scholarly journals Nest Sites and Nest Webs for Cavity-Nesting Communities in Interior British Columbia, Canada: Nest Characteristics and Niche Partitioning

The Condor ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy Martin ◽  
Kathryn E. H. Aitken ◽  
Karen L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Sturnus Vulgaris ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Colaptes Auratus

Abstract The mixed forests of interior British Columbia, Canada, support a rich community of cavity nesters, accounting for about one-third of forest vertebrate species. For 20 cavity-nesting bird and six cavity-nesting mammal species, representing excavators and secondary cavity nesters, we measured nest-cavity and nest-tree characteristics over 8 years in Interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest ecosystems. There was overwhelming selection for quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides); 95% of 1692 cavity nests were in aspen, which comprised only 15% of trees available. The full range of live and dead trees were used, but we observed a strong preference for live trees with decay (45% of nests) or dead trees (45% of nests). A cluster analysis based on tree and cavity characteristics divided the community into five groups, including large- and medium-sized woodpeckers and a group comprised mostly of weak excavators. A fourth group included Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus), the most abundant excavator, and the larger secondary cavity nesters. The final group contained the most aggressive and most abundant secondary cavity nesters. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), the most aggressive secondary cavity nester, occupied a narrower nest niche (in less-decayed trees with smaller entrances) relative to their size. Less-competitive excavators and secondary cavity nesters occupied wider nest niches in terms of tree decay class and cavity size. We constructed a nest web for community structure that showed most cavity resource use flowed up the community through aspen trees and cavities excavated by Northern Flickers. Thus, aspen was the critical nesting tree and Northern Flickers were the keystone excavators in this community. Sitios de Nidificación y Redes de Nidos en Comunidades que Nidifican en Cavidades en el Interior de British Columbia, Canadá: Características de los Nidos y Separación de Nichos Resumen. Los bosques mixtos del interior de British Columbia, Canadá, albergan una rica comunidad de animales que nidifican en cavidades, los cuales representan aproximadamente un tercio de las especies de vertebrados de bosque. En este estudio medimos características de las cavidades y de los árboles de nidificación para 20 especies de aves y seis de mamíferos que nidifican en cavidades (incluyendo especies excavadoras y las que utilizan cavidades secundariamente) a lo largo de ocho años en ecosistemas de bosque interior de Pseudotsuga menziesii. Hubo una selección abrumadora de árboles de la especie Populus tremuloides; el 95% de 1692 cavidades de nidificación se encontraron en árboles de esta especie, la cual comprendía sólo el 15% de los árboles disponibles. Todo el espectro de árboles vivos y muertos fue utilizado, pero observamos una preferencia fuerte por árboles vivos con descomposición (45% de los nidos) o árboles muertos (45% de los nidos). Un análisis de agrupamiento basado en características de los árboles y las cavidades dividió la comunidad en cinco grupos, incluyendo carpinteros de tamaño grande y mediano, y un grupo formado principalmente por excavadores débiles. Un cuarto grupo incluyó al carpintero Colaptes auratus (el excavador más abundante) y a las especies de mayor tamaño que nidifican en cavidades secundarias. El último grupo incluyó a las especies más abundantes y agresivas que nidifican en cavidades secundarias. El estornino Sturnus vulgaris, la especie más agresiva que nidifica en cavidades secundarias, ocupó un nicho más estrecho (árboles menos descompuestos con entradas más pequeñas) con relación a su tamaño. Los excavadores menos competitivos y los usuarios de cavidades secundarias ocuparon nichos de nidificación más amplios en términos de la categoría de descomposición de los árboles y el tamaño de la cavidad. Construimos una red de nidos para estudiar la estructura de la comunidad, la cual mostró que la mayor parte del uso de las cavidades como recurso fluye en la comunidad a través de los árboles de P. tremuloides y las cavidades excavadas por C. auratus. Por lo tanto, P. tremuloides fue el árbol de nidificación crítico y C. auratus fue la especie de excavador clave en esta comunidad.

Nest tree use by primary cavity-nesting birds in south central British Columbia

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1067-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alton S. Harestad ◽  
Dagmar G. Keisker
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Diameter At Breast Height ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
South Central ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Picoides Pubescens ◽  
Colaptes Auratus

Heartwood decay was the most important factor in nest tree selection by primary cavity-nesting birds in the Interior Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic Zone of British Columbia. Of 243 active nests, most were in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and hybrid spruce (Picea engelmannii × glauca) were not used for nesting. Strong excavators (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)) preferred to nest in live trembling aspen with heartwood decay. Weak excavators (Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), and Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)) preferred to nest in dead trees or dead tops of live trees. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker preferred to nest in trees larger than 30 cm diameter at breast height, and Pileated Woodpecker preferred trees larger than 40 cm diameter at breast height. No significant preference for nest tree diameter was detected for other species.

