Clearcutting creates habitat for many species of early successional songbirds; however, little information is available on bird use of small forest openings created by group selection harvests. Group selection harvests are increasing on the White Mountain National Forest due to negative public response to clearcutting. The objective of this study was to determine if avian species richness and composition differ between clearcut and group selection openings, and between mature stands and the uncut portions of group selection stands. Point count surveys were conducted during the 1992 and 1993 breeding seasons within six study blocks in the White Mountain National Forest, NH. Each block consisted of a clearcut stand, a group selection stand and a mature stand. Species richness per stand was signi®cantly higher in clearcut openings (p 0.010) than in group selection openings. Forested areas surrounding group selection openings were similar to mature stands in species richness (p 0.848) and composition. Our data suggest that, relative to avian use, the group selection system does not provide habitat similar to that created by clearcutting in extensive northern hardwood stands. The group selection system appears to retain much of the mature forest bird community while providing for a limited number of early successional bird species. Gradual replacement of clearcutting with group selection harvests could result in reduced avian diversity across large forested tracts. #

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This revision of the 1987 silvicultural guide (Leak et al. 1987) includes updated and expanded silvicultural information on northern hardwoods as well as additional information on wildlife habitat and the management of mixed-wood and northern hardwood-oak stands. The prescription methodology is simpler and more field-oriented. This guide also includes an appendix of familiar tables and charts useful to practicing field foresters. Northern hardwood forest types can be managed as even-or uneven-aged stands using a variety of silvicultural practices. In planning these practices, there are many factors to consider including access, species composition, desired regeneration, wildlife habitat needs and environmental concerns. The aim of this document is to provide guidelines to assist the manager in choosing the right methods to meet the landowner objectives consistent with stand conditions.

Age distributions are given for four species in a virgin spruce—fir stand in New Hampshire together with comparative data from virgin northern hardwoods. Three distinct forms of age distribution were found: (1) essentially linear relationships of numbers of stems (log) vs. age (log) denoting stationary populations with a power function form of survivorship; (2) concave age distributions indicative of increasing populations; and (3) convex to bell—shaped age distributions reflecting declining populations with a low birth date. Picea rubens, Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, and Sorbus americana all exhibited stationary age distributions in the virgin spruce—fir stand. In virgin northern hardwoods, Fagus grandifolia and Acer saccharum appeared to be stationary or increasing, respectively, while P. rubens and Betula alleghaniensis had age distributions typical of declining populations.

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