Bird communities of gambel oak: a descriptive analysis

Leidolf, Andreas; Wolfe, Michael L.; Pendleton, Rosemary L.

doi:10.2737/rmrs-gtr-48

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Following our initial analysis, we repeated the analysis with all species encountered. We focused our analysis of bird species occurrence on 10 species considered to be associated with Gambel oak that we detected at .10 points (Poole et al 1995, Rosenstock 1998, Leidolf et al 2000, Chambers 2002). These species included cordilleran flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis), plumbeous vireo (Vireo plumbeus), mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli), western bluebird (Sialia mexicana), hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), Virginia's warbler (Vermivora virginiae), yellowrumped warbler (Dendroica coronata), Grace's warbler (Dendroica graciae), red-faced warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons), and black-headed grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) occurs in multiple growth forms, including shrub-like plants, small trees, and large trees up to 90 cm in diameter (Clary andTiedemann 1992, Kruse 1992). Because Gambel oak reproduces both by seed and sprouting, it occurs as both scattered individuals and dense clumps (Leidolf et al 2000). In the southwestern United States, Gambel oak is often found in association with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) at elevations of 2,000-2,800 m (Hanks et al 1983).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Southwestern ponderosa pine forests have become the focus of management practices that aim to reduce risk of stand-replacing wildfire and to restore forest structure to conditions similar to those that occurred historically (Fulé et al 2005). Because these practices can be implemented on a large scale and can also influence abundance and structure of Gambel oak (Leidolf et al 2000), identifying attributes of Gambel oak that are important to birds in pine-oak forests would be a valuable conservation measure. In addition, past forest management practices that aimed to reduce Gambel oak in ponderosa pine forests, increased ponderosa pine density due to fire suppression, and lack of recruitment of mature oak trees have resulted in declining numbers of large oak trees (Clary and Tiedeman 1992, Kruse 1992, Chambers 2002, Ryniker et al 2006.…”

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Associations Among Breeding Birds and Gambel Oak in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests

et al. 2008

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Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests with Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) are associated with higher bird abundance and diversity than are ponderosa pine forests lacking Gambel oak. Little is known, however, about specific structural characteristics of Gambel oak trees, clumps, and stands that may be important to birds in ponderosa pine‐Gambel oak (hereafter pine‐oak) forests. We examined associations among breeding birds and structural characteristics of Gambel oak at a scale similar in size to individual bird territories in pine‐oak forests in northern Arizona and western New Mexico, USA. Avian species richness and occurrence of some bird species were associated with specific growth forms of Gambel oak. Estimated probability of Virginia's warblers (Vermivora virginiae), black‐headed grosbeaks (Pheucticus melanocephalus), and red‐faced warblers (Cardellina rubrifrons) occurring at points increased with increasing density of pole‐sized Gambel oak 7–15 cm in diameter at breast height. We also found evidence that large Gambel oak trees (≥23 cm dbh) were associated with increased occurrence of yellow‐rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata) at points. Some avian associations with oak were influenced by characteristics of ponderosa pines. For example, bird species richness was positively associated with the abundance of large Gambel oak when density of large pine trees ≥23 cm in diameter at breast height was low. Because large oak trees are rare and their numbers are thought to be declining, efforts should be made to retain and promote growth of additional oaks in this size class. Forest management practices that maintain forest openings, such as prescribed burning, could promote growth of pole‐sized Gambel oak, which appears important to some bird species in pine‐oak forests.

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Associations Among Breeding Birds and Gambel Oak in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests

et al. 2008

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“…We included Gambel oak as a tree density variable because 81% of nesting attempts were in cavities in Gambel oak ( n = 43) or Gambel oak snags ( n = 13). In addition, Hayward (1948) found six times as many invertebrates under oaks than in surrounding areas and 30 times more invertebrates under oaks than under either herbaceous low shrubs or tall shrubs (Leidolf et al 2000). Thus, Gambel oak likely plays an important role in Western Bluebird ecology.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest Stand Characteristics Altered by Restoration Affect Western Bluebird Habitat Quality

Wightman

Germaine

2006

Restoration Ecology

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Forest managers are setting Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests in the southwestern United States on a trajectory toward a restored ecosystem by reducing tree densities and managing with prescribed fire. The process of restoration dramatically alters forest stands, and the effects of these changes on wildlife remain unclear. Our research evaluated which aspects of habitat alteration from restoration treatments may be affecting the habitat quality of Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), an insectivorous songbird whose populations are declining. Habitat loss resulting from fire-suppression activities may be partially responsible for their population declines; thus, the bluebird is a good representative species for assessing how the reconstruction of presuppression forest conditions can affect wildlife. We measured habitat variables at 63 successful and 19 unsuccessful Western Bluebird nests in 1999-2001 and 2003. We compared habitat models that represented bluebird biology and habitat changes from restoration. Two models of nest success that included (1) an increased herbaceous and bare ground cover and (2) increased Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) densities and reduced Ponderosa pine densities were most supported by the data. Increased herbaceous ground cover and Gambel oak density likely represent improved invertebrate assemblages and thus improved forage abundance for nesting bluebirds. Lower Ponderosa pine densities may provide bluebirds with open perches from which to hunt and thereby improve the availability of invertebrates as a food source. We also provide a landscape-scale example of changes to bluebird habitat quality from treatments, which we recommend as a useful tool in restoration planning.

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“…However, this policy is practically impossible to enforce because a violator can always claim a tree was found down. In addition, a recent description of bird species occurring in Gambel oak habitat produced by a major agency failed to include the Mexican spotted owl (Leidolf et al 2000). Therefore, we believe that primary management agencies have failed to protect a critical resource when more abundant, alternative fuelwood (piñon and juniper) resources are available to the public.…”

Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mexican Spotted Owl Nest- And Roost-Site Habitat in Northern Arizona

May

Petersburg

Gutiérrez

2004

Journal of Wildlife Management

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The recovery plan for the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) recommended protection of owl nesting and roosting habitat. Descriptions of microhabitat (≤0.04 ha) characteristics associated with suitable nesting sites have been limited for the area of pine‐oak forest occupied by this species in Arizona, USA. Therefore, we studied Mexican spotted owl habitat on a 585‐km2 study area on the Coconino Plateau near Flagstaff, Arizona. Mexican spotted owls nested primarily in mature (≥45.7‐cm diameter at breast height [dbh]) Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii; 40%) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa; 37%) trees. We examined a plausible set of a priori models using both standard logistic regression and matched pairs logistic regression under a model‐selection framework. Our results suggested that spotted owl nest and roost sites were located on steeper slopes with greater percent canopy closure and greater mature and old‐growth tree basal area than random sites. The presence of mature and old‐growth hardwood trees was an important factor distinguishing spotted owl nest sites from all other plot types. We recommend management for mature and old‐growth trees, and for large (≥45.7‐cm dbh) oak trees in particular. In addition, due to the importance of oaks as a resource for nest and roost sites, we recommend a ban on fuelwood harvest of oaks. We present, for the first time, physical characteristics of Mexican spotted owl nest structures, which will aid resource managers in identifying potential nest sites in the field.

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Bird communities of gambel oak: a descriptive analysis

Cited by 9 publications

References 20 publications

Associations Among Breeding Birds and Gambel Oak in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests

Associations Among Breeding Birds and Gambel Oak in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests

Forest Stand Characteristics Altered by Restoration Affect Western Bluebird Habitat Quality

Mexican Spotted Owl Nest- And Roost-Site Habitat in Northern Arizona

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