Effects of Landscape Structure on Nesting Songbird Distribution in a Harvested Boreal Forest

Abstract

We studied the effects of forest cover and configuration on nesting songbird distribution in a harvested boreal forest. To emphasize landscape-level effects relative to stand effects, point count stations were established in mature stands only, but were surrounded by contrasting 100-ha landscapes. Seven of the 14 species studied responded significantly to landscape structure, but responses to specific landscape measures were found only in three species. Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanea) was absent from landscapes with ᐸ55% forest cover. Solitary Vireo (Vireo solitarius) also was associated with high forest cover per se. Conversely, American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was associated with poorly-forested landscapes. No species responded to mature forest configuration. Thus, clearcutting in boreal forests will reduce the use of remnant forest patches by certain species through a decrease of surrounding mature forest cover rather than changes in its spatial configuration.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• Université Laval CA
• Université de Sherbrooke CA

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