Short-term effects of fuel reduction on pileated woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon—a pilot study.

Evelyn Bull; Abe A. Clark; Jay F. Shepherd

doi:10.2737/PNW-RP-564

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Short-term effects of fuel reduction on pileated woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon—a pilot study.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Evelyn Bull, Abe A. Clark, Jay F. Shepherd

Year:

2005

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-564

Source:

Res. Pap. PNW-RP-564. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 17 p

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Abstract

To determine the short-term effects (1 to 3 years posttreatment) of fuel reduction on pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) in northeastern Oregon, we compared measures of abundance of logs, snags, stumps, and of woodpecker foraging in mixed-conifer stands that had undergone the following treatments: prescribed burning after mechanical fuel reduction, mechanical fuel reduction without prescribed burning, or no treatment. Pileated woodpecker foraging was significantly more abundant in the stands that were not treated or had mechanical fuel reduction only. Ants, the primary prey of pileated woodpeckers, were also significantly more abundant in these stands.

Keywords

Fuel reduction, prescribed burns, pileated woodpecker, northeastern Oregon, ants, snags, logs

Citation

Bull, Evelyn L.; Clark, Abe A.; Shepherd, Jay F. 2005. Short-term effects of fuel reduction on pileated woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon—a pilot study. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-564. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 17 p