| Landscape Scale Association of Boreal Owls in the Rocky Mountains |
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| Investigators |
| Richard Russell (M.Sc. candidate), Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
Dr. Greg Hayward, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
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What is the Issue? |
| HABITAT LOSS |
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This research is examining large-scale forest patterns and their influence on boreal owl populations. In addition, it is investigating how current timber harvesting practices in subalpine forests of the Rocky Mountains are changing this association. Information from this United States study will serve as a yardstick to compare boreal owl populations and their habitat requirements in southeastern British Columbia. The results from this research will be used to assist in developing sustainable forest management plans.
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What is our goal? |
| DETERMINING HABITAT REQUIREMENTS OF BOREAL OWLS.
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| Landscape scale association of Boreal Owls in the southern Rocky Mountains. |
Where we currently stand. |
| The boreal owl occupies a very large home range for its body size and it may be that this species evaluates its habitat at relatively broad spatial scales. Forest management and forest disturbance processes also operate at relatively broad spatial scales. To characterize patterns of boreal owl habitat use, spatial analyses have been conducted at broad spatial scales. Results show that nests that yield small clutches tend to be located within landscapes comprised of larger stands of mature closed-canopy engelmann spruce than those that yield larger clutches. Further, these "low productivity" nests are located closer to these mature stands versus "high productivity" nests. This pattern is mirrored along gradients of size and dispersion of old, closed-canopy, engelmann spruce dominated stands. Nests that yield larger clutches tend to be located within landscapes comprised of larger stands of old closed-canopy engelmann spruce than those that yield smaller clutches. "High productivity" nests are located closer to old stands versus "low productivity" nests. Results from the study suggest that retaining boreal owls in the Rockies will require a continual abundance of old stands of spruce-dominated forest, well-dispersed across the planning landscape. Global Forest is supporting this project through 2001.
Sponsored in part by The Illahie Foundation.
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You can help this project - find out how. |
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