Nest cavity availability and selection in aspen–conifer groves in a grassland landscape

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 2099-2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn EH Aitken ◽  
Kathy Martin
Keyword(s):  
Resource Selection ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Cavity Tree ◽  
Colaptes Auratus ◽  
Mountain Bluebirds

Cavity-nesting vertebrates, a significant component of forest wildlife communities, are connected ecologically in nest webs arranged in guilds of cavity producers (strong and weak excavators) and cavity consumers. The availability of tree cavities for nesting and roosting is considered critical to maintaining communities of cavity nesters. Using univariate tests and resource selection indices, we examined nesting use of both natural and excavated cavities in small aspen–conifer groves of interior British Columbia in relation to availability of cavity, tree, and habitat features. In a 2-year study, we monitored 197 cavities for use, 8% of which were lost between years. Of those that survived, 26% were occupied in both years, 29% were used in only one year, and 45% were not used in either year. Occupied cavities were larger internally than those not occupied in either year and were more likely to be in trees with only one cavity. In species-level resource selection analyses, tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor Vieillot), European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris L.), and chickadees (Poecile spp.) used live, heart rot infected trees more than expected from their proportional abundance and used dead trees less than expected, while northern flickers (Colaptes auratus L.), mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides Bechstein), and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Erxleben) used live and dead trees in proportion to their availability. Managed, open landscapes with small mixed or deciduous forest groves can sustain healthy communities of cavity nesters, if there is a range of suitable trees for excavators and open areas for foraging.

scholarly journals Composition of Cavity-Nesting Bird Communities in Montane Aspen Woodland Fragments: The Roles of Landscape Context and Forest Structure

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 890-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua J. Lawler ◽  
Thomas C. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Landscape Context ◽  
Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽  
Northern Flying Squirrel ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Structure Tree ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

Abstract We compared cavity-nesting bird communities in aspen (Populus tremuloides) woodland fragments classified on the basis of vegetation structure (tree density) and landscape context (surrounding vegetation). We found very few cavity nesters in fragments predominantly surrounded by forests. Fragments adjacent to meadows contained more species and a greater abundance of cavity nesters. Species richness and abundance were higher in sparsely than in densely treed meadow fragments. Because secondary cavity nesters are often limited by cavity availability, we augmented natural cavities with nest boxes. Although only five boxes contained bird nests, these were all in sparse aspen fragments predominantly surrounded by meadows. However, we found 25 northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) nests in boxes, none of which were in sparse meadow fragments. In addition to highlighting the importance of landscape context in avian and mammalian habitat relationships, our results suggest that predator or competitor interactions may help structure this cavity-nester community. Composición de las Comunidades de Aves que Nidifican en Cavidades en los Fragmentos de Bosque Montano de Álamo: El Papel del Contexto del Paisaje y la Estructura del Bosque Resumen. Comparamos comunidades de aves que nidifican en cavidades en fragmentos de bosque de álamo (Populus tremuloides) clasificados en base a la estructura de la vegetación (densidad de árboles) y al contexto del paisaje (vegetación circundante). Encontramos muy pocas aves que nidifican en cavidades en los fragmentos rodeados predominantemente por bosque. Los fragmentos adyacentes a prados presentaron más especies y mayor abundancia de aves. La riqueza y la abundancia de especies fueron mayores en fragmentos con baja densidad de árboles que estuvieron rodeados por prados. Debido a que las aves que nidifican en cavidades secundarias están a menudo limitadas por la disponibilidad de cavidades, aumentamos las cavidades naturales con cajas de anidaje. Aunque solamente cinco cajas contuvieron nidos de aves, éstas estuvieron todas en los fragmentos con baja densidad de álamos rodeados predominantemente por prados. Sin embargo, encontramos 25 nidos de ardillas voladoras norteñas (Glaucomys sabrinus) en las cajas de anidaje, de las cuales ninguna estuvo en fragmentos con baja densidad de árboles rodeados por prado. Nuestros resultados destacan la importancia del contexto del paisaje en las relaciones entre el hábitat y las aves y mamíferos, y sugieren que las interacciones con depredadores o competidores pueden influenciar la estructura de la comunidades de aves que anidan en cavidades.

