Characteristics of Northern Hardwood Trees Used by Cavity-Nesting Birds

Runde, Douglas E.; Capen, David E.

doi:10.2307/3801659

Cited by 36 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Although we found no nests in Slippery Elms, there were more dead Slip- The propensity for Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers to nest in aspens has been well documented (Kilham 1971;Thomas et al 1979;Runde and Capen 1987;Harestad and Keisker 1989). Aspens may be more prone to decay than most other hardwoods.…”

Section: Tree Speciesmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…In accordance with the minimum nest height and tree diameter used by woodpeckers, potential nest trees were >15.2 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) and >1.8 m tall (Thomas et al 1979). We modified the study methods after Runde and Capen (1987).…”

Section: Vegetation Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have been done in northern hardwood forests of Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire (Kilham 1971;Swallow et al 1986;Runde and Capen 1987). Other research was conducted in oakhickory forests of southwestern Virginia (Conner 1975;Conner et al 1975Conner et al , 1976Conner and Adkisson 1977).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Woodpecker Nest Tree Characteristics in Upper Midwestern Oak Forests

Giese

Cuthbert

2005

Can Field Nat

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Characteristics of woodpecker nest trees have been widely studied in some regions of North America. However, there is little research from the Upper Midwest. Forest managers need information on woodpecker nest tree characteristics so they can recommend leaving during harvest trees that meet the needs of cavity-dwelling wildlife. Information specific to the Upper Midwest is especially important given that declines in several species of cavity nesting birds have been predicted by an environmental analysis of timber harvest in Minnesota. Our purpose was to identify attributes of nest trees used by primary cavity-nesting birds. We compared nest trees to unused trees and examined differences in nest trees among woodpecker species. We found 166 active woodpecker nests in upper midwestern oak forests in 1997 and 1998. For each nest tree, we recorded height, diameter, status, and aspects of tree decay. We also measured four potential nest trees (non-nest trees, within size requirements of cavity-nesting birds, with at least 2 indicators of heartwood decay) closest to each active nest tree. Additionally, we recorded these measurements for 137 randomly selected potential nest trees. Using paired t-tests and chi-square analysis, we found each woodpecker species had a unique set of characteristics that separated nest trees from potential nest trees. Using an extension of the McNemar test for related samples, we found woodpeckers as a group used trees that were larger, both in diameter and height, more often elm (Ulmus americana, U. rubra) or aspen (Populus tremuloides, P. grandidentata), more likely to have old cavities present, and with more decay indicators than adjacent potential nest trees. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) differed from the other woodpecker species by nesting in living Trembling Aspens (Populus tremuloides) with intact tops, complete bark cover, and heartwood fungus. Diameters of nest trees differed significantly among woodpecker species, but unlike findings from other studies, the height of nest hole and nest tree did not. Woodpecker nest entrances faced south or southeast significantly more often than by chance alone, even when excluding leaning trees. This study suggests that generic forest management for all woodpecker species may not be adequate because individual species have specific nest tree requirements. Management recommendations for cavity-nesting birds need to be tailored to meet the needs of a diversity of species.

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Section: Tree Speciesmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Vegetation Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Woodpecker Nest Tree Characteristics in Upper Midwestern Oak Forests

Giese

Cuthbert

2005

Can Field Nat

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“…Decayed portions of the tree allow for easier cavity excavation for weaker cavity excavators, and the bark cover retains moisture and warmth as well as providing protection from predators (Runde and Capen 1987). Decayed portions of the tree also provide valuable foraging habitat as they often contain high levels of beetle larvae, carpenter ants, and termite activity, all of which act as food resources for woodpeckers (Mannan et al 1980).…”

Section: Tree Attributes and Cavity Abundancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…These changes can lead to greater species richness and diversity in both plant and mammal communities (Davis et al 1999*). Population densities of cavity-nesting species are often limited by potential nest sites (Runde and Capen 1987), and intensive forest management that removes snags reduces their densities in managed stands compared to natural stands (Haapanen 1965;Pojar 1995).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Presence of Cavities in Snags Retained in Forest Cutblocks: Do Management Policies Promote Species Retention?

Everett

Otter

2004

Can Field Nat

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Everett, Kim T., and Ken A. Otter. 2004. Presence of cavities in snags retained in forest cutblocks: do management policies promote species retention? Canadian Field-Naturalist 118(3): 354-359.Tree cavities, which are frequently excavated by primary cavity nesters, are typically used by a number of avian and non-avian species and are thus important components in maintaining biodiversity in forest ecosystems. One way to provide these habitat opportunities in harvested areas is through the retention of snags. In this study, we assessed the habitat and snag characteristics that promote cavity excavation, using the presence of cavities to infer activity of primary cavity excavators. Snags retained closer to the forest/cutblock edge contained a greater density of cavities than trees further from edge. However, the proportion of cavities found within cutblocks declined at a more rapid rate with distance from edge than did those in adjacent forested stands. There was also a tendency for cavities to occur more frequently in trees that were at the advanced stages of decay. The results of our study suggest management for snags in harvest areas should include the retention of snags closer to the forest edge combined with incorporating trees showing signs of advanced decay.

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Terrestrial acidification and ecosystem services: effects of acid rain on bunnies, baseball, and Christmas trees

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Often termed "acid rain," combined nitrogen and sulfur deposition can directly and indirectly impact the condition and health of forest ecosystems. Researchers use critical loads (CLs) to describe response thresholds, and recent studies on acid-sensitive biological indicators show that forests continue to be at risk from terrestrial acidification. However, rarely are impacts translated into changes in "ecosystem services" that impact human well-being. Further, the relevance of this research to the general public is seldom communicated in terms that can motivate action to protect valuable resources. To understand how changes in biological indicators affect human well-being, we used the STEPS (Stressor-Ecological Production function-final ecosystem Services) Framework to quantitatively and qualitatively link CL exceedances to ecosystem service impacts. We specified the cause-and-effect ecological processes linking changes in biological indicators to final ecosystem services. The Final Ecosystem Goods and Services Classification System (FEGS-CS) was used within the STEPS Framework to classify the ecosystem component and the beneficiary class that uses or values the component. We analyzed two acid-sensitive tree species, balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and white ash (Fraxinus americana), that are common in northeastern USA. These well-known species provide habitat for animals and popular forest products that are relatable to a broad audience. We identified 160 chains with 10 classes of human beneficiaries for balsam fir and white ash combined, concluding that there are resources at risk that the public may value. Two stories resulting from these explorations into the cascading effects of acid rain on terrestrial resources are ideal for effective science communication: the relationship between (1) balsam fir as a popular Christmas tree and habitat for the snowshoe hare, a favorite of wildlife viewers, and (2) white ash because it is used for half of all baseball bats, fine wood products, and musical instruments. Thus, rather than focusing on biological indicators that may only be understood or appreciated by specific stakeholders or experts, this approach extends the analysis to include impacts on FEGS and humans. It also lays the foundation for developing stakeholder-specific narratives, quantitative measures of endpoints, and for conducting demand-based valuations of affected ecosystem services.

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Characteristics of Northern Hardwood Trees Used by Cavity-Nesting Birds

Cited by 36 publications

References 10 publications

Woodpecker Nest Tree Characteristics in Upper Midwestern Oak Forests

Woodpecker Nest Tree Characteristics in Upper Midwestern Oak Forests

Presence of Cavities in Snags Retained in Forest Cutblocks: Do Management Policies Promote Species Retention?

Terrestrial acidification and ecosystem services: effects of acid rain on bunnies, baseball, and Christmas trees

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