Partial and clear-cut harvesting of high-elevation sprucefir forests: implications for small mammal communities

Klenner, Walt; Sullivan, Thomas P.

doi:10.1139/x03-142

Cited by 62 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…In boreal mixedwood and black spruce sites in western Quebec, Cheveau (2003) found no difference in red-backed vole capture rates between diameterlimit cuts and controls. Studies of selection cutting, thinning, and other high-retention (typically 50%-70%) harvesting systems from other areas have shown either no significant effects (Brooks and Healy 1988, Klenner and Sullivan 2003, Fuller et al 2004, Gitzen 2006, or a positive effect (Monthey and Soutiere 1985, Medin and Booth 1989, Mahon 1998, Steventon et al 1998, Von Treba et al 1998, Homyack et al 2005, of harvesting on this species.…”

Section: Rodentsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Effects of partial harvesting on vertebrate species associated with late-successional forests in Ontario’s boreal region

Vanderwel¹,

Mills²,

Malcolm³

2009

The Forestry Chronicle

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In the boreal forest region, partial-harvest silviculture has been garnering increasing interest as a means of maintaining wildlife species and habitat structure associated with late-successional forests. If late-successional species can find suitable habitat in partially harvested stands with a given level of structural retention, then partial harvesting might represent a viable silvicultural tool for maintaining wildlife dependent on mature or old-forest habitat within managed stands over time. Here we summarize literature on the responses of late-successional amphibians, birds, and mammals in Ontario's boreal region to various intensities of partial harvesting. We assess species responses from comparisons of habitat use in harvested and unharvested stands; we do not explicitly consider impacts of partial harvesting applied over large areas across the landscape. At the stand scale, light-intensity harvesting (70% retention) negatively affects several passerine birds, as well as spruce grouse winter habitat, but most late-successional species (including all mammals and amphibians considered) appear to be tolerant of this level of habitat alteration. Moderate-intensity harvesting (50% retention) was found to reduce the abundance of about 40% of the species considered, particularly cavity-and snag-dependent species (martens, northern flying squirrels, owls) and passerine birds that forage or nest in the canopy and understory. Highintensity (30% retention) partial harvesting was found to provide unsuitable habitat for about one quarter of all late-successional species, including most forest raptors, pileated and black-backed woodpeckers, brown creepers, northern flying squirrels, and woodland caribou. Also, studies indicate that additional passerine bird species would decrease in abundance, as would small, moisture-dependent, terrestrial species such as short-tailed shrews, red-backed voles, and eastern red-backed salamanders. There is a need to strengthen our understanding of responses to partial harvesting for nonpasserine birds and large mammals, and to verify species responses through experimental studies within Ontario's boreal region.Key words: structural retention, selection, shelterwood, seed tree, cavities, snags, downed woody debris, habitat suitability, amphibians, birds, mammals, biodiversity, review RÉSUMÉ Dans la région de la forêt boréale, la sylviculture basée sur une récolte partielle a attiré de plus en plus d'attention en tant que moyen de préserver les espèces sauvages et la structure du milieu associé aux forêts de fin de succession. Si les espèces de fin de succession peuvent retrouver un milieu adéquat dans les peuplements ayant subi une coupe partielle qui préserve à un niveau donné la structure du milieu, alors la coupe partielle pourrait constituer un outil sylvicole viable pour la préservation de la faune dépendante d'une forêt mûre ou d'une vieille forêt retrouvée au cours du temps parmi les peuplements aménagés. Nous avons résumé dans cet article la littérature portant sur les ...

