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What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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What’s New in NH Northern Hardwoods Silviculture ‐‐ the wildlife habitat elements
Mariko Yamasaki
USDA Forest Service
Northern Research Station
Durham, NH
1 = most abundant in climax stands; 2 = second most abundant in climax stands
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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Predator‐Prey Relationships
Managers create habitat conditions over time across landscapes that influence predator‐prey relationships
Silvicultural Options
•Size of opening influences composition
•Frequency of cut matters – cuts create important ephemeral habitats
•Spatial and temporal patterns influence the reoccupation of these ephemeral habitats
From: DeGraaf et al. 2006
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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Species composition of stocked milacres, 10 to 15 years after cutting in beech‐birch‐maple by tolerance groups
Tolerance Group
Clearcutting Group Selection
Single‐tree Selection
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Percent ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
Tolerants 43 62 92
Intermediates 19 34 7
Intolerants 38 4 1
Tolerants: beech, sugar maple, hemlock, red spruceIntermediates: yellow birch, white ash, red mapleIntolerants: paper birch and aspen
From: Leak et al. (1987)
• Positive trendPileated woodpeckerBlue‐headed vireoBlack‐throated green warblerBlack‐throated blue warblerPine warblerOvenbird
• Negative trendVeeryWood thrushScarlet tanager
• Positive trendAmerican wigeonRock dove
• Negative trendKilldeerChimney swiftEuropean starlingVesper sparrowSavannah sparrowBobolinkE. meadowlarkHouse sparrow
1966‐2009 BBS Trends by Species‐Habitat Group
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
PE
RC
EN
T
FOREST ONLY (n=17)
VT +
VT -
NH +
NH -
BCR-14 +
BCR-14 -
BCR-30 +
BCR-30 -
BCR-13 +
BCR-13 -
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
PE
RC
EN
T
NONFOREST ONLY (n=39)
VT +
VT -
NH +
NH -
BCR-14 +
BCR-14 -
BCR-30 +
BCR-30 -
BCR-13 +
BCR-13 -
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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• Positive trendMourning doveRuby‐throated hummingbirdWarbling vireoRed‐eyed vireoTufted titmouseNorthern parulaNorthern cardinal
• Negative trendRuffed grouseNorthern flickerOlive‐sided flycatcherE. wood‐peweeLeast flycatcherE. kingbirdBrown thrasherYellow warblerChestnut‐sided warblerAmerican redstartCanada warblerE. towheeField sparrowSong sparrowRose‐breasted grosbeakBrown‐headed cowbird
1966‐2009 BBS Trends by Species‐Habitat Group
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
PE
RC
EN
T
FOREST-NONFOREST (n=106)
VT +
VT -
NH +
NH -
BCR-14 +
BCR-14 -
BCR-30 +
BCR-30 -
BCR-13 +
BCR-13 -
Composition Habitat opportunity class
Habitat breadth: Essentially forest Forest and nonforest
Forest > 90 70‐90
Nonforest 0‐10 5‐30
Water < 5 > 5
Size‐class Distribution:
RegenerationSapling‐poleSawtimber
Large sawtimber
5‐1530‐4040‐50< 10
5‐1530‐4040‐50< 10
Cover‐type Distribution:
Deciduous (not oak)
Short rotationLong rotation
5‐1520‐35
5‐2010‐20
Hard mast – oak 1‐5 1‐15
Coniferous 35‐50 25‐50
Nonforest
Upland openingsWetlands
3‐51‐3
5‐103‐5
Desired Habitat Composition Goals for NE Landscapes
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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So what’s new?
