Abstract

We previously investigated the responses of forest birds to habitat changes 1–7years post-harvest in three northern Ontario tolerant hardwood forest stands cut under the selection system. The same three cut blocks and a control area were re-sampled in 2009, 10–12years post-harvest, to compare community composition, total and species abundances and species richness. We found that the breeding bird communities of the selection cut blocks had not fully recovered 10–12years post-harvest. Veery, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart and Mourning Warbler numbers were elevated in all three cut blocks, and White-throated Sparrow numbers were elevated in two of the three cut blocks, 10–12years post-harvest. In contrast, Ovenbird numbers remained depressed in two cut blocks 10–12years post-harvest. Overall, species richness remained high in all three cut blocks, even though total abundance declined. The data suggest that repeated applications of selection cutting could have long-term, cumulative effects on forest bird communities.

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