Ectomycorrhizal colonization of greenhouse-grown Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings by inoculum associated with the roots of refuge plants sampled from a Douglas-fir forest in the southern interior of British Columbia

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon M Hagerman ◽  
Daniel M Durall
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Inoculum Potential ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
Salix Bebbiana ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Morphotypes

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were grown in the greenhouse in a sterilized mixture of forest soil and vermiculite, which had been inoculated with root fragments from one of six different ectomycorrhizal under story plant species (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng, P. menziessi, Salix bebbiana Bebb, Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata (Regel) Ä. Löve & and D. Löve (alder), Betula papyrifera Marsh. (paper birch), Populus tremuloides Michx.) and arbuscular mycorrhizal Calamagrostis rubescens Buckl. (pinegrass) sampled from a dry Douglas-fir forest in the southern interior of British Columbia. The overall objective of the present study was to investigate the inoculum potential of these ectomycorrhizal roots for colonizing Douglas-fir seedlings. A total of seven ectomycorrhizal morphotypes formed on the bioassay seedlings, which were colonized by all treatments except the control. Seedlings growing in soil inoculated with root fragments of Douglas-fir, Arctostaphylos, and paper birch had greater ectomycorrhizal richness and a higher percentage of colonized fine roots relative to the pinegrass and alder treatments. The community of ectomycorrhizal fungi that colonized the bioassay seedlings differed from that associated with some of the same refuge plants assessed in a previously reported field-based study at this site. Different ectomy corrhizal fungal colonization strategies and the retention of refuge plants are discussed in relation to the colonization of outplanted seedlings following clearcutting.Key words: ectomycorrhizae, refuge plants, inoculum potential, soil bioassay, Pseudotsuga menziesii.

scholarly journals Nest-Site Reuse Patterns for a Cavity-Nesting Bird Community in Interior British Columbia

The Auk ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E H. Aitken ◽  
K. L. Wiebe ◽  
K. Martin
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Nest Cavity ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Managed Landscapes ◽  
Nest Site Limitation ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Most obligate cavity-nesting birds are considered to be nest-site limited, either by time or energy to excavate or to acquire suitable holes for nesting. We examined rates of nest-cavity reuse for a rich community of cavity-nesting birds in mixed forests in interior British Columbia. Using a sample of 402 cavity-reuse cases over five years, we measured cavity reuse for 20 cavity-nesting bird and mammal species (three guilds), and examined the relationship between nest-cavity reuse and features of cavities, nest trees, and forest stands. Eight percent of used cavities were destroyed between years. Reuse rates were 17% for the cavities of weak excavators such as nuthatches and chickadees, 28% for formerly active woodpecker nests, and 48% for cavities previously used by secondary cavity nesting birds, but there was considerable species variation within all guilds. Nest cavities in aspen that were deep with large entrances had the highest reuse. At the forest stand level, cavities in trees close to edges and in sites with more edge habitat had greater reuse. Reused cavities tended to be occupied in sequential years rather than being inactive for a year. With increasing amounts of managed landscapes, availability of suitable cavities for forest nesting vertebrates is decreasing. Reuse of existing cavities might help mitigate the problem of nest-site limitation.

Small mammals in nests of cavity-nesting birds: Why should ornithologists study rodents?

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Czeszczewik ◽  
W. Walankiewicz ◽  
M. Stańska
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Yellow Necked Mouse

We analyze the frequency of occurrence of small mammals recorded in natural cavities and nest boxes in the Białowieża Forest (eastern Poland) and also describe some parameters of tree cavities. A total of 748 cavities and 60 nest boxes in primeval tree stands and 190 nest boxes in managed tree stands were monitored. Both cavities and nest boxes in primeval stands were occupied by mammals less often than nest boxes in managed stands (0.70%, 0.12%, and 1.26%, respectively). The following mammal species were recorded in natural cavities: Eurasian red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris L., 1758), forest dormouse ( Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1778)), yellow-necked mouse ( Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834)), and bats (Microchiroptera species). Three mammalian species were recorded in nest boxes: forest dormouse, fat dormouse ( Myoxus glis (L., 1766)), and yellow-necked mouse. The attractiveness of the boxes for mammals increases in managed forests, probably because of a shortage of natural cavities. We suggest that the role of rodents in the breeding ecology of cavity-nesters is underestimated, since studies on natural cavities are rather rare and the species identities of nest predators are most likely poorly recognized. To understand the breeding ecology of birds, ornithologists should study the population dynamics of mammals and the manner in which they use tree cavities and nest boxes.

Douglas-fir Tussock Moth Damage in British Columbia

1987 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 351-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. I. Alfaro ◽  
E. Wegwitz ◽  
R. G. Brown ◽  
S. P. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Cumulative Mortality ◽  
Tussock Moth ◽  
Orgyia Pseudotsugata ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
The Dead

The Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata McDunnough) defoliated Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var glauca [Beissn.] Franco), in British Columbia from 1981 to 1983. Forty-five defoliated and 16 non-defoliated (check) plots were monitored for defoliation and damage from 1982 to 1985. By 1985, cumulative mortality and top-kill in the defoliated plots averaged 51% (49% by volume) and 11%, respectively. Check plots sustained no mortality and less than 1% top-kill due to causes other than tussock moth defoliation. Mortality occurred very early in the outbreak, with 56% of the dead trees already dead by 1982, generally after 1 year, but at most after 2 years of defoliation. Mortality and top-kill were related to the number of seasons of defoliation and, particularly, to defoliation intensity. It was concluded that Douglas-fir tussock moth is an important depletion factor of Douglas-fir in British Columbia.

