Simulated cavity tree dynamics under alternative timber harvest regimes

Abstract

We modeled cavity tree abundance on a landscape as a function of forest stand age classes and as a function of aggregate stand size classes. We explored the impact of five timber harvest regimes on cavity tree abundance on a 3261 ha landscape in southeast Missouri, USA, by linking the stand level cavity tree distribution model to the landscape age structure simulated by the LANDIS model. Over 100 years, mean cavity tree density increased constantly under all timber harvest regimes except for even-aged intensive management. This was due in large part to the continued maturation of the numerous stands that were >70 years old at the start of the simulations. However, compared to the no harvest (control) regime, the uneven-aged, the mixed, the even-aged long rotation, and the even-aged intensive harvest regimes reduced the cavity tree density by 9–11, 11–13, 15–18, and 28–34%, respectively, as more old stands were cut. Forest managers and planners can use this information to evaluate the practical consequences of alternative timber harvest regimes and consider the need for activities such as cavity tree retention.