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Ecological forestry, old growth, and birds in the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Renewed awareness of the longleaf-pine ecosystem and a legal mandate to provide suitable habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) have generated interest in alternative forms of silviculture in the southeastern United States. Of 110-120 species of birds that occur in longleaf pine woodlands, 26 species (including three that are federally ranked) require special management attention. Over 80% of the extant ecosystem occurs on government-owned or privately-owned nonindustrial property, and constitutes potential sites for ecological forestry. Intensive forest management eliminates much of the structural complexity of old-growth longleaf pine woodlands that supports high avian community species richness. Two silvicultural systems that are candidates for a more ecological approach - irregular shelterwood and uneven-aged management - retain structural characteristics of old-growth forests, but more research is needed to contrast their relative effects on bird populations. Retention or development of old-growth characteristics - old trees, horizontal heterogeneity and openness, ground-cover integrity, sparse distribution of hardwoods, and coarse woody debris, including snags would reintroduce valuable complexity within the longleaf pine ecosystem for supporting avian communities of higher species richness.

Keywords

ecological forestry, fire, forest birds, old-growth, Southeast United States

Citation

Engstrom, R. Todd; Conner, Richard N. 2006. Ecological forestry, old growth, and birds in the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem. Acta Zoalogica Sinica, Vol. 52: 697-701
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/31431