| Influence
of Forest Restoration Treatments on Tree Roosting
Bat Communities |
| |
 Background:
Currently, there are plans to treat the ponderosa pine forests on Camp
Navajo using restoration prescriptions to restore ecosystem function
of the ponderosa pine forest community. Forest restoration treatments
involve removing accumulated leaf litter and reducing density of over-stocked
forest stands through prescribed burning and mechanical thinning techniques.
Thinning and burning operations may alter species richness and density
of certain wildlife species. Effects of forest restoration (i.e., changes
in resource availability) on forest dwelling bats are poorly understood.
Bats serve important ecosystem functions in ponderosa pine forests,
(e.g. bats are predators of forest insects). It is critical that we
understand the effects of forest restoration prescriptions on these
species before decisions are made to restore large areas. Forest restoration
is expected to increase biodiversity and productivity at the herbaceous
layer (beneficial to some insect and wildlife species); however, restoration
is expected to decrease internal structural diversity for several decades
and may decrease the availability of suitable bat roosts). The purpose
of this study is to collect pre-treatment data for eventual post-treatment
comparison in order to understand ecosystem restoration effects may
on forest dwelling bats within ponderosa pine communities.
Location:
The study will be restricted to the western
portion of Camp Navajo Army National Guard
Depot near Flagstaff, Arizona (approximately
26 km2) where two different proposed forest
restoration treatments are to occur.
Approach:
Four groups of 25 artificial roosts will be
placed within each of the three treatments
(100 roosts in the untreated area and 100 roosts
in each of the 2 forest treatments). An equal
number of roosts will be attached on the north,
east, south, and west sides of trees. Each
group of 25 artificial roosts will be randomly
located within a five hectare area and all
artificial roosts will be in place by March
2004. Roost construction will enable an observer
to count the number of individual bats using
the roost, and to determine their species.
At each of the artificial bat roost trees we
will sample standard forest vegetation structure.
We will monitor each artificial roost during
the 2004 bat season and to determine the bat
use of the artificial roosts.
Benefits:
The primary benefit will be to develop baseline
empirical data on select bat species diversity
and relative abundance for the subsequent comparison
to post-treatment ponderosa pine forests. These
results will suggest how forest management
restoration prescriptions affect forest dwelling
bats. Such information could influence future
prescriptions, or alleviate concerns about
the impacts of forest restoration prescriptions
on these wildlife species.
For more information
contact:
Mylea Bayless, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
.
Phone: (928) 213-9591 E-mail: mbayless@gf.state.az.us
Michael Ingraldi, Ph.D., Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
.
Phone: (928) 523-5625 E-mail: mingraldi@cybertrails.com |
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