• We’re treating stands with an eye to their patchiness –rather than tree‐by‐tree
• We’re recognizing the importance of how regeneration is laid out on‐the‐ground
• We’re paying closer attention to habitat features in managed stands that maintain/enhance wildlife habitat diversity
Ordination of avian similarity for 114 survey points, WMNF
•Early successional bird community in new hardwood clearcuts is very different from the mature hardwood bird community
•Bird community in group selection cuts are mixtures of mature hardwoods and some but not all early successional communities
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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BEF case study – ES birds respond to group size
From: Leak et al. (in review)
• Costello et al. (2000) groups/patches studied for additional 3‐5 years
• ES birds were observed more often in larger than smaller groups/patches
BEF case study ‐‐ bird use of clearcuts, patches, and shelterwood
From: Yamasaki et al. (2014)
• ES species not present in pre‐harvest stands
• Species richness was similar (ES, Gen, M/LS)
• Higher proportions of ES species and observations in CC and patches than shelterwood
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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Frequency of Cutting Cycle Matters ‐ Ephemeral Habitats
Species First appear Common Decline E. bluebird 1 1 2N. flicker 1 1 7‐10Willow flycatcher 1 4 7‐10Winter wren 1 2Swainson's thrush 2 4 15*Chestnut‐sided warbler 2 4 10Mourning warbler 2 5 7‐10
Common yellowthroat 2 6 10American goldfinch 2 6 7‐10Cedar waxwing 2 4 7‐10Veery 3 6 *Black‐and‐white warbler 3 4 15*Rose‐breasted grosbeak 3 15 *Canada warbler 5 15 *Ruffed grouse 10 15 *Wood thrush 10 15 *Ovenbird 10 15 *Black‐throated blue warbler 15 * *
Black‐throated green warbler 15 * *
From: DeGraaf et al. (1992)
ESH as post‐fledging habitat
From: C. Chandler et al. 2012
• Capture rates of mature forest nesting birds (BLBW, BTBW, BTNW, REVI, SWTH) in ESH > in mature forest during post‐fledging period
• ES birds were rarely mist‐netted in mature forest habitat
• Generalists use ES habitats also as post‐fledging habitat
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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Patch cuts (1.6 ha) ‐ no adjacent roadsComp. 18 (n = 2)
0
5
10
15
20
Cut Stand Forest Stand
Softwood groups (0.2 ha) ‐mature
comparisons (n = 4)
0
5
10
15
20
Cut Stand Forest Stand
Ba
t pa
sse
s/d
ete
ctor
/nig
ht
Patch cuts (1.6 ha) ‐ roads adjacent to cut stand Comp. 45 (n = 2)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Cut Stand Forest Stand
Treatment Type
Ba
t pa
sse
s/d
ete
ctor
/hou
r
EFU LBO LCI LNO PSU MYOTIS
Hardwood regen (7.3 ha) ‐maturecomparisons (n = 4)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Cut Stand Forest Stand
Treatment TypeEFU LBO LCI LNO PSU MYOTIS
Modified from: Krusic and Neefus 1996
Relative Bat Flight Activity Across Opening Sizes, WMNF
So what’s new?
• We’re treating stands with an eye to their patchiness –rather than tree‐by‐tree
• We’re recognizing the importance of how regeneration is laid out on‐the‐ground
• We’re paying closer attention to habitat features in managed stands that maintain/enhance wildlife habitat diversity
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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Early Successional Habitat Strategies
From: DeGraaf and Yamasaki 2003
So what’s new?
• We’re treating stands with an eye to their patchiness –rather than tree‐by‐tree
• We’re recognizing the importance of how regeneration is laid out on‐the‐ground
• We’re paying closer attention to habitat features in managed stands that maintain/enhance wildlife habitat diversity
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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BEF Vegetative Structure
From: DeGraaf et al. 1998; Leak et al. 1987; DeGraaf et al. 2001, 2005, 2006
• Cover‐type ‐‐ a good habitat descriptor for some species, not for others ‐‐ better with stand structure info
• For species with size‐class affinities, interpreting relationships needs stand structure assessment
• Forest bird habitat management needs the finer details of stand structure that neither cover‐type nor size‐class can provide
Within‐stand features enhanced with integrated prescriptions
No mgt Uneven‐aged mgt Even‐aged mgt
Single‐tree
Group/ patch
Thinning Shelterwood Clearcut
Canopy closure
Tree‐sized gaps
Closed Partial Closed ‐partial
Partial Open
Exposed perches
X X X
Inclusions X X X X X X
Large cavity trees
Abundant X X X X X
Hard mast X X NI X X NI
Soft mast X X X
Midstory X X NI X NI NI
Shrub layer X X X
Herb layer X X X
CWD Abundant Minimal X X X X
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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Retention Areas on Larger Cuts
Provides:
• resistant beech mast opportunities
• larger diameter tree diversity within cut stand over time
• secure groups of cavity trees (OSHA)
Structure Related Within‐Stand Features
Regenerating shrub layer
Midstory layer
Soft mast and herbaceous layer
Upland openings
Vernal pools
