Neighboring group density is more important than forest stand age to a threatened social woodpecker population

Garabedian, James E.; Moorman, Christopher E.; Peterson, M. Nils; Kilgo, John C.

doi:10.2981/wlb.00574

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…When availability of limiting resources changes through time due to changes in population density or group sizes, the relative benefits of demographic connectivity may also change. Contrary to our hypothesis and recent research (Garabedian et al, 2019a), neighboring cluster density during the previous year did not have an effect on group size. Assuming forest structure was similar across sampled clusters, the absence of this effect on group size does not necessarily indicate a lack of benefits associated with demographic connectivity (e.g.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…The SEM analytical framework is ideal for modeling RCW reproductive success because productivity is simultaneously influenced by the density and distribution of clusters and the size of RCW groups occupying clusters (Conner et al, 1999(Conner et al, , 2004Garabedian et al, 2019a), forest structure (Walters et al, 2002), and the extent and frequency of prescribed fire (James, Hess & Kufrin, 1997). Group sizes are positively influenced by fledgling retention (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, studies indicate increases in RCW group size (Khan & Walters, 2002) and neighboring cluster density and neighboring group sizes (i.e. the number of clusters and the number of RCWs occupying clusters within 800 m of a given RCW group, respectively) have direct positive and negative effects, respectively, on fledgling production (Garabedian et al, 2018(Garabedian et al, , 2019a. However, little research has explored whether group size mediates effects of forest structure and neighboring group sizes on fledgling production (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although previous studies of RCW habitat-fitness relationships have elucidated forest structural characteristics that guide range-wide management of foraging and nesting sites (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003), it is becoming apparent that forest structure alone does not consistently improve group productivity (Spadgenske et al, 2005;McKellar et al, 2014;Garabedian et al, 2017Garabedian et al, , 2019c. The lack of consistent relationships between forest structure and RCW productivity may be due to mediating effects of group size (Garabedian et al, 2017(Garabedian et al, , 2019a. In other cooperative breeders, group size effects outweigh effects of territory quality on fledgling production (Doerr & Doerr, 2007), suggesting positive effects of forest structure on RCW fledgling production may be indirect and mediated by group size.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In other cooperative breeders, group size effects outweigh effects of territory quality on fledgling production (Doerr & Doerr, 2007), suggesting positive effects of forest structure on RCW fledgling production may be indirect and mediated by group size. Additionally, increases in neighboring cluster density in response to ongoing forest management and provision of artificial cavities (Allen, 1991) may have positive effects on group sizes (Garabedian et al ., 2019 a ), but may simultaneously reduce productivity through heightened intraspecific competition (Garabedian et al ., 2018). Understanding the effects of neighboring cluster density may be especially important for reintroduction efforts where RCWs are introduced into small and isolated forests that provide few, if any, dispersal opportunities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Group size mediates effects of intraspecific competition and forest structure on productivity in a recovering social woodpecker population

