Sustainable management of commercial forests for wood products and a globally threatened bird species

PI: Roth, Amber (Forest Resources, UMaine)

Sector: Ecology, Forestry

Partners: UMaine Presque Isle, UMaine Fort Kent, Irving, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Abstract: The Rusty Blackbird is a species of special concern in Maine and is globally threatened, having declined by more than 85% since the 1970s. Rusty Blackbirds nest in stunted or regenerating spruce-fir (softwood) stands in or near shallow wetlands across northern North America. Our goal is to provide guidance to landowners managing commercial forests with Rusty Blackbird breeding habitat. Our primary objective is to evaluate the effects of a range of silvicultural practices, from naturally regenerated stands to intensively managed planted stands, on Rusty Blackbird nest site selection and nest survival. This research fills an important gap in our understanding of best management practices for Rusty Blackbird breeding habitat in intensively-managed commercial forests.