Habitat prediction model for three-toed woodpecker and its implications for the conservation of biologically valuable forests |
| |
Authors: | Krystyna Stachura-Skierczyńska Tomasz Tumiel Micha? Skierczyński |
| |
Institution: | 1. Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP), Odrow??a 24, PL-05-270 Marki k. Warszawy, Poland;2. Knyszyńska Forest - Important Bird Area (IBA) Caretaker, Towarowa 2A/48, PL-15-007 Bia?ystok, Poland;3. Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, PL-61-614 Poznań, Poland |
| |
Abstract: | We studied habitat selection of three-toed woodpecker (TTW) in relation to forest structural variables, habitat types and hydrological conditions in north-eastern Poland. Based on known locations of 34 breeding pairs and the data on location of forest areas with high conservation value (referred to as Biologically Important Forests), we created a habitat prediction model for TTW using a Maxent algorithm. We found that this species most often selected breeding sites characterized by high contribution of old-growth stands with uneven vertical structure and considerable amount of very old trees of previous generations, as well as boreal spruce-dominated bogs and riverine forests. Such sites were preferred regardless of their actual protection status, which leads to the following conclusion: although existing forest reserves are very important to three-toed woodpecker, suitable habitats with similar characteristics can still be found outside protected areas and are also utilized by the species. However, such sites outside reserves are threatened by fragmentation due to timber extraction. Therefore it is recommended to protect these sites by either including them into existing reserves or putting them under special management schemes. |
| |
Keywords: | Three-toed woodpecker Habitat selection Forest management Biologically Important Forests Maxent model |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|