Garabedian

Moorman

Peterson

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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Conservation of endangered social wildlife in disturbance‐prone forests is challenging because direct and indirect effects of management strategies developed at the time of species’ listing when population density is low may change under high‐density conditions in locally recovered populations. Here, we used piecewise structural equation modeling to evaluate direct and indirect drivers of productivity in the federally endangered cooperatively breeding red‐cockaded woodpecker Dryobates borealis (RCW) on Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA. We estimated direct and indirect relationships among group size, neighboring group sizes, fledgling production, density of cavity tree clusters occupied by RCWs, area satisfying threshold criteria of ≥22 stems ha−1 of pines ≥35.6 cm diameter at breast height (dbh), <1.4 m2 ha−1 basal area (BA) of hardwoods 7.6–22.9 cm dbh, and <6% hardwood canopy cover, and area treated with prescribed fire, and tested whether group size mediated indirect effects of area satisfying threshold criteria on fledgling production. Increases in area with ≥22 stems ha−1 of pines ≥35.6 cm dbh and <1.4 m2 ha−1 BA of hardwoods 7.6–22.9 cm dbh, and area treated with prescribed fire, but not area with <6% hardwood canopy cover, had direct positive effects on group size. Group size and area treated with prescribed fire, but not area satisfying threshold criteria, had direct positive effects on fledgling production. The direct effect of neighboring group sizes on fledgling production was negative and smaller relative to the direct positive effect of group size on fledgling production. Overall, our results indicate positive direct effects of group size on fledgling production outweighed negative direct effects of neighboring group sizes, and that group size mediated positive indirect effects of area satisfying structural threshold criteria on fledgling production. These findings indicate that ongoing forest management aimed to increase area with ≥22 pines ha−1 ≥35.6 cm dbh and <1.4 m2 ha−1 BA of hardwoods 7.6–22.9 cm dbh will promote large group sizes, which in turn improve fledgling production and offset costs of heightened competition with neighboring groups under high‐density conditions. Additionally, positive effects of area treated with prescribed fire on RCW group size and fledgling production indicate prescribed fire has unique contributions to woodpecker productivity, likely via direct effects on forest structure and potentially indirect effects on arthropod prey available to foraging RCWs. By simultaneously accounting for multiple drivers of productivity in social wildlife, our study contributes to the understanding of how increases in social wildlife population sizes can alter previously documented habitat‐fitness relationships.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Group size mediates effects of intraspecific competition and forest structure on productivity in a recovering social woodpecker population

Garabedian

Moorman

Peterson

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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Remotely sensed habitat quality index reliably predicts an umbrella species presence but not demographic performance: A case study with open pine forests and red-cockaded woodpeckers

DuBose

Boor

Fields

et al. 2023

Ecological Indicators

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Synthesis of Red-cockaded Woodpecker management strategies and suggestions for regional specificity in future management

Martin

Gigliotti

Ferguson

2021

Ornithological Applications

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The Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis, RCW) was listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1973 due to significant population declines resulting from habitat loss and fragmentation, and the species has been intensively managed since then. We reviewed management strategies commonly used to conserve the RCW, emphasizing studies conducted after publication of the most recent Recovery Plan in 2003, to evaluate the efficacy of each strategy across the RCW’s range and identify demographic and environmental factors that influence the success of each strategy. Of the management strategies reviewed, outcomes from prescribed fire vary the most across the RCW’s range, because prescribed fire is influenced by the site’s vegetation, abiotic conditions, and land use history. The abundance of cavity kleptoparasites varies across sites, but kleptoparasite control is only a high priority in small RCW populations. The long-term effectiveness of artificial cavities and translocations, which are highly effective across the RCW’s range in the short-term, requires suitable habitat, which is strongly influenced by prescribed fire. Regional variation in RCW management may be needed, because RCW populations that are not in archetypical suitable habitat (sensu Recovery Plan Standards) may benefit from management methods that are not suitable for large RCW populations in archetypical habitats (e.g., installing many cavity restrictor plates and cavity inserts). RCW management strategies have been studied most in the South Central Plains and Southeastern Plains ecoregions, and more research in other ecoregions would be valuable. We encourage consideration of how management varies according to population demographics and site characteristics as opposed to a “one-size fits all” management approach for the RCW, which inhabits broad geographic ranges and sites of varying productivity and will continue to rely on management efforts after downlisting or delisting from the Endangered Species Act.

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Neighboring group density is more important than forest stand age to a threatened social woodpecker population

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 3 publications

References 74 publications

Group size mediates effects of intraspecific competition and forest structure on productivity in a recovering social woodpecker population

Group size mediates effects of intraspecific competition and forest structure on productivity in a recovering social woodpecker population

Remotely sensed habitat quality index reliably predicts an umbrella species presence but not demographic performance: A case study with open pine forests and red-cockaded woodpeckers

Synthesis of Red-cockaded Woodpecker management strategies and suggestions for regional specificity in future management

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