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Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2009
- Title: Urbanization and Nest-Site Preference of Two Cavity Nesting Bird Species: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) and Red Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
- Author: Bryant C Dossman (Bowdoin College)
- Abstract:
Populations of cavity nesting bird species, like the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Red-bellied Woodpecker, tend to be highly affected by urbanization through the increased removal of snags and deadwood in more urban environments. In order to provide adequate tree care guidelines, we undertook an investigation into the nest-site preferences of these birds to ensure that proper removal of deadwood from urban environments can be done in an efficient manner in which not to negatively impact these woodpecker populations. Five nest trees were identified for each species and plots were set up with a 25-meter radius around the nest tree. An additional five plots were setup, where possible nest trees were selected and plots of the same size were setup around the possible nest tree. With in these plots arthropod abundance was measured by use of arboreal pitfall traps. Vegetation sampling within these plots consisted of identification of each tree to species and measurement of percent dead and tree diameter (dbh). Total percent canopy cover and ground cover in the plots were also measured. It was determined that there were significant differences between nest-sites of these two species. At the plot level analysis, arthropod abundance, percent dead wood, and tree size structure we significantly different between the two species. We also determined that at the landscape level, both urbanization and elevation had a significant influence on distinguishing the nest-sites between the two species. These differences lead me to suspect that competition over nesting habitat is unlikely because they do not seem to share a common resource. However, due to a strong inverse correlation more research is needed in order to distinguish the effects of urbanization from elevation in order to determine the affect those landscape level characteristics have on woodpecker population dynamics and nest-site preferences. I would also suggest that due to these findings that tree care practice guide lines be updated to accommodate the nesting habitat differences between these two species in Western Massachusetts.
- Research Category: Conservation and Management
