6533b821fe1ef96bd127c578

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Early post-fire bird community in European boreal forest: Comparing salvage-logged with non-intervention areas

subject

description

Salvage logging after disturbances in forests substantially modifies vegetation structureand dead wood availability, but empirical evidence on its impact on biodiversity, especiallyin European boreal forest, is sparse. In this study we investigated the short-term effect ofpost-fire salvage logging on species richness and abundance of birds in recently burnedmixed coniferous forest. Using point counts we estimated local species composition at 49salvaged sites and 55 non-intervention sites (burnt forest left for natural regeneration) thatwere not logged after afire in south-central Sweden. Local species richness, abundanceand Simpson's species diversity index were significantly higher at non-intervention sitescompared to salvaged sites. Forest birds that rely on structurally complex forest stands,such as tits (Parus major,Lophophanes cristatus,Poecile montanus), robin (Erithacus rube-cula), mistle trush (Turdus viscivorus) and tree-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) weremainly associated with non-intervention sites, while species that are typically linked tofarm- or shrublands, such as whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), white wagtail (Motacilla alba),red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio),and meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) were morecommon at salvaged sites. These results are consistent with the idea that post-fire salvagelogging has an immediate impact on the bird species composition and abundance in borealforest. We conclude that although post-fire salvage logging may be beneficial for birdsoccurring in open landscapes, it has negative effects for forest bird species richness andabundance, at least over the short term. To protect typical forest communities with manyforest specialists of high conservation concern, we recommend reducing the extent ofpost-disturbance salvaging in forests of high conservation value and updating the existingmanagement policy to restore the amount of woody debris and facilitate long-termstructural complexity and biodiversity in densely stocked conifer stands.