Blackburnian Warbler — Pho<strong>to</strong>: Daniel Cadieux “There is a way that nature speaks, that <strong>land</strong> speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, <strong>to</strong> pay attention <strong>to</strong> the s<strong>to</strong>ry.” L<strong>in</strong>da Hogan 82
Male Blue-w<strong>in</strong>ged Warbler — Pho<strong>to</strong>: Jeff Nadler Ten Easy Ways <strong>to</strong> be Careful Land Managers SUMMARY 1. Get professional <strong>for</strong>est management advice. 2. Use an appropriate, recognized silvicultural system (move beyond diameter-limits; consider group selection). 3. Use a written prescription <strong>for</strong> harvest<strong>in</strong>g. 4. Reta<strong>in</strong> large and extra large trees (some of which will be low quality/value). 5. Ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> or manage <strong>for</strong> high levels of structural diversity. 6. Consider leav<strong>in</strong>g uncut areas. 7. Reta<strong>in</strong> old growth and wildlife features: • live cavity trees (10/ha), mast trees (10/ha), snags (5-10/ha) (the bigger the better) • ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> or improve native tree species diversity • protect exist<strong>in</strong>g downed wood and add where possible • reta<strong>in</strong> stick nests where they exist • preserve the <strong>in</strong>tegrity of wet areas (ephemeral ponds, seeps, streams, etc.) • reta<strong>in</strong> and protect the <strong>habitat</strong> of species-at-risk 8. Demand careful, high quality logg<strong>in</strong>g without damage. 9. Calculate economic benefits over the long term. 10. Enjoy your woodlot! Southern Ontario was once a <strong>for</strong>est dom<strong>in</strong>ated <strong>land</strong>scape. Today, that <strong>for</strong>est is broken <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> many different woodlots of vary<strong>in</strong>g sizes and shapes, often isolated from adjacent woodlots. These pieces are owned and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed by a large number of private <strong>land</strong>owners and a few public <strong>land</strong>lords. This creates the backdrop <strong>for</strong> the fragmented <strong>for</strong>est ecosystem we see <strong>to</strong>day. Despite these changes on the <strong>land</strong>scape, on any early morn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> late May, <strong>in</strong> almost any woodlot (5 ha or greater), you only need <strong>to</strong> listen <strong>for</strong> a few m<strong>in</strong>utes <strong>to</strong> become completely overwhelmed by a cacophony of song<strong>birds</strong> belong<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> 30 or more species. These <strong>birds</strong>, <strong>to</strong>gether with the trees, plants, butterflies, and other life you see, are all recent descendents of what once was nearly cont<strong>in</strong>uous <strong>for</strong>est. S<strong>in</strong>ce the time of European settlement (200 years) many of these <strong>for</strong>ests have rema<strong>in</strong>ed vibrant and productive. This resilience is amaz<strong>in</strong>g and reassur<strong>in</strong>g. Appreciat<strong>in</strong>g the resilience of these <strong>for</strong>est ecosystems and recogniz<strong>in</strong>g their limitations are likely the two most important philosophical po<strong>in</strong>ts <strong>to</strong> consider when prepar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> conduct management that will be compatible with the needs of the future <strong>for</strong>est <strong>land</strong>scape. Researchers have begun <strong>to</strong> untangle some of the mysteries associated with changes <strong>in</strong> <strong>for</strong>ests caused by natural or human disturbances. By study<strong>in</strong>g changes <strong>in</strong> the composition and density of regeneration on the <strong>for</strong>est floor, <strong>for</strong>est scientists can make predictions about what the future <strong>for</strong>est composition will resemble. By observ<strong>in</strong>g the composition of <strong>for</strong>est <strong>birds</strong> and calculat<strong>in</strong>g the success of their nest<strong>in</strong>g attempts, biologists can determ<strong>in</strong>e whether the <strong>for</strong>est is self-susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> a given mix of species. Both types of <strong>in</strong>dica<strong>to</strong>rs, tree seedl<strong>in</strong>g diversity and bird productivity, provide clues <strong>to</strong> the direction of future <strong>for</strong>ests. We know that <strong>birds</strong> and <strong>for</strong>ests are so <strong>in</strong>timately l<strong>in</strong>ked that learn<strong>in</strong>g about both has helped <strong>to</strong> improve our understand<strong>in</strong>g of how the entire <strong>for</strong>est ecosystem functions. It seems there is a bird <strong>for</strong> every part of the system, whether it’s tree<strong>to</strong>p nesters, ground dwellers, shrubby open canopy <strong>in</strong>habitants, or cavity dependent species. There is a niche <strong>for</strong> each species, and a s<strong>to</strong>ry about the <strong>for</strong>est that can be <strong>to</strong>ld by their population health and productivity. Land managers who strive <strong>to</strong> ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> and enhance the wide range of <strong>habitat</strong>s available on their properties will help ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> biodiversity and the ecological resilience of the entire <strong>land</strong>scape. Careful management based on susta<strong>in</strong>able methods has proven <strong>to</strong> be the most economical <strong>in</strong> the long run. Manag<strong>in</strong>g first <strong>to</strong> promote structural diversity will provide <strong>habitat</strong> <strong>for</strong> a large variety of species. By coupl<strong>in</strong>g this with f<strong>in</strong>e scale management plans aimed at <strong>in</strong>dividual sensitive species where they exist, <strong>land</strong>owners will promote healthy <strong>for</strong>est ecosystems across the <strong>land</strong>scape. By gett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> know your woodlot and its <strong>in</strong>habitants, managers can make decisions that do not preclude harvest<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> economic ga<strong>in</strong>, but further improve or ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> conditions <strong>for</strong> <strong>birds</strong> and all biodiversity. These types of diverse <strong>for</strong>ests are more resistant <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>sects and disease, and have a greater buffer<strong>in</strong>g capacity aga<strong>in</strong>st other stresses such as climate change. Where possible, ef<strong>for</strong>ts should be made <strong>to</strong> improve <strong>for</strong>ested <strong>habitat</strong> through re<strong>for</strong>estation, <strong>in</strong>vasive species removal, and rehabilitation of degraded wood<strong>land</strong>s. Landowners, <strong>land</strong> managers, <strong>for</strong>esters, tree markers and loggers are key players <strong>in</strong> ensur<strong>in</strong>g we have vibrant and healthy wood<strong>land</strong>s that can persist and susta<strong>in</strong> themselves <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> the future. No parks system, conservation organization, tree plant<strong>in</strong>g program, or government agency alone or <strong>in</strong> comb<strong>in</strong>ation will ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> the trees, plants, wildlife, <strong>in</strong>sects, fungi and water quality of this diverse <strong>land</strong>scape. With 90 percent of southern Ontario wood<strong>land</strong>s <strong>in</strong> private ownership, it is your decisions as <strong>land</strong>owners, that will determ<strong>in</strong>e the future of our biodiversity and natural resources. Pho<strong>to</strong>: Teresa Pira<strong>in</strong>o Summary 83
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