Responses of cavity-nesting birds to stand-replacement fire and salvage logging in ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests of southwestern Idaho

Abstract

long-term studies on how cavity-nesting birds respond to different fire conditions in ponderosa pine1Douglas-fir forests of western Idaho. The work was started in response to the high-intensity wildfires of 1992 and 1994 on the Boise National Forest. This publication provides information to managers and biologists on the effects of stand-replacement wildfire (a no-action alternative to the Forest Health Initiative [USDA 1994a1) and salvage logging on cavity-nesting birds.Cavity-nesting birds were selected for these studies because many are (1) dependent on fire processes and patterns over large landscapes for their dispersal and movements, (2) designated as sensitive species by Federal or State agencies, and(3) responsive to fire and timber management activities. We know little about the implications of fire suppression, stand-replacement wildfire, or prescribed fire with timber management for sensitive bird species. Thus, we need to gather information on the "forest health" action and no-action alternatives to understand the trade-offs associated with future decisions in green areas for sensitive cavity-nesting birds, and to identify possible conflicts for sensitive species management.The first phase of the project was to evaluate effects of high-intensity, standreplacement wildfire on cavity-nesting birds and their associated habitats. This paper summarized results from 1994 to 1996 and was first distributed as a progresslinterim report in 1997 (Study No. 4202-1-7-7, Progress Report 94-96, April 1997). We encourage managers and biologists to provide comments on this ongoing project.

Birds and burns of the interior West: descriptions, habitats, and management in western forests.

“…As decay fungi soften the wood of fire-killed trees, more snags become available for nest sites. The snags and trees preferred for excavating in the first few years after fire are best identified by their large size and broken tops (Hutto 1995, Saab andDudley 1998).…”

Écologie de nidification du pic à dos noir (Picoides arcticus) en forêt boréale non brulée /

“…Moreover, suggested that Black-backed Woodpeckers use an 'island-hop' strategy, exploiting one high-quality burn after another and, when recently burned habitats are scarce, 'survive' in unburned forests until recently burned stands become available (Murphy and Lenhausen, 1998;. This suggests that unburned forests are only important to Biack-backed Woodpeckers at times when suitable recently burned forests are unavailable Saab and Dudley, 1998;. Because of this view, the practice of post-fire salvage logging has been strongly criticized, as it is perceived as eliminating potential optimal habitat for this species (Hannon and Drapeau, 2005).…”

“…Despite the assumptions outlined above, little information exists regarding the nesting ecology of Black-backed Woodpeckers in burned (but see Saab and Dudley, 1998;Saab et al, 2004Vierling et al, 2008) and unburned habitats (but see . Theoretically, lower foraging opportunities in unburned forest stands could reduce the amount of food delivered to nestlings, so increasing internestling competition (Hadow, 1976).…”

Northern goshawk and its prey in the Black Hills: Habitat assessment

“…In Idaho, nesting densities were more than double in unlogged post-burn forests compared to harvested areas in the same burn (Saab and Dudley 1998). This result was true when all or half of the merchantable trees were removed post-fire.…”