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Fire Effects on Cavity Nesting Birds in Forest Environments

Fire Effects on Cavity Nesting Birds in Forest Environments. By Melinda Castillo May 6, 2008. Question. How are cavity-nesting bird (CNB) populations impacted by fire and the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003? Which is more beneficial?. Methods.

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Fire Effects on Cavity Nesting Birds in Forest Environments

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  1. Fire Effects on Cavity Nesting Birds in Forest Environments By Melinda Castillo May 6, 2008

  2. Question • How are cavity-nesting bird (CNB) populations impacted by fire and the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003? Which is more beneficial?

  3. Methods • Reviewed literature and clumped papers into three groups. • Ecological Needs of CNBs • Fire = effects on forest • HFI = effects on forest

  4. Results—Ecological Needs • Nest sites • Need dead or dying trees (excavators) • Trees with holes existing holes (non-excavators)

  5. Results—Ecological Needs • Forest Composition • Age of trees • Old trees = natural decay; soft to excavate holes • Cover • Moderate cover is ideal

  6. Results—Fire • Rx is good when done under the right conditions • Catastrophic wildfire negative impacts for CNB

  7. Results—HFI • Thin Forests through cutting and burning • Remove ladder fuels and open up canopy • Prevention and Response to disease and insect infestations • Remove chance of catastrophic fire.

  8. Discussion • If the forests are left as they currently are…will have catastrophic fire…populations decrease. • Too much fuel, insect infestations, disease • CNB Effect • No Nest sites • Open canopy • Potentially no food • Will they make it out??

  9. Discussion • If comply with HFI… • Chance of catastrophic fire reduced • Canopies opened • Too much canopy-- opened detrimental • High fuel loads removed • Snags removed • Populations potentially increase

  10. Conclusion • Compliance with HFI will benefit CNB populations. • Current conditions of forests will be detrimental to CNB if/when catastrophic fire burns through the forest. • Must understand the needs and responses to habitat alteration for species you are managing.

  11. Acknowledgments • Thanks to Dr. Mannan for suggesting journal articles.

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