Response of small mammals and birds to partial cutting and clearcutting in northwest British Columbia

Abstract

A challenge facing forest managers is providing habitats for wildlife L'Baboration d'habitats associ6s aux fo&b matures ou aux vieilles associated with mature or old-growth forests. One approach is to for6ts constitue un d6fi auquel font face les amknagistes forestiers. use partial cutting which maintains forest cover while still allowUne approche repose sur l'utilisation de la coupe partielle qui pering timber harvest. We compared small mammal (voles, mice and met de maintenir le couvert forestier tout en rCcoltant de la shrews) and bird abundance after two intensities of partial cutmatikre ligneuse. NOUS avons compar6 l'abondance des petits mamting (30% and 60% volume removal) . We concluded that both of the partial cutting treatments familier (Spizella passerina) se retrouvaient exclusivement dans ~rovidedhabitat for small r~~ammals and birds typical of mature 1es coupes h blanc. Les quelques peupliers et bouleaux laiss6s dans forest, although the heavy removal began to show a shift towards dew des coupes 2 blanc furent utilis&s par les oiseaux nicheurs dans species typical of clearcuts. Because no single treatment was optides cavitAs, soit le pic h poitrine rouge (Sphyrapicus ruber), le pic ma1 for all species, we recommend that partial cutting be part of chevelu (Picoides villosus) et l'hirondelle bicolore (Tachycineta a landscape strategy to provide a range of habitat conditions simbicolor). Nous concluons que les deux coupes partielles proilar to those occurring under natural disturbance regimes. curent un habitat aux petits mammifkres et oiseaux semblables B ce qu'on retrouve en forst mature, m6me si la coupe plus intense Key words: Partial cutting, clearcutting, silvicultural systems, tend h indiquer un changement vers des e s w s typiques des coupes wildlife habitat, biodiversity, ecosystem management, birds, B blanc. C o m e aucun traitement n'a 6tB le meilleur pour toutes small mammals les espkes, nous recornmandons que la coupe partielle soit un 616-ment de I'amCnagement des paysages constituant un Bventail de conditions se rapportant B l'habitat semblable 21 ce qu'on retrouve suite 2 des r6gimes de perturbation naturelle.

What are the Environmental Consequences of Using Silviculturally Effective Forest Vegetation Management Treatments?

“…In some studies, even high percent canopy removal was more conducive to retaining small mammals than clear cuts (Steventon et al 1998).…”

“…Some changes in diversity may occur but differences are attributed to changes in vegetation cover (Morneault et al 2004, NCASI 2009 (Steventon et al 1998;. Early seral conditions created by clearcuts are also important habitat within a landscape for some avian species (Steventon et al 1998, Holloway et al 2004.…”

“…Early seral conditions created by clearcuts are also important habitat within a landscape for some avian species (Steventon et al 1998, Holloway et al 2004.…”

“…Habitat for some species is enhanced but it depends on how much of the stand is retained (Steventon et al 1998). …”

Partial cutting in old-growth boreal stands: An integrated experiment

“…Deer Mice were also influenced by the silvicultural treatments: individuals were more abundant in sites harvested by CPRS and CPPTM than in the other sites . The Deer Mouse is an early successional species that generally benefits from low levels of retention (Steventon et al 1998, Fuller et al 2004. Snowshoe Hares displayed a similarly strong reaction to the differences in logging intensity among silvicultural treatments.…”