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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Tree Related Within‐Stand Features
Exposed perches
Cavity trees
Den trees
Soft snags
From: DeGraaf et al. 2006
Hard mast inclusions
Seed fall in old growth northern hardwoods
0
20
40
60
80
Mill
ion
s o
f se
eds/
ha
YB SM
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
Mill
ion
s o
f se
eds/
ha
BE
From: Graber and Leak 1992
• SM, YB, and BE account for 98% of seed fall
• On average 1/3 of the crop was available for regeneration
• Seed production is highly variable
• Wildlife consumption estimated at 2‐16%; BE consumption at 8%
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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Beech seed fall in managed stands
From: Graber and Leak 1992; Leak and Graber 1993
• Production increases with age/size and percent of BE basal area
• Seed production is highly variable
• Filled seed averaged 74 to 88%
• Avian consumption ranged from 0 to 11%
• Rodents consumed 0 to 9%• Heavy seed production
occurs about 1 in 3 years
Extensive landscapes managed using single‐tree selection only tends to limit horizontal diversity, distribution of browse and early and mid‐successional foraging substrates used by herbivores and insectivores alike
Uneven‐aged Management Concerns
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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•No vertebrate old growth‐obligates documented in NE to date
• Surveys indicate some bryophyte, mite, and ground‐dwelling beetle species may find such stands of interest
No Vegetation Management Approaches
Potential Habitats Available With Broad Management Strategies
From: DeGraaf et al. 2006
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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So what’s new?
• We’re treating stands with an eye to their patchiness –rather than tree‐by‐tree
• We’re recognizing the importance of how regeneration is laid out on‐the‐ground
• We’re paying closer attention to habitat features in managed stands that maintain/enhance wildlife habitat diversity
CWD – Structural Habitat Elements
Large cavity and den treesLarge hollow logsCull, slash, and brush piles
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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Species That Benefit from CWD Presence
BEF Snag Longevity –Dense Hardwoods
From: Yamasaki and Leak (2006)
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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BEF – Large snags (> 16 in dbh)
BEF – Evidence of Woodpecker Use
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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BEF CWD Piece Size Distributionmidpoint diameter (in)
Small Mammal CWD Test
• Pilot study on existing BEF small mammal study
• CWD removed from C45 each spring
• Very preliminary results
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post
Pieces per acre
< 9" 9 ‐ 11.9" 12 ‐ 15.9" 16+"
Average number of CWD pieces per acre pre/post treatment
C 41 C 42 C 45
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Cap
ture
s/10
0 tr
ap n
igh
ts
COMP 41 (ADDED) COMP 42 COMP 45 (REMOVED)
CompCWD treat
Pre‐treat(n= 9 yr)> = <
Post‐treat(n =3 yr)> = <
41 + 4 5 1 .5
42 NC 9 3
45 ‐ 5 4 1 .5
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Birds of NA
Forest Landscape Compositions
0 10 20 30 40NOGO Territories
0
20
40
60
80
100
Land
scap
e C
ompo
sitio
n (%
)
WETLAND_ALLOPENWATER_5ACT_AGRI_200D_LAND_100CL_OTH_OPEN_FOREST_400
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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• Occur in forest‐dominated landscapes• Often a component of managed stands• Occur on lands with history of agricultural activity or prior cutting
Goshawk Nest Territories
Often near upland openings, woods roads and trails
Most often at the bottom of lower slope positions at elevations less than 1500 ft
Nest Site Characteristics
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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Nest Site Characteristics
or mixed stands of spruce/fir and hardwoods
Goshawks in this region use white pine stands
Nest Site Characteristics
• More sawtimber‐sized trees and higher softwood basal areas in nest sites compared to random sites
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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51.7 ft
Nest Tree Characteristics
White Pine
Mean DBH = 19.5 in
Hardwoods
Mean DBH = 14.8 in
43.0 ft
BEF patches
2001
2013
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
October 2014
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BEF patches
Advanced regeneration can recover from severe browsing
From: Jacobs (1969)
From: Trimble (1968)
What's New New in Northern Hardwood Silviculture- Bartlett, NH
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Browse pressure effects
• Heavy browsing on BF can favor RS
• Can increase softwood composition on the right site
• Can be severe in localized areas
Physical obstacles to limit browse impacts?
• Resist lopping all tops• Consider leaving more tops on‐site• Consider regenerating larger stands• On small openings ‐‐ consider
strategic brush fencing