Incidence of Spruce Grouse in Residual Forest Strips within Large Clear-cut Boreal Forest Landscapes

Abstract

Falcipennis canadensis (Spruce Grouse) are a habitat specialist of coniferous forest in North America and typically have large home ranges (≈ 25 ha, range = 22–75 ha). Although this species is sensitive to logging, few studies report abundance and population trends in relation to habitat loss and fragmentation. In early May of 1997 to 1999, we surveyed Spruce Grouse in 21 riparian and 27 upland residual forest strips (width = 51–132 m) located within six clear-cut landscapes (23–256 km2) of southcentral Québec, Canada. We also surveyed five control sites in uncut continuous forest surrounding one landscape. Contrary to our prediction that Spruce Grouse would not be observed from such narrow strips, they were detected in 24 of the 48 strips. Both types of strips had similar occurrence rates and abundance indices (2.01 ± 0.46 [SE] males/10 stations in riparian strips, 1.29 ± 0.35 males/10 stations in upland strips). Because of the age of adjacent cuts (mean = 4.2 years, range = 2–8 years), crowding of grouse that were present at logging time into forest strips does not adequately explain the numbers of Spruce Grouse in these structures. Therefore, we conclude that Spruce Grouse observed in forest strips have either immigrated from outside or were local recruits. Despite persistence of Spruce Grouse in residual forests of logged landscapes, we suggest a cautious approach to forest management since the species' long-term persistence could be jeopardized if residual forest strips are harvested.