Not all forests are disturbed equally: Population dynamics and resource selection of black-backed woodpeckers in the Black Hills, South Dakota

Abstract

Western North American forests are shaped by natural disturbances, which are an important driver of habitat heterogeneity and species diversity. Wildfire and bark beetle infestations are of particular interest to resource managers because of their widespread occurrence and potential economic impacts. These naturally occurring disturbances create habitat for numerous wildlife species, which benefit from abundant food resources in the form of beetle larvae, increased nesting opportunities in dead and dying trees, and increased forage production though reductions in canopy cover. Despite these benefits, wildfire and mountain pine beetle infestations reduce timber value and have historically been considered undesirable. As a result, much effort has been put into preventing or mitigating the effects of these disturbances through fire suppression, post-fire salvage logging, and sanitation logging.

Citation

Rota, Christopher Thomas. 2013. Not all forests are disturbed equally: Population dynamics and resource selection of black-backed woodpeckers in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri-Columbia. Dissertation. 146 p.