An assessment of the availability of cavities for secondary cavity-nesting birds in certified and conventionally-logged Neotropical rainforests

Abstract

Biogeosciences and Forestry Biogeosciences and Forestry An assessment of the availability of cavities for secondary cavitynesting birds in certified and conventionally-logged Neotropical rainforests Alejandro A Schaaf (1) , Ever Tallei (1-2) , Román A Ruggera (1-2) , Constanza G Vivanco (1-2) , Luis Rivera (1-2) , Natalia Politi (1-2) The high level of forest intervention and the decrease in biodiversity as a result of logging are incentives to implement forest certification schemes. Despite the advances in the results of the impact of forest certification on biodiversity, there are few studies on species with specific habits, such as cavitynesting birds. The objective of this study is to compare the impact of forest certification and conventional logging on the richness, availability (density) and dominance of potentially suitable cavity trees for secondary cavity-nesting birds in the subtropical forests of northwestern Argentina. Seven sites were selected: three control sites which were not logged for at least 40 years, one site under Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, and three sites with conventional logging. The results suggest that logged forests under FSC-certification may guarantee a diversity, availability (density) and dominance of potentially suitable cavity trees for secondary cavity-nesting birds, as well as certain characteristics (such as DBH > 40 cm), similar to unlogged forests for this group of birds. Therefore, we suggest that the forests of northwestern Argentina should be managed by a scheme under forest certification so that the high levels of cavity tree species are maintained.

Influence of Forest Management and Sylvicultural Treatments on Abundance of Snags and Tree Cavities in Mountain Mixed Beech Forests

“…Instead, no difference was found regarding the average height of TC from the ground. Comparing the average number of TC with previous similar studies performed in other parts of the world, it is possible to notice that in the Hyrcanian forest the TC number was substantially higher in unharvested stands (about 75 stems ha −1 vs. about 15 stems ha −1 ) when compared with harvested forests (around 5 stems ha −1 ) [30]. Remm et al (2006) assessed abundance, characteristics, and affective factors on occurrence of tree cavities, and the role of woodpeckers as keystone species in riverine aspen and birch stands in central Estonia [25].…”

“…An important aspect to be highlighted is the fact that snags with a very high dbh (>75 cm) were mostly found only in the unharvested stands. This is particularly relevant, considering that larger snags have higher ecological value, being able to create micro-habitats and shelter for a higher number of animal species [30][31][32].…”

Effectiveness and Economic Viability of Forest Certification: A Systematic Review

“…In Argentina, logged forests under FSC-certification had a similar diversity, density and dominance of potentially suitable cavity trees for secondary cavity-nesting birds similar to unlogged forests for this group of birds [55]. Another study found jaguars and reasonable assemblages of their prey across twelve sites across Latin America, thus illustrating that selective logging in association with FSC and PEFC can maintain jaguars in managed forests [56].…”