Journal article
Declining oldâforest species as a legacy of large trees lost
Diversity & distributions, Vol.24(3), pp.341-351
03/2018
DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12682
Abstract
Aim Global declines in large old trees from selective logging have degraded oldâforest ecosystems, which could lead to delayed declines or losses of oldâforestâassociated wildlife populations (i.e., extinction debt). We applied the declining population paradigm and explored potential evidence for extinction debt in an oldâforest dependent species across landscapes with different histories of large tree logging. Location Montane forests of the Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Methods We tested hypotheses about the influence of forest structure on territory extinction dynamics of the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) using detection/nonâdetection data from 1993 to 2011 across two land tenures: national forests, which experienced extensive large tree logging over the past century, and national parks, which did not. Results Large tree/high canopy cover forest was the best predictor of extinction rates and explained 26%â77% of model deviance. Owl territories with more large tree/high canopy cover forest had lower extinction rates, and this forest type was ~4 times more prevalent within owl territories in national parks (xÂŻ = 19% of territory) than national forests (xÂŻ = 4% of territory). As such, predicted extinction probability for an average owl territory was ~2.5 times greater in national forests than national parks, where occupancy was declining (λ¯^<1) and stable (λ¯^=1), respectively. Large tree/high canopy cover forest remained consistently low, but did not decline, during the study period on national forests while owl declines were ongoingâan observation consistent with an extinction debt. Main conclusions In identifying a linkage between large trees and spotted owl dynamics at a regional scale, we provide evidence suggesting past logging of large old trees may have contributed to contemporary declines in an oldâforest species. Strengthening protections for remaining large old trees and promoting their recruitment in the future will be critical for biodiversity conservation in the world's forests.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Declining oldâforest species as a legacy of large trees lost
- Creators
- Gavin M. Jones - University of WisconsinâMadisonJohn J. Keane - Pacific Southwest Research StationR. J. GutiĂ©rrez - University of WisconsinâMadisonM. Zachariah Peery - University of WisconsinâMadisonRalph Mac Nally
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Diversity & distributions, Vol.24(3), pp.341-351
- DOI
- 10.1111/ddi.12682
- ISSN
- 1366-9516
- eISSN
- 1472-4642
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- USDA Forest Service Region 5 USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station University of WisconsinâMadison California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Sierra Nevada Conservancy US Fish and Wildlife Service California Department of Fish and Wildlife Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2018
- Academic Unit
- School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
- Record Identifier
- 9985219303702771
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