Influence of landscape- and stand-scale factors on avian communities to aid in open pine restoration

• Published in: Forest ecology and management Vol. 384; pp. 389 - 399
• Main Authors: Hannah, Taylor I., Tirpak, John M., Wathen, Greg, Loman, Zachary G., Evans, David L., Rush, Scott A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.01.2017
• Subjects: Bachman’s Sparrow; Colinus virginianus; Indicator species; Longleaf pine; Occupancy; Open pine; Picoides borealis; Pinus; Red-cockaded Woodpecker; Sitta pusilla; USA, Mississippi; Bachman’s Sparrow; Longleaf pine; Indicator species; Open pine; Red-cockaded Woodpecker; Occupancy
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2016.10.054

•We tested priority bird association with forest structure for longleaf restoration.•RCWO and BACS occupancies correlated with forest structure of historic longleaf.•NOBO and BHNU were too generalized and did not correlate with open pine endpoints.•Greater avian richness was observed where RCWO and BACS co-occurred.•Restoration endpoints could better reflect forest conditions for priority birds. Determining species occurrence in ecosystems of high conservation concern is especially important for recommending habitat management techniques and identifying suitable restoration sites. We investigated (1) how stand- and landscape-scale attributes affect occupancy of priority bird species associated with longleaf pine (Pinus palutris) ecosystems, (2) if these priority birds can be used as indicator species for desired open pine forest structure, and (3) if these indicator species are positively correlated with greater avian richness. We compared priority bird occupancy among 12 stand types (habitat types) throughout the historic range of longleaf pine in Mississippi. We found stands resembling the historic longleaf pine ecosystem were positively associated with Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and Bachman’s Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) occupancy probabilities, but were not significantly correlated with Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) or Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) occupancy. Both of which were too generalized in their occurrence to be useful indicators. Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Bachman’s Sparrow occupancy probabilities positively correlated with desired forest structure metrics of longleaf pine ecosystems such as low midstory density (<10%) and basal area (9.2–16.1m2/ha) and 40–60% canopy cover suggesting they are effective indicators of historic longleaf pine conditions. Co-occurrence of Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Bachman’s Sparrow was positively correlated with avian richness, indicating these species can be used in conjunction as effective indicators for desired open pine endpoints used for restoration and management. Inclusion of priority bird species in management efforts provides assurance that restored areas will incorporate desired forest structure endpoints that have been linked to open pine priority bird presence. Correlation between priority bird species and avian species richness ensures restored areas provide suitable habitat for local avian communities.