Stand conditions and tree characteristics affect quality of longleaf pine for red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees

Abstract

We measured resin flow of longleaf (Pirzus palustris Mill.) pines in red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis Vieillot) clusters in the Angelina National Forest in Texas, and the Apalachicola National Forest in Florida. Sample trees were categorized as active cavity trees, inactive cavity trees and control trees. Sample trees were further categorized by stand position as either edge or interior trees. Longleaf cavity trees in Texas and Florida had similar resin flow characteristics. Active cavity trees on forest edges had the highest resin flow, whereas active cavity trees in forest interiors had the lowest. Trees experiencing both low and high levels of red-cockaded woodpecker activity and comptition from other trees had low resin flow, whereas intermediate stress typically resulted in high resin flow. Results from this study indicate that the best active red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees, from a resin flow perspective, are on or near forest edges. This may explain the woodpecker's observed tendency to excavate new cavities near edges even when interior basal area has been reduced and midstory has been controlled. Our results suggest that pines managed as potential cavity trees should be experiencing minimal competition, and that a mosaic of patches in red-cockaded woodpecker habitat may be preferable to more uniform conditions.

Conservation Genetics of the Largest Cluster of Federally Threatened Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Colonies with Implications for Species Management

“…When Longleaf Pine habitat is not maintained, species restricted to this habitat may decline and become isolated in patches of suitable habitat (e.g., Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picoides borealis [Ross et al, 1997]; Dusky Gopher Frog, Rana sevosa [Richter and Jensen, 2005]), which results in inbreeding, lowered genetic variability, and lowered probability of persistence (Bouzat et al, 2009;Richter et al, 2003Richter et al, , 2009Westemeier et al, 1998). Regional abundance and genetic diversity are dependent on both within-population and among-population dynamics (Zamudio and Wieczorek, 2007).…”

Silviculture that sustains: the nexus between silviculture, frequent prescribed fire, and conservation of biodiversity in longleaf pine forests of the southeastern United States

“…Grass-stage seedlings, once established, can survive for 10-15 years until released through harvest operations or natural causes of mortality. Not only does variation in stand age structure influence recruitment of regeneration, but it also influences the abundance of trees with the kind of resin flow and sapwood to heartwood ratios that are favored by the red-cockaded woodpecker (Ross et al 1997).…”

Effects of herbaceous and woody plant control on Pinus palustris growth and foliar nutrients through six growing seasons

“…Mill.) trees after establishing regeneration either through the shelterwood with reserves or group selection methods better sustains the long-term ecological character of the longleaf pine ecosystem than removal of the shelterwood or clearcutting (Boyer, 1993;Palik et al, 1997;Ross et al, 1997;Brockway and Outcalt, 1998). However, species composition and stand structure appropriate for www.elsevier.com/locate/foreco Forest Ecology and Management 214 (2005) [384][385][386][387][388][389][390][391][392][393][394][395][396][397] shelterwood, group selection, or singletree selection are not always present on sites where restoring longleaf pine is the management objective.…”