 Background:
The wild turkey is a valuable game species occupying the ponderosa pine
forests of Camp Navajo, Arizona. Potential forest restoration treatments
on Camp Navajo involve removing accumulated leaf litter and over
stocked tree stands through cutting and burning. This should shed
some light on how wild turkey populations respond to changes in
resource availability directly attributed to forest restoration
treatments. This project will determine the habitat use patterns
of wild turkeys within proposed forest restoration treatments,
for subsequent comparison to post-treated areas.
Location:
Camp Navajo is located on the Coconino Plateau about 10 miles west of
Flagstaff, Arizona.
Approach:
Wild turkeys are
currently being captured, measured and released
after being fitted with radio-transmitters.
Tracking these birds will enable
us to evaluate individual and group movements
throughout pre-treatment areas revealing
much about wild turkey patterns in Arizona
in relation to their habitat.
Benefits:
 Restoration
treatments have great potential to affect
wildlife communities living in the ponderosa
pine forest. Restoration is expected to increase
biodiversity and productivity at the herbaceous
layer, which is expected to benefit some
species of wildlife. However, these treatments
are expected to decrease intra-stand structural
diversity and inter-stand variation for several
decades or longer. The effect of forest restoration
on the viability of wild turkeys within ponderosa
pine forests is poorly understood. Scientific
data are needed to determine the effects
of ecosystem restoration on wild turkeys
within the ponderosa pine community before
decisions are made to restore large areas.
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, 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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