Combined long-term effects of variable tree regeneration and timber management on forest songbirds and timber production

Millington, James D.A.; Walters, Michael B.; Matonis, Megan S.; Laurent, Edward J.; Hall, Kimberly R.; Liu, Jianguo

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.05.002

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…We chose these variables because they are generally descriptive of forest composition and structure across different forest types and ages (sensu Beaudoin et al, 2014). The same or similar variables have been shown to be significant in many previous models of forest songbird point count data (e.g., Boves et al, 2013;Mahon et al, 2016;Millington et al, 2011;Vernier et al, 2008). We distinguished Pinus from other conifer genera because its self-pruning habit creates a structural morphology different from that of other important boreal conifer species, and because of its general association with well-drained sites with shallow organic layers and sparse understorey vegetation (Hardin, Leopold, & White, 2001).…”

Section: Bird Species and Forest Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential habitat selection in boreal songbirds influences estimates of population size and distribution

Crosby

Bayne

Cumming

et al. 2019

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Most large‐scale species distribution models assume spatially constant habitat selection throughout a species' geographic range. However, there is evidence this assumption may not be valid for a number of boreal bird species, which could lead to biased predictions of density and distribution in range‐wide models. Our goal was to test for and quantify differential habitat selection (DHS) in songbirds among regions of the Canadian boreal forest. Location Northern Alberta, western Ontario and southern Quebec, Canada. Methods We used hierarchical analysis of covariance models with region‐specific parameter estimates to test for differential selection of forest attributes among three regions for six boreal bird species. We used the results of these models to quantify intraspecific niche overlap between regions and compared posterior predictive accuracy to models that did not account for DHS. Results We found a generally large standardized effect size (median effect size = 1.674) of region on selection of specific habitat variables for all six species, although there was high variability among species, variables and regional comparisons. The proportion of niche overlap between regions was generally low (mean overlap = 0.309 for all pairwise comparisons), with no spatial pattern to the overlap. Models accounting for DHS had significantly higher posterior predictive accuracy according to the Watanabe–Akaike information criterion. Main Conclusions We found strong evidence for DHS among regions for six boreal songbird species in individual habitat attributes and overall niche space. The higher predictive accuracy of our DHS models suggests that failure to account for spatial variability in habitat selection can lead to biased estimates of density and spatial distribution. Models that did not account for DHS overestimated density relative to DHS models. We conclude that large‐scale species distribution models should account for regional variation in habitat selection in order to obtain accurate estimates of population size and distribution.

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Section: Bird Species and Forest Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential habitat selection in boreal songbirds influences estimates of population size and distribution

Crosby

Bayne

Cumming

et al. 2019

Diversity and Distributions

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show abstract

“…Changes to forest structure may influence the ability of bird populations to persist (Urban & Smith, 1989;Holmes & Sherry, 2001;Millington et al, 2011). In particular, birds are sensitive to disturbances, which modify canopy height and density (Marshall & Cooper, 2004), understorey structure and composition (Heyman, 2010) and amount of forest cover in the surrounding landscape (Costello et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequences of browsing for forest birds include reduced prey availability (Bailey & Whitman, 2003), decreased reproductive success (Pedersen et al, 2007), decreased body condition (Holt et al, 2013) and increased direct competition for resources (Leathwick et al, 1983). Ultimately, altered forest regeneration following grazing or browsing may lead to reduced occupancy by some species due to habitat degradation (Millington et al, 2011). At the community level, high ungulate browsing pressure has been associated with greater regional avian species diversity because of increased habitat heterogeneity (Ogada et al, 2008) or enhanced food resources linked to biogeochemical alterations that heighten plant productivity (Feeley & Terborgh, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale impacts of forest degradation through browsing by hyperabundant moose (Alces alces) on songbird assemblages

