Long-term response of boreal forest bird community to changes in habitat structure and configuration due to forestry and other land uses

Long-term effects of forest harvest and other land uses on boreal forest birds are unknown, because most studies of forestry practices on boreal birds occur over short periods, while effects of habitat fragmentation may be realized over longer periods and affected by climate change. I will analyze >20 years of forestry treatment and bird abundance data from Alberta forest sites that were revisited yearly to survey birds, and use results from these analyses to predict bird abundance within future land use scenarios created by timber supply and land use simulation software. These analyses will help me to predict how boreal birds respond to long-term changes in forest structure, area, and configuration, and will enable the Mitacs partner (Al-Pac) to create long-term plans balancing timber and pulp supply with conservation needs of boreal forest birds and other wildlife like caribou.

Faculty Supervisor:

Erin Bayne

Student:

Lionel Leston

Partner:

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Oil and gas

University:

University of Alberta