood Forests

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1997
Authors:Annand, EM, Thompson, III, FR
Journal:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:61
Issue:1
Date Published:1997
ISBN Number:0022541X
Keywords:Cardinalidae, Corvidae, Corvus, Corvus brachyrhynchos, Corvus corone, Cyanocitta, Cyanocitta cristata, Dendroica, Dendroica discolor, Emberiza, Emberiza godlewskii, Emberizidae, Empidonax, Empidonax virescens, Garrulus, Garrulus glandarius, Hylocichla, Hylocichla mustelina, Icteria, Icteria virens, Icteridae, Incertae Sedis, Molothrus, Molothrus ater, Parula, Parula americana, Parulidae, Passerina, Passerina cyanea, Pipilo, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, Seiurus, Seiurus aurocapilla, Seiurus aurocapillus, Setophaga, Setophaga americana, Setophaga citrina, Setophaga discolor, Spizella, Spizella pusilla, Turdidae, Tyrannidae, Vermivora, Vermivora cyanoptera, Vermivora pinus, Vireo, Vireo griseus, Vireo olivaceus, Vireonidae, Wilsonia, Wilsonia citrina
Abstract:We studied breeding songbird populations in a managed, predominantly forested landscape, in southeastern Missouri. We determined differences in the relative abundance of breeding birds in forest stands that had been harvested by the clearcut (n = 12), shelterwood (n = 12), group selection (n = 12), and single-tree selection (n = 10) forest regeneration methods, and mature even-aged stands (n = 12). Five migrant songbirds, the blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus), prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus), and yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), were more abundant in clearcut treatments than other treatments (P < 0.001). Indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea) and field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) were more abundant in clearcut and shelterwood treatments than other treatments (P < 0.001). Hooded warblers (Wilsonia citrina) and northern parulas (Parula americana) were more abundant in the selection treatments than other treatments (P < 0.001). Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) and wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) were most abundant in mature sites (P < 0.001). Acadian flycatchers (Empidonax virescens) and red-eyed vireos (Vireo olivaceus) were more abundant in group and single-tree selection treatments and mature stands than in clearcut or shelterwood treatments (P < 0.02). Numbers of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) were greater in clearcut treatments than in other treatments (P < 0.001). The abundances of 2 avian nest predators, the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), and the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynches), were not significantly greater in any of the 5 treatments (P > 0.30). Nest success of species nesting in clearcut and shelterwood treatments was 18-50%. The percent of the site in gaps, shrub stem density, and tree-diameter distribution differed among forest regeneration methods (P < 0.001). We believe habitat requirements of birds in managed forests can be best met by a mixture of even- and uneven-aged forest management that creates a range of disturbance sizes.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3802425
Short Title:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith