http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/authors/read/12792?format=citation Publications by D.A. Welsh en-ca 2012-06-29 07:49:33 MST 2012-06-29 07:49:33 MST webmaster@nofc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=33830 We predicted that bird diversity and abundance of some bird species would be higher in old-growth stands than in mature pine stands because of the greater structural diversity in old growth. We also predicted that patch size of stands should be influential. To test these predictions, we modeled counts of 79 bird species from 52 stands in 5 regions in the province of Ontario, Canada in relation to habitat at the local and landscape extents. Neither total species richness nor abundance differed between stand types. No significant difference was found in bird assemblages between stand types using ordination analysis. However, more Neotropical migrants were found in old-growth stands than in mature stands, while the reverse was true for short-distance migrants. Twenty-five species had higher counts in old-growth stands—three significantly so: Brown Creeper Certhia americana, Northern Parula Setophaga americana, and Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea. Supercanopy pine (> 60 cm dbh) was a significant (P &lt; 0.05) positive predictor for Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens, Northern Parula, and total species richness, while medium/large pine (> 40 cm/dbh) was a significant positive predictor for Brown Creeper, Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus, and total species richness. The density of supercanopy and medium/large pine explained a small but significant amount of variation in bird assemblages (1%), after considering age, other tree variables (9%), and landscape metrics. Patch size was significant for Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus and total abundance. According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) thresholds, Brown Creeper required a minimum of 62 stems/ha of medium/large pine. Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus and Black-throated Green Warbler required a minimum of 14 and 23 stems/ha of supercanopy pine, respectively. Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca required a minimum stand age of 66 years. Current targets in shelterwood seed cuts for pine appear to be just within range for Brown Creeper—at least for the first cut, but not for subsequent cuts. We recommend that forest management seek to emulate increased old-growth characteristics in a proportion of managed stands that fall within the range of variation expected under natural variation. Fri, 29 Jun 2012 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=33830 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=31482 We report here changes in the forest bird community of a 10.4 ha study plot located in boreal mixedwooJ forest of northern Ontario, Canada, between 1966 and 1998. During this period, the region was subject to a severe outbreak of the spruce budworm (Ckomtomura fumferana). Overall, community response to increasing Lmdworm prevalence was positive, although response pattern differed among species. All bird species that increased in population size did so during the increasing phase of the budworm cycle. By the time the budworm outbreak readied its peak in 1989-1990, both in terms of liudworm density and defoliation, bird numbers had already been declining for five or more years, suggesting that the advantages conferred by a superabundant food supply were offset by negative effects on habitat. Key wards', community composition, competition, forest birds, habitat, numerical response, spruce budworm outbreak. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=31482 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=29878 This study examined the influence of a spruce budworm (<em>Choristoneura fumiferana</em> (Clem.)) outbreak on a boreal mixed-wood bird community in forest stands ranging in age from 0 to 223 yr. We asked if (1) patterns of species response were consistent with the existence of spruce budworm specialists, i.e., species that respond in a stronger quantitative or qualitative way than other species; (2) the superabundance of food made it possible for species to expand their habitat use in age classes that were normally less used; and (3) the response to budworm was limited to specialists or was it more widespread. Results here indicated that three species, specifically the Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanea), Tennessee Warbler (<em>Vermivora peregrina</em>), and Cape May Warbler (<em>Dendroica tigrina</em>), had a larger numerical response to the budworm outbreak. They responded with increases in density of up to tenfold over 4 or 5 yr. No other species responded with more than a twofold increase in the same time period. These species also showed a functional response by breeding more frequently in young stands aged 1-21 yr and intermediate stands aged 22-36 yr as budworm numbers increased. Our data also suggested that many species profited to a lesser extent from budworm outbreaks, but that this effect may be too subtle to detect in most studies. We found evidence of a positive numerical effect in at least 18 additional species in one or two stand-age categories but never in all three for any one species. Given the numerical response in many species and the potential influence of budworm on bird populations because of the vast extent of outbreaks, we believe that the population cycle of spruce budworm should be considered in any evaluation of population trends in eastern boreal birds. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=29878 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=10463 The Canadian Wildlife Service-Ontario Region, Environment Canada, and the Landscape Analysis and Applications Section of the Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, have created and compiled digital range maps of birds that breed in Canada. The purpose of this report is to describe the digital range map data, to outline the methods and sources used to create the data, and to describe summaries of proportional analyses that dissect the ranges by national, provincial, and ecological boundaries. The maps and summaries may be viewed at the Canadian Wildlife Service-Ontario Region Web site: http://www.cciw.ca/green-lane/wildlife/wildspace/ (Library) Tue, 22 Aug 2000 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=10463 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=32432 Wed, 18 May 2011 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=32432 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=32425 Wed, 18 May 2011 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=32425 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=28805 There is widespread agreement throughout the countries of the world from government, industry and the public that the conservation of forest biodiversity and sustainable use of forests are of critical priority. Now that broad ethical support for biodiversity conservation has been achieved, the development and implementation of practical approaches is the next step. Currently, conservation activities are diverse and lack integration, resulting in confusion. In this paper we develop a multi-element conceptual framework to draw together conservation components and provide an overall integrative structure. In addition, we argue that scientists need to be involved in the development of human value systems that will deal with the ethics of forest resource use. As well, they need to work towards the recognition and adoption of biodiversity conservation as a continuous ongoing process rather than an end product. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=28805 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=28795 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=28795