Treesearch

Three factors influence a coarse-filter approach to the providing wildlife habitat in riparian areas in the northeastern United States. These are: 1) degree of riparian-upland forest connectivity; 2) water regime; and 3) key vegetation structures present in riparian areas that are important to terrestrial vertebrate species.

Clearcutting creates habitat for many species of early successional songbirds; however, little information is available on bird use of small forest openings created by group selection harvests. Group selection harvests are increasing on the White Mountain National Forest due to negative public response to clearcutting. The objective of this study was to determine if avian species richness and composition differ between clearcut and group selection openings, and between mature stands and the uncut portions of group selection stands. Point count surveys were conducted during the 1992 and...

Nest predation studies frequently use eggs such as Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) to identify potential predators of Neotropical migrants' eggs, but such eggs may be too large or thick-shelled to identify the full complement of potential predators. We compared predation events and predators of Japanese Quail and smaller House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) eggs in paired, camera-monitored ground nests within edges and interiors of 40 mixed-hardwood forest stands in central Massachusetts. House Sparrow eggs were depredated significantly more than Japanese Quail eggs at both forest edges...

Knowledge gained in the study of forest work is used to improve operational efficiency through better planning and control of future work. Internationally recognized standard methods for recording, evaluating and reporting performance in forest work will greatly enhance the usefulness of this information to managers and planners. A subcommittee of IUFRO Working Party S3.04.02 (Work study; payment, labour productivity) has completed work on a standard nomenclature for time and cost concepts (Appendix I). This report outlines the details of the nomenclature agreed upon. Of particular...

Minirhizotrons were used to observe fine root (≤1 mm) production, mortality, and longevity over 2 years in four sugar-maple-dominated northern hardwood forests located along a latitudinal temperature gradient. The sites also differed in N availability, allowing us to assess the relative influences of soil temperature and N availability in controlling fine root lifespans. Root production and mortality occurred throughout the year, with most production occurring in the early portion of the growing season (by mid-July). Mortality was distributed much more evenly throughout the year. For...

Seasonal forest ponds (SFPs) are isolated, ephemeral lentic habitats in upland forest ecosystems. These ponds occur commonly throughout temperate forests. Faunal communities of these ponds are dominated by invertebrates. Composition of these communities varies temporally both between years and also seasonally within a single hydrologic year, composition is most affected by pond permanence or hydroperiod. Benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) were sampled up to three times a year in five SFPs between 1994 and 1996. The ponds were of short, intermediate, and long hydroperiod. Hydroperiod also...

To help you gain access to what the Forest Service knows, we?ve compiled a list of experts who work for the Northeastern Research Station. They represent a diversity of scientific disciplines and knowledge?from forestry to sociology, from plant pathology to meteorology, from genetic engineering to economics. Together with other scientists, technicians and administrative personnel, they conduct research aimed at solving forestry problems in the complex Northeast, where extensive forests and vast metropolitan areas exist side-by-side.

Excess exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, particularly the ultraviolet B (UVB) portion, has been linked with adverse effects on human health ranging from skin cancers to eye diseases such as cataracts. Trees may prevent even greater disease rates in humans by reducing UV exposure. Tree shade greatly reduces UV irradiance when both the sun and sky are obscured. However, at locations where trees obscure the sun but leave much of the sky in view, UV radiation is much more prevalent than is indicated by the appearance of the visible shadow. Recent measurements of leaf optical...