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Section: Rodentsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Effects of partial harvesting on vertebrate species associated with late-successional forests in Ontario’s boreal region

Vanderwel¹,

Mills²,

Malcolm³

2009

The Forestry Chronicle

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“…Clear-cutting and forest fires caused a marked decline in the populations of this vole, possibly because of competition with Peromyscus spp. (Martell 1983a;Gliwicz and Glowacka 2000;Klenner and Sullivan 2003;Sullivan et al 2008).…”

Section: Natural Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Population dynamics of red-backed voles (Myodes) in North America

Boonstra

Krebs

2011

Oecologia

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We review the population dynamics of red-backed voles (Myodes species) in North America, the main deciduous and coniferous forest-dwelling microtines on this continent, and compare and contrast their pattern with that of the same or similar species in Eurasia. We identify 7 long-term studies of population changes in Myodes in North America. Using autoregressive and spectral analysis, we found that only 2 of the 7 show 3- to 5-year cycles like those found in some Eurasian populations. There was no relationship between latitude and cycling. The general lack of cyclicity is associated with two key aspects of their demography that act in tandem: first, poor overwinter survival in most years; second, chronically low densities, with irregular outbreak years. Eight factors might explain why some Myodes populations fluctuate in cycles and others fluctuate irregularly, and we review the evidence for each factor: food supplies, nutrients, predation, interspecific competition, disease, weather, spacing behavior and interactive effects. Of these eight, only food supplies appear to be sufficient to explain the differences between cyclic and non-cyclic populations. Irregular fluctuations are the result of pulsed food supplies in the form of berry crops (M. rutilus) or tree seeds (M. gapperi) linked to weather patterns. We argue that, to understand the cause for the patterns in the respective hemispheres, we must know the mechanism(s) driving population change and this must be linked to rigorous field tests. We suggest that a large-scale, year-round feeding experiment should improve overwintering survival, increase standing densities, and flip non-cyclic Myodes populations into cyclic dynamics that would mimic the patterns seen in the cyclic populations found in parts of Eurasia.

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“…2), i.e. a biotope suitable mainly for field and common voles (Klenner, Sullivan 2003). Both species are able to inhabit the grassy clearcut areas very well and to drive the bank vole out of there.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rodent-caused damage to forest trees from the viewpoint of forestry practice

Kamler¹,

Turek²,

Homolka³

et al. 2010

J. For. Sci.

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Small mammals cause serious damage to forests but there is only little knowledge of their ecology and possibilities of plantation protection. The objective of our study was to collect information on the damage caused by rodents to plantations of forest tree species. Data were obtained from a survey conducted in 2008 that was aimed at damage caused by small mammals. Questionnaires were sent mostly to foresters engaged in the Lesy CR state enterprise. We obtained usable data from 316 foresters. The response rate was 81%. It was confirmed that rodents cause significant damage all over the Czech Republic and that the occurrence of damage cannot be easily predicted with certainty as significant damage may appear perhaps in a small part of the threatened plantations where the key conditions for small mammals have been fulfilled. The main factors which affected probability of damage include: presence of a woody species attractive to rodents; suitable structure of ground vegetation enabling the pest species to breed sufficiently during the vegetation period; and also long-lasting snow cover. The current approach of forestry practice to damage by small mammals is considerably passive and we are missing an alert system of threat to stands and a methodology of dealing with problematic situations. Most of the foresters are uninterested in small mammals and many have only very smattering knowledge of the dangerousness of individual species and their ecological requirements. The use of rodenticides is expensive and the most effective and economic measure to lower damage by small mammals is to support forest management favouring natural regeneration of forest stands.

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Partial and clear-cut harvesting of high-elevation sprucefir forests: implications for small mammal communities

Cited by 62 publications

References 41 publications

Effects of partial harvesting on vertebrate species associated with late-successional forests in Ontario’s boreal region

Effects of partial harvesting on vertebrate species associated with late-successional forests in Ontario’s boreal region

Population dynamics of red-backed voles (Myodes) in North America

Rodent-caused damage to forest trees from the viewpoint of forestry practice

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Partial and clear-cut harvesting of high-elevation sprucefir forests: implications for small mammal communities

Cited by 62 publications

References 41 publications

Effects of partial harvesting on vertebrate species associated with late-successional forests in Ontario’s boreal region

Effects of partial harvesting on vertebrate species associated with late-successional forests in Ontario’s boreal region

Population dynamics of red-backed voles (Myodes) in North America

Rodent-caused damage to forest trees from the viewpoint of forestry practice

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Product

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Partial and clear-cut harvesting of high-elevation sprucefir forests: implications for small mammal communities