Year 2 - Effects of Habitat Composition on the Fitness of a Mature Forest Indicator; Do Thresholds Exist?
Project Reference Number: 2008-07
Project Status: Complete
Led by: Todd Mahon, Wildfor Consultants Ltd., Edmonton
Funded by: Forest Investment Account - Forest Science Program (Y09-2251)
Minimum thresholds or desired ranges for landscape composition (e.g. seral stages) are often key components of coarse-filter strategies in Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) plans, however, there is little empirical evidence to support much of the theory behind these strategies. This project addresses this knowledge gap by quantifying relationships between habitat loss and fitness for a mature forest indicator. Response curves and thresholds identified by this research will provide a function.
The objectives of work in 2008/09 are to enter and analyze our long-term data sets, publish key research findings, develop management guidelines collaboratively with regional partners, and conduct comprehensive extension activities to disseminate our findings.