Reproductive success of cavity-nesting birds in partially harvested woodlots

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 1004-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Straus ◽  
Kata Bavrlic ◽  
Erica Nol ◽  
Dawn M. Burke ◽  
Ken A. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Daily Survival ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Partial Harvesting ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Picoides Pubescens ◽  
Cavity Tree ◽  
Colaptes Auratus

Cavity-nesting birds are dependent on large declining and dead trees that are frequently removed during partial harvesting. We compared breeding densities, nest survival, nest site characteristics, food abundance, and reproductive parameters of six species of cavity-nesting birds in partially harvested and reference woodlots in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Silvicultural practices significantly altered woodlot structure, with treatment-specific effects on bark arthropod biomass, fledging dates for the Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758)), and site suitability for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus varius (Linnaeus, 1766)). Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker ( Picoides pubescens (Linnaeus, 1766)), and Hairy Woodpecker ( Picoides villosus (Linnaeus, 1766)) experienced lower breeding densities in recently cut sites. Daily survival rates were generally greater for nests positioned higher up in large trees and for Northern Flicker ( Colaptes auratus (Linnaeus, 1758)) nests excavated in healthy and hard wood. Conversely, the Black-capped Chickadee ( Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766)) had higher daily survival rates in low, small trees (<10 cm diameter at breast height) and sites with lower arthropod abundance. We conclude that although partial harvesting has the potential to decrease cavity-nesting bird breeding densities, conscientious cavity tree retention during harvest may provide suitable nesting sites that maintain high rates of nest success, regardless of the silvicultural treatments that we examined. However, further research is required to monitor these trends beyond a single harvesting rotation.

scholarly journals Use of Artificially Created Douglas-Fir Snags by Cavity-Nesting Birds

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol L. Chambers ◽  
Tara Carrigan ◽  
Thomas E. Sabin ◽  
John Tappeiner ◽  
William C. McComb
Keyword(s):  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Small Patch ◽  
Important Resource ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Hardwood Species

Abstract In western Oregon, we created snags by sawing tops off live Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) (n = 821) trees and monitored their condition and use by cavity-nesting birds. We created snags in three silvicultural treatments: modified clearcut stands, two-story stands, and small-patchgroup-selection stands. We used two snag patterns: clumped and scattered. Created snags averaged 3.8/ha in density, 17 m in height, and 75 cm in diameter. Chainsaw-topped snags were used by cavity nesters within 5 yr of creation. Abundance of excavated cavities increased in all silvicultural treatments (P = 0.0001) and was higher in two-story and clearcut stands than in small-patch stands (P ≤ 0.0004). We did not, however, find that snag pattern (clumped v. scattered) affected use by cavity-nesting birds based on abundance of excavated cavities (P > 0.6). We observed excavated cavities in five hardwood species indicating that hardwoods represented an important resource for cavity-nesting birds. Creating conifer snags by topping and retaining hardwoods may retain or increase populations of cavity nesters in areas with low natural snag density. West. J. Appl. For. 12(3):93-97.

Cylindrocarpon and Fusarium root colonization of Douglas-fir seedlings from British Columbia reforestation sites

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1198-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige E Axelrood ◽  
William K Chapman ◽  
Keith A Seifert ◽  
David B Trotter ◽  
Gwen Shrimpton
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Root Colonization ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Root Infection ◽  
Significant Linear Trend ◽  
Conifer Seedlings ◽  
Cylindrocarpon Destructans

Poor performance of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) plantations established in 1987 has occurred in southwestern British Columbia. Affected sites were planted with 1-year-old container stock that exhibited some root dieback in the nursery. A study was initiated in 1991 to assess Cylindrocarpon and Fusarium root infection in planted and naturally regenerating (natural) Douglas-fir seedlings from seven affected plantations. Percentages of seedlings harboring Cylindrocarpon spp.and percent root colonization were significantly greater for planted seedlings compared with natural seedlings. A significant linear trend in Cylindrocarpon root colonization was observed for planted seedlings with colonization levels being highest for roots closest to the remnants of the root plug and decreasing at distances greater than 10cm from that region. This trend in Cylindrocarpon colonization was not observed for natural seedlings. Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zins.) Scholten var. destructans and C.cylindroides Wollenw. var. cylindroides were the only species isolated from planted and natural conifer seedlings. For most sites, percentage of seedlings harboring Fusarium spp.and percent Fusarium root colonization were less than for Cylindrocarpon. Recovery of Fusarium spp.from seedlings and root colonization levels were not significantly different for planted and natural seedlings from all sites.

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