Date of Award
12-15-1999
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Integrated Environmental Sciences
First Advisor
Mrs. Thelma Dalmas,
Second Advisor
Mr. Cale Godfrey
Third Advisor
Timothy W. Stewart, Ph.D.
Abstract
Populations of breeding birds were studied on two shelterwood-cut oak stands in Buckingham County, Virginia. These two tracts, Harris East and Harris West, were cut in 1996 and a Breeding Bird Census has been conducted on these tracts since 1997. This study is part of an ongoing effort to collect pre-bum data, and document the diversity of avian species utilizing this habitat. The changes in avian species present on the Harris East and Harris West plots is important to know so that the effects of shelterwood-cut forestry practices can be understood better. The data collected showed that, by changing the type of habitat from a mature closed canopy secondary growth forest to a shrub dominated open canopy forest, shelterwood-cut forestry practices have had a major impact on avian species present on the Harris East and Harris West plots. The shrub layer held over twice as many territories per acre than in the initial study conducted in 1997, increasing from 1.09 territories per acre to 3.54 territories per acre because of an increase in shrub height and density. Birds that are characteristic of forest habitats, such as the Eastern Wood-pewee (Contopus virens) and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) were found on both plots along with an influx of species characteristic of shrub habitats.
Recommended Citation
Collins, Patrick Lee, "THE EFFECT OF SHELTERWOOD-CUT OAK FORESTRY PRACTICES ON BREEDING BIRD SUCCESS" (1999). Theses & Honors Papers. 179.
https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/etd/179
