Modeling the bird response to climate adaptive silvicultural practices in a boreal forest

Presenter's Name(s)

Vegas Rockafeller

Conference Year

2024

Abstract

Land use change, particularly the simplification and loss of forested habitat, has negatively impacted songbird abundance. However, it may be possible to ameliorate population declines through climate-adaptive silvicultural practices aimed at conserving native biota and restoring structural complexity. In this study, we evaluate and compare the short-term effects of co-produced adaptation strategies, including variable density thinning and patch clearcutting with reserves on avian abundance. Using N-mixture models with a Poisson distribution, we simultaneously estimated the relative abundance and detection probability for Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Responses varied between species and across treatments.

Primary Faculty Mentor Name

Allan Strong

Status

Undergraduate

Student College

Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources

Program/Major

Wildlife and Fisheries Biology

Primary Research Category

Life Sciences

Abstract only.

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Modeling the bird response to climate adaptive silvicultural practices in a boreal forest

Land use change, particularly the simplification and loss of forested habitat, has negatively impacted songbird abundance. However, it may be possible to ameliorate population declines through climate-adaptive silvicultural practices aimed at conserving native biota and restoring structural complexity. In this study, we evaluate and compare the short-term effects of co-produced adaptation strategies, including variable density thinning and patch clearcutting with reserves on avian abundance. Using N-mixture models with a Poisson distribution, we simultaneously estimated the relative abundance and detection probability for Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Responses varied between species and across treatments.