Temporal changes in the Acadian Forest and its relationship to the habitat requirements of the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)
Loading...
Date
2024-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of New Brunswick
Abstract
I investigated forest simplification in New Brunswick and its relationship to the nesting and diurnal habitat requirements of the American woodcock to determine if the Young Forest Initiative should be brought into the province. I did a chronosequence analysis of two forest inventories over a 30-year period to test for three processes of forest simplification. For woodcock, I surveyed forests and conducted habitat surveys across five sites and used GLMMS to analyze the habitat variables. My results revealed: 1) New Brunswick’s forests are resembling a young boreal-like forest; 2) forest structure highly influences woodcock habitat and 3) no correlation between the number of singing males and nesting hens. Forest simplification might pose a management problem for woodcock as the resulting forests will not have the ideal structure for their habitat. However, the Young Forest Initiative should not be considered as a potential management plan for woodcock habitat for New Brunswick.