Post on 19-Dec-2015
• How are cavity-nesting bird (CNB) populations impacted by fire and the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003? Which is more beneficial?
Methods
• Reviewed literature and clumped papers into three groups.– Ecological Needs of CNBs – Fire = effects on forest– HFI = effects on forest
Results—Ecological Needs
• Nest sites– Need dead or dying trees (excavators)– Trees with holes existing holes (non-excavators)
Results—Ecological Needs
• Forest Composition– Age of trees
• Old trees = natural decay; soft to excavate holes
– Cover• Moderate cover is ideal
Results—Fire
• Rx is good when done under the right conditions
• Catastrophic wildfire negative impacts for CNB
Results—HFI
• Thin Forests through cutting and burning– Remove ladder fuels and open up canopy
• Prevention and Response to disease and insect infestations
• Remove chance of catastrophic fire.
• If the forests are left as they currently are…will have catastrophic fire…populations decrease.– Too much fuel, insect infestations, disease
• CNB Effect– No Nest sites– Open canopy– Potentially no food– Will they make it out??
• If comply with HFI…– Chance of catastrophic fire
reduced– Canopies opened• Too much canopy-- opened detrimental
– High fuel loads removed• Snags removed
– Populations potentially increase
• Compliance with HFI will benefit CNB populations.
• Current conditions of forests will be detrimental to CNB if/when catastrophic fire burns through the forest.
• Must understand the needs and responses to habitat alteration for species you are managing.
• Thanks to Dr. Mannan for suggesting journal articles.