In my research project, I hypothesized that nest cavity density will significantly increase along with increasing successional stages, ranging from early to late.
My study area encompassed areas that were historically impacted by forest harvesting and silviculture practices/treatments, which have altered the natural succession of the ecosystem. Forest harvesting practices such as clear-cutting happen at a relatively high frequency (depending on merchantable size timber; 40 – 80 years), and this has implications for the persistence of mature to old growth trees and snags. This is in contrast to a natural disturbance mechanism like wildfire, where many standing dead trees (snags) persist and provide wildlife habitat value post disturbance (Irwin et al, 2018).
Availability of nesting cavities is critical for many wildlife species (Freedman, et al., 2015). Tree cavities are associated with biotic factors such as site moisture, tree decay class trees and abundance of primary and secondary cavity excavating species which are “keystone ecosystem architects (Martin, Aitkin, & Weibe, 2004). Persistence of standing dead trees within forests is crucial provide these key habitat features for species and their life stages.
My research project is strongly tied to the ecological concepts of “keystone” habitat features, impacts of disturbance, resilience, and succession. It is aimed towards protecting species at a landscape level by revealing how stand characteristics connect to cavity tree availability and ultimately support biodiversity and resilience of species.
The project is guided by the principles of forest ecology and examines how disturbance shapes population, community, and structural changes in ecosystems – whether they are natural and/or anthropogenically caused. In recognizing the critical role of decay class trees and the value of maintaining natural successional dynamics, I hope to learn how resource companies and individuals can mitigate cavity tree loss and the cascade of effects caused by their absence. Another ecological principle I wish to explore is the interconnectedness of cavity trees and nest characteristics with the flow or web of species in the forest community. There are complex connections between the community structure (species & niches exploited) and the structural dynamics within forest systems which seem to exist in somewhat of a feedback loop.
Keywords of my research project are:
- Forest Biodiversity
- Disturbance succession
- Keystone habitat features
CITATIONS
Freedman, B., Hutchings, J., Gwynne, D., Smol, J., Suffling, R., Turkington, R., . . . Bazely, D. (2015). Ecology: A Canadian Context (Second Edition ed.). USA: Nelson Education.
Martin, K., Aitkin, K., & Wiebe, K. (2024, Feb 1). Nest Sites and Nest Webs for Cavity-Nesting Communities in Interior British Columbia, Canada: Nest Characteristics and Niche Partitioning. The Condor, 106(1), 5-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/106.1.5