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- Info
Contributions of intensively managed forests to the sustainability of wildlife communities in the south
| Author: |
Wigley, T.B.; Baughman, W.M.; Dorcas, M.E.; [and others]. |
| Date: |
2000 |
| Link: |
http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/sustain/conf/ppr/
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| Abstract: |
Wildlife communities in the South are increasingly influenced by land use changes associated with human population growth and changes in forest management strategies on both public and private lands. Management of industry-owned landscaped typically result in a diverse mixture of habitat types and spatial arrangements that simultaneously offers opportunities to maintain forest cover, address concerns about fragmentation, and provide habitats for a variety of wildlife species. We report here on several recent studies of breeding bird and herpetofaunal communities in industry-managed landscapes in South Carolina. Study landscapes included the 8,100-ha GilesBay/Woodbury Tract, owned and managed by International Paper Company, and 62,363-ha of the Ashley and Edisto Districts, owned and managed by Westvaco Corporation. Breeding birds were sampled in both landscaped from 1995-1999 using point counts, mist netting, nest searching, and territory mapping. A broad survey of herpetofaunal was conducted during 1996-1998 across the GilesBay/Woodbury Tract using a variety of methods, including: searches of natural cover objects, time-constrained searches, drift fences with pitfall traps, coverboards, automated recording systems, minnow traps, and turtle traps. Herpetofaunal communities were sampled more intensively in both landscapes during 1997-1999 in isolated wetland and selected structural classes. The study landscapes supported approximately 70 bird and 72 herpetofaunal species, some of which are of conservation concern. Habitat structure at both the stand and landscape scale had an important influence on relative abundance of many bird species, while many herpetofaunal species were associated with isolated wetlands. Pine plantation and other habitats within the landscape appeared to act as population sources for some Neotropical migratory birds. In general, industry-managed forests can provide important habitats for many species and opportunities to consider landscape design, and thereby contribute to sustaining wildlife communities in the South. |
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