Ponderosa Pine Forest

Transcription

1 Ponderosa Pine Forest Image: Jon Corcoran Image: Audubon Image: Rick and Nora Bowers Image: Michelle Lamberson Image: Rick and Nora Bowers

2 Range Maps Image: Jon Corcoran Image: Audubon Images: Birds of North America Online

3 Range Maps Image: Rick and Nora Bowers Image: Michael Woodruff Images: Birds of North America Online

4 Range Maps Image: Michelle Lamberson Image: Birds of North America Online

5 Partners in Flight Population Estimates Image: Jon Corcoran Image: Dale and Marian Zimmerman = = ~2,000,000 individuals globally NM has ~16.6% of global population ~950,000 individuals globally NM has ~36.5% of global population

6 Partners in Flight Population Estimates Image: Audubon Image: Luke Seitz ~35,000 individuals = in U.S./Canada NM has ~6.5% of global population ~11,000 individuals = in U.S./Canada % of population in NM unknown

7 Partners in Flight Population Estimates Image: Pam Koch ~69,000 individuals = globally NM has ~8.6% of global population

8 Breeding Bird Survey Population Trends Image: Rick and Nora Bowers = -1.94% per year rangewide % per year in NM 52% loss since 1960s = -1.37% per year rangewide % per year in NM 46% loss since 1960s Image: Audubon

9 Breeding Bird Survey Population Trends = unknown Image: Rick and Nora Bowers = unknown Image: Audubon

10 Breeding Bird Survey Population Trends = -3.29% per year rangewide % per year in NM 72% loss since 1960s Caveat: small sample size Image: Day 5 Creations

11 Threats Potential Threats: Fire suppression, increased tree densities, and resulting severe wildfire Loss of large, old trees to past logging Insect outbreaks Climate change Image: healthyforests.org Overgrazing

12 Habitat Needs Reference conditions for southwestern ponderosa pine forests: 10-50% canopy cover Groups of trees, with grass-forb-shrub openings and scattered individual trees 1-10 snags per acre 3-23 downed logs per acre Burn intervals <35 years

13 Habitat Needs Additional considerations for priority species based on scientific literature: Image: The Tree Farm Large trees (>18 diameter at breast height) are particularly important for Grace s Warbler Overall bird diversity significantly higher in pine forests with a Gambel oak component Gambel oak with a diameter at breast height of 3-6 inches is critical for Virginia s Warbler; species was not found in areas lacking Gambel oak in this size class

14 Habitat Needs Additional considerations for priority species: Large snags are likely critical for Lewis s Woodpecker, Flammulated Owl, and other species Species appear to have different needs when it comes to snags; important to retain snags in different stages of decay (hard vs. soft snags) Heavily wooded canyons appear to be important for Mexican Whip-poor-will Extreme wildfire appears to create Lewis s Woodpecker habitat in the short-term, but not in the long-term Image: Patricia Thompson

15 Management Actions Recommendations: Return ponderosa pine forest stands to reference conditions per Reynolds et al. Restore frequent fire intervals through prescribed burning Retain or create large snags Retain Gambel oak in all age classes, but particularly large oak, and oak 3-6 inches diameter at breast height Avoid overgrazing Avoid thinning in steep canyons Image: Seb Ruiz

16 Other Species That May Benefit Pygmy Nuthatch Image: Brian Small

17 Current Research Three-year survey funded by NM Game and Fish through the Share with Wildlife Program, and conducted by Envirological Services, Inc; results expected in 2018 Survey will provide density estimates for NM mountain ranges and more accurate population estimates Image: Jon Corcoran

18 ? Ponderosa Pine Forest: Needed Research? Surveys to estimate population trends and size for Flammulated Owl and Mexican Whippoor-will in New Mexico Surveys evaluating management activities Research investigating habitats needs for Mexican Whip-poor-will

19 Questions???? Image: Jon Corcoran Image: Audubon Image: Rick and Nora Bowers Image: Michelle Lamberson Image: Rick and Nora Bowers