Habitat selection of an old-growth forest specialist in managed forests

Old-growth specialists are among the species that are affected the most by commercial forestry, and as a result, many of these species are in decline. Knowing their habitat requirements is crucial for their effective conservation. The white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is one such species that is negatively affected by intensive forest management. Because the species is highly dependent on the availability of high amounts of dead wood, it typically occurs in primeval forests. As a consequence, it has become a victim of habitat loss in several European countries. We investigated habitat selection of the white-backed woodpecker in Western Austria, Eastern Switzerland and Liechtens…