To assist forest managers in balancing an increasing diversity of resource objectives, we developed a toolkit modeling approach for sustainable forest management (SFM). The approach inserts a meta-modeling strategy into a collaborative modeling framework grounded in adaptive management philosophy that facilitates participation among stakeholders, decision makers, and local domain experts in the meta-model building process. The modeling team works iteratively with each of these groups to define essential questions, identify data resources, and then determine whether available tools can be applied or adapted, or whether new tools can be rapidly created to fit the need. The desired goal of the process is a linked series of domain-specific models (tools) that balances generalized "top-down" models (i.e., scientific models developed without input from the local system) with case-specific customized "bottom-up" models that are driven primarily by local needs. Information flow between models is organized according to vertical (i.e., between scale) and horizontal (i.e., within scale) dimensions. We illustrate our approach within a 2.1 million hectare forest planning district in central Labrador, a forested landscape where social and ecological values receive a higher priority than economic values. However, the focus of this paper is on the process of how SFM modeling tools and concepts can be rapidly assembled and applied in new locations, balancing efficient transfer of science with adaptation to local needs. We use the Labrador case study to illustrate strengths and challenges uniquely associated with a meta-modeling approach to integrated modeling as it fits within the broader collaborative modeling framework. Principle advantages of the approach include the scientific rigor introduced by peer-reviewed models, combined with the adaptability of meta-modeling.A key challenge is the limited transparency of scientific models to different participatory groups. This challenge can be overcome by frequent and substantive two-way communication among different groups at appropriate times in the model-building process, combined with strong leadership that includes strategic choices when assembling the modeling team. The toolkit approach holds promise for extending beyond case studies, without compromising the bottom-up flow of needs and information, to inform SFM planning using the best available science.

Labrador, Canada is the last relatively undeveloped landmass of Boreal and subarctic Canada. Its land area is over 288,000 km 2 , with less than 1% developed, and a human population of below 30,000. Labrador is greater than 60% forest-and woodlandcovered and over 30% tundra, soil and rock barrens. We review the ecology and distribution of forests, woodlands, and related vegetation of Labrador within the context of climate, forest site index, landform, soils, and disturbance. Recent ecosystem management through a public planning process with emphasis on past and future comanagement and development with traditional and western scientific principles is currently underway. Plant-animal interactions, traditional uses by aboriginal groups, and early history are also reviewed.

To evaluate the efficacy of forest management to emulate natural disturbance, we compared bird abundances among burned and clear-cut, former black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) sites, after 5, 14, and 27 years of succession. Total bird density was lower in clear-cut sites resulting from fewer hermit thrushes, yellow warblers, Swainson's thrushes, and fox sparrows. Hermit thrushes were positively correlated with snag density while yellow warblers and Swainson's thrushes were positively associated with deciduous tree cover and negatively correlated with conifer cover. Only yellow-rumped warblers had higher densities on clear-cut sites, likely due to greater conifer cover. Bird densities and species richness peaked in the 14-year-old burns and exceeded that of mature forests reported for Labrador. This demonstrates the importance of natural early successional forests for birds. Although logged areas support several species found in natural young burns, logging does not precisely mimic fire. This suggests that forest managers should allow some forests to burn naturally.

Point count summary statistics (e.g. mean abundance, maximum abundance, frequency and presence/ absence) reflect different assumptions about behavioral and population processes. In this paper we (1) determine the frequency and usage trends of different point count summary statistics in recent ornithological literature, and (2) assess how well point count data, summarized using five common statistics, predict an alternate measure of habitat quality-reproductive activity. For the 100 journal years we reviewed (10 journals over 10 years), 148 papers used point counts to evaluate bird habitat relationships. The number of papers using point counts has increased over the decade. Mean abundance, the most common summary statistic, was used more than twice as frequently as the next most common summary statistics. Only 25.7% (38 papers) provided a justification for use of a particular summary technique. We conducted point counts in three Canadian study regions (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador) comprised of two ecosystem types (forest and grassland). While there was a statistically significant positive correlation between point count data and reproductive activity data for most species, we found that point counts were often unsuccessful at predicting reproductive activity in forest birds. For species where point counts adequately predicted reproductive activity mean abundance and frequency were consistently the best predictors. Our results indicate that statistics using information on intra-season (multiple-visit) occupancy tend to be better estimators of reproductive activity.

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