Rae

Whitaker

Warkentin

2013

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Songbirds are sensitive to changes in forest structure and composition at various spatial scales, particularly during the breeding season. Habitat degradation associated with herbivore browsing may contribute to declines in songbird populations. Here, we evaluate songbird responses to herbivore-induced habitat change at multiple spatial scales.Location In Gros Morne National Park (GMNP), Newfoundland, Canada, browsing by hyperabundant moose (Alces alces) has changed forest structure by reducing understorey cover and converting regenerating stands to open areas dominated by grasses and shrubs.Methods We conducted point count surveys to measure bird occurrence throughout GMNP during the 2010 breeding season. Using vegetation information from ground plots and remote sensing, we characterized habitat at three scales: local, neighbourhood and landscape. Following a two-step procedure to model species occurrence with habitat, the most important habitat factors within each scale were retained for cross-scale modelling.Results Cross-scale models revealed patterns in the association of songbird habitat assemblages with moose-altered habitats. Early successional species such as mourning warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) were positively associated with moose-browsed habitat at the landscape scale. Forest interior specialist (e.g. black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens) and generalist species (e.g. boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonicus) were negatively associated with moosebrowsed habitat at the neighbourhood scale. Local songbird species richness was independent of moose-browsed habitat at any scale.Main conclusions The influence of intense browsing on forest songbirds varies by species but has the potential to extend beyond the area of immediate impact. Continued intense browsing and resulting forest alteration could cause declines in forest specialists and generalists, but may increase populations of early successional species. To maintain bird assemblages characteristic of the region, we recommend management actions that lower moose density in areas with hyperabundant populations such as GMNP to maintain forest structure and regeneration comparable to that present prior to the introduction of moose.

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“…), and avian breeding assemblages may show marked changes in response to vegetation succession (Fuller & Henderson , Fuller & Green ) or environmental modification (Martin & McIntyre , Millington et al . ), including the effects of abundant ungulate herbivores (Holt et al . , Martin et al .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The regeneration phase is particularly important for migrant species in Europe and North America, as many use structurally complex understorey vegetation associated with early re-growth or tree-fall gaps (Helle & Fuller 1988, Marshall et al 2003, Vitz & Rodewald 2006. Moreover, during the breeding season the structural diversity of woodland tends to be positively associated with bird diversity (Fuller & Henderson 1992, Fuller & Green 1998, Gil-Tena et al 2007, and avian breeding assemblages may show marked changes in response to vegetation succession (Fuller & Henderson 1992, Fuller & Green 1998 or environmental modification (Martin & McIntyre 2007, Millington et al 2011, including the effects of abundant ungulate herbivores (Holt et al 2011, Martin et al 2011.…”

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confidence: 99%

Exclusion of deer affects responses of birds to woodland regeneration in winter and summer

Holt

Fuller

Dolman

2013

Ibis

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Using an exclosure experiment in managed woodland in eastern England, we examined species and guild responses to vegetation growth and its modification by deer herbivory, contrasting winter and the breeding season over 4 years. Species and guild responses, in terms of seasonal presence recorded by multiple point counts, were examined using generalized linear mixed models. Several guilds or migrant species responded positively to deer exclusion and none responded negatively. The shrub-layer foraging guild was recorded less frequently in older and browsed vegetation, in both winter and spring. Exclusion of deer also increased the occurrence of ground-foraging species in both seasons, although these species showed no strong response to vegetation age. The canopy-foraging guild was unaffected by deer exclusion or vegetation age in either season. There was seasonal variation in the responses of some individual resident species, including a significantly lower occurrence of Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes and European Robin Erithacus rubecula in browsed vegetation in winter, but no effect of browsing on those species in spring. Ordinations of bird assemblage compositions also revealed seasonal differences in response to gradients of vegetation structure generated by canopy-closure and exclusion of deer. Positive impacts of deer exclusion in winter are probably linked to reduced thermal cover and predator protection afforded by browsed vegetation, whereas species that responded positively in spring were also dependent on a dense understorey for nesting. The effects on birds of vegetation development and its modification by herbivores extend beyond breeding assemblages, with different mechanisms implicated and different species affected in winter

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Combined long-term effects of variable tree regeneration and timber management on forest songbirds and timber production

Cited by 18 publications

References 50 publications

Differential habitat selection in boreal songbirds influences estimates of population size and distribution

Differential habitat selection in boreal songbirds influences estimates of population size and distribution

Multiscale impacts of forest degradation through browsing by hyperabundant moose (Alces alces) on songbird assemblages

Exclusion of deer affects responses of birds to woodland regeneration in winter and summer

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