Harvard Forest On-Going Research Projects

Harvard Forest Research

Early Successional Habitat Dynamics in Former Plantations

Principal Investigator: Robert Brooks
USDA Forest Service: May 01 2007 - Jul 01 2011:

Abstract:
Early-successional forest (ESF) habitat is a declining resource in the northeastern United States. This loss has resulted in the decline of wildlife species adapted to this structurally unique habitat. The creation of ESF habitat, by the removal of red pine (Pinus resinosa) plantations, offers the opportunity to monitor the colonization and use of this newly created habitat by wildlife. Changes in wildlife use as the habitat matures can be followed by long-term monitoring. The range in size (area) of the created ESF habitat blocks allows for the assessment of the effects patch size on habitat use. The goal of the proposed research is to assess the effects of patch size on the use and/or rate of colonization of early-successional forest patches by terrestrial salamanders, bats, and moths, to compare these changes to uncut plantations and to uncut, native forest (Control), and to monitor changes as the ESF habitat matures.

Terrestrial amphibians: The predominant terrestrial salamander in the northeast is the northern red-backed salamander (ERBS; Plethodon cinereus). The rate of colonization of newly created early-successional forests patches by ERBS will be assessed using cover board arrays, located at fixed distances (e.g., 10-20 m) from the patch edge to the patch center. Cover board arrays will also be located in uncut red pine plantations to assess change from the pre-harvest condition and in uncut native forest for comparison.

Bats: Bat activity among species is categorized by those that are clutter adapted and open habitat specialists. In the northeast, clutter-adapted are typically smaller bodied, Myotis species; open habitat foragers are larger bodied, and, in central Massachusetts, most frequently big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Bat activity will be monitored in all habitat treatments using active, acoustical (AnaBat) surveys. The creation of open, ESF habitat should result in the increased occurrence of open habitat species; however the effect of patch size on this response is unknown.

Moths: The occurrence, abundance, and composition of non-pest moths in southern New England forests are mostly unknown, as are the effects of change in forest composition and structure and of patch size. Moth composition in all habitat conditions will be monitored by the use of black-light traps.
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	Harvard Forest Research Early Successional Habitat Dynamics in Former Plantations Principal Investigator: Robert Brooks USDA Forest Service: May 01 2007 - Jul 01 2011: Abstract: Early-successional forest (ESF) habitat is a declining resource in the northeastern United States. This loss has resulted in the decline of wildlife species adapted to this structurally unique habitat. The creation of ESF habitat, by the removal of red pine (Pinus resinosa) plantations, offers the opportunity to monitor the colonization and use of this newly created habitat by wildlife. Changes in wildlife use as the habitat matures can be followed by long-term monitoring. The range in size (area) of the created ESF habitat blocks allows for the assessment of the effects patch size on habitat use. The goal of the proposed research is to assess the effects of patch size on the use and/or rate of colonization of early-successional forest patches by terrestrial salamanders, bats, and moths, to compare these changes to uncut plantations and to uncut, native forest (Control), and to monitor changes as the ESF habitat matures. Terrestrial amphibians: The predominant terrestrial salamander in the northeast is the northern red-backed salamander (ERBS; Plethodon cinereus). The rate of colonization of newly created early-successional forests patches by ERBS will be assessed using cover board arrays, located at fixed distances (e.g., 10-20 m) from the patch edge to the patch center. Cover board arrays will also be located in uncut red pine plantations to assess change from the pre-harvest condition and in uncut native forest for comparison. Bats: Bat activity among species is categorized by those that are clutter adapted and open habitat specialists. In the northeast, clutter-adapted are typically smaller bodied, Myotis species; open habitat foragers are larger bodied, and, in central Massachusetts, most frequently big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Bat activity will be monitored in all habitat treatments using active, acoustical (AnaBat) surveys. The creation of open, ESF habitat should result in the increased occurrence of open habitat species; however the effect of patch size on this response is unknown. Moths: The occurrence, abundance, and composition of non-pest moths in southern New England forests are mostly unknown, as are the effects of change in forest composition and structure and of patch size. Moth composition in all habitat conditions will be monitored by the use of black-light traps. :
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