Forest Sciences Commons^™

Second Growth Forest As Potential Marten Habitat In Western Newfoundland: An Examination Of Forest Habitat Structure And Microtine Abundance, Brian R. Sturtevant

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The American marten (Martes americana) is associated with large tracts of relatively undisturbed, mature coniferous forests. I examined coarse woody debris (CWD) structure and small mammal abundance with respect to forest age and stem structure within second-growth forests, in comparison with old-growth stands in western Newfoundland. Results suggest that a critical change in marten habitat quality may occur at stand senescence, due to decreased tree competition, more complex subcanopy structure, and increased meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) abundance.

Analysis of stem structure within a chronosequence of 19 second-growth stands indicated high intertree competition, with dense canopy closure …

The Impact Of A Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic On Wildlife Habitat And Communities In Post-Epidemic Stands Of A Lodgepole Pine Forest In Northern Utah, William E. Stone

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Natural disturbance events influence the patterns and processes in many forest ecosystems. Ecosystem management of coniferous forests in western North America requires the recognition of the importance that natural disturbance regimes have in achieving sustainable resource production and maintaining biological diversity . Mountain pine beetle epidemics have played an historic role in the succession and structure of lodgepole pine forests in this region. Their effects on wildlife habitat and communities are undocumented, but are presumed to be substantial. I sought to quantify these effects in forty 1-ha stands of monotypic, even-aged, mature lodgepole pine forest in northern Utah approximately 3-8 …