Using occupancy modelling and community analysis to determine the habitat requirements of Eastern North American songbirds in an intensively managed forest.

Abstract

Forest management often causes changes to forest ecosystems, which can alter habitat use by avian species. Even with modern forestry practices which attempt to simulate natural disturbances, many avian species are still experiencing population declines in the Maritime provinces because of habitat alterations. Black Brook district in North Western New Brunswick is an intensively managed forest where over 90 recorded bird species reside. My project focused on modelling which forest variables in the Black Brook district forest affect the occupancy of four resident bird species, Certhia Americana, Cardellina canadensis, Contopus cooperi, and Seiurus aurocapilla. I also measured the influence of these forest variables on turnover in the broader avian community. All four focal species had unique habitat requirements, and turnover analysis suggested that the community also changed dramatically among different habitats. These patterns suggest that to maximize habitat for all avian species managed forests should work to create heterogenous landscapes.