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

Methods

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

Results—Ecological Needs

• Nest sites– Need dead or dying trees (excavators)– Trees with holes existing holes (non-excavators)

Results—Ecological Needs

• Forest Composition– Age of trees

• Old trees = natural decay; soft to excavate holes

– Cover• Moderate cover is ideal

Results—Fire

• Rx is good when done under the right conditions

• Catastrophic wildfire negative impacts for CNB

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.

• 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??

• 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

• 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.

• Thanks to Dr. Mannan for suggesting journal articles.