The effect of timber stand improvement practices on the abundance of Pileated Woodpeckers

Abstract only availableThe Pileated Woodpecker (Drycopulus pileatus) is a large woodpecker that requires large dead trees within a mature forest. I investigated how forest management practices affect the Pileated Woodpecker. Timber stand improvement (TSI) is the practice of girdling live trees to allow adjacent trees more space and light in which to grow. Areas treated with TSI have more dead snags which may be used by pileated woodpeckers. I surveyed total snag abundance and woodpecker density in these TSI areas compared to unmanaged (control) areas to determine the effect of TSI on Pileated Woodpeckers.Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Projec

On the road again: Corridor effects on nesting passerines in Missouri forests [abstract]

Abstract only availableRoads and other linear corridors may have profound ecological consequences. Direct mortality of adult birds by vehicle collisions is well documented, but increased nest predation along road corridors has not been shown in passerines. I tested the hypothesis that nests proximal to unimproved roads (<10 m) suffer greater nest predation than those further from roads (11+ m) due to a predator-corridor effect. Nests from four sites in Missouri were found, monitored, and filmed during the spring and summer of 2007. Roadside shrub-nesting passerines did not experience significantly lower nest success than those nesting far from roads. Acadian Flycatchers experienced significantly higher nest success than did birds of the shrub-nesting guild as a whole. Initial predator identifications are presented

Effect of clearcutting on the habitat within the clearcut and the surrounding forest and its relationship to the presence of wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in the Current River Conservation Area

Abstract only availableWood thrush were one of the few species of forest birds that increased in density on sites that received even-aged management as part of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP). One hypothesis is that this may be caused by shifts in vegetation structure, leaf litter production, and relative moisture level between regenerating clearcuts and the surrounding forest. I compared these habitat characteristics for five clearcuts in the Current River Conservation Area. Three clearcuts had adjacent wood thrush territories and two did not. For each clearcut, 5-meter radius vegetation plots were established at six randomly selected points—two within the clearcut, two at a distance of 30 meters from the clearcut's edge, and two at a distance of 60 meters. Habitat characteristics tested at each plot include average leaf litter depth, stem size distributions, horizontal foliar density, percent coverage by five types of ground cover, and relative soil moisture. These parameters serve as a basis of comparison between the clearcuts with and without wood thrushes to indicate what kind of habitat is preferred by these birds when breeding.Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Projec

The effects of even-aged cutting on density and pairing success of Worm-eating Warblers

Abstract only availableIt is important for researchers to be aware of how timber management practices affect songbird populations. Certain forest management techniques can cause declines in breeding habitat of Neotropical migrant songbirds that require mature forest. The worm-eating warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) is a common mature forest-dwelling species that may experience a decline in density due to habitat alterations such as clear cutting and selection cutting. As regeneration of the clear cuts occurs, mature forest-dwelling species may be able to utilize these areas as suitable habitat. This summer was the first year that worm-eating warblers settled on the 8 year old clear cuts on the sites of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project. We compared the relative abundance of worm-eating warblers that inhabited even-aged sites with those that inhabited control sites by using point counts of each site. In order to determine pairing success, we followed a singing male until the bird was seen interacting with a female or for 90 minutes if no interaction was seen. We hypothesized that the worm-eating warblers will have lower pairing success on even-aged sites (clear cuts) than control sites. We also hypothesized that the densities of worm-eating warblers would be the highest on the control sites and the lowest on the uneven-aged (selection cuts) sites, with the density of the even-aged sites falling slightly below that of the control sites.Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Projec

Population trends of forest birds in Missouri, USA: Comparison of point count data with predictions from the BBS [abstract]

Abstract only availableLong-term population size trends of Neotropical migrants and other forest birds are of primary concern for conservation biologists. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has become an important tool for biologists in estimating population trends, but because surveys are conducted only along roads, its utility for forest interior species may be limited. We analyzed a long term (1991-2006) point count data set from the interior of three forested sites in central Missouri and compared our trend estimates to BBS trends for the state of Missouri. Using a mixed model analysis of variance with year as a fixed effect and point as a random effect, we generated trend estimates for thirteen species. Results/Conclusions Five species (38%) exhibited statistically significant negative trends indicating species decline, four species (31%) exhibited positive trends indicating that populations increased, three species (23%) exhibited no significant trend, and data from one species did not adequately fit the model. Of the nine species with significant trends in our point count data, seven (78%) had trends that were qualitatively similar to those generated from BBS data. However, for both of the species with contrasting trends, model predictions were strongly different. Our results suggest that the accuracy of BBS trends for forest interior birds may be species specific. We hope to strengthen our conclusions by incorporating point count data from other field sites and by controlling for observer effects in future analyses.NSF Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biolog

What nest condition tells us about predators and nest success for birds [abstract]

Abstract only availableSince the 1990's scientists have become concerned about the declining population of migratory birds. A reduction in available habitat in wintering grounds and stop-over sites during migration may contribute to the decline in migratory bird populations. Another hypothesis for this decline in population is overwhelming nest predation on breeding grounds. This may be due to forest fragmentation which increases depredation of nests. Even though we understand why landscapes affect the bird population, knowledge of what types of predators are affected by fragmentation would determine how to manage land effectively. In this study, I test the hypothesis that nest condition would predict predator types by the amount of damage caused to the nest. To do this I found and monitored nests in Missouri and took pictures from different angles. I then set up video cameras to monitor the nest continuously. Once a nest failed, I took pictures to compare to the earlier ones. I will be scoring nests based on categories 0-3, which are based on the percentage change in nest condition from original photos