Do biomass harvesting guidelines influence herpetofauna following harvests of logging residues for renewable energy?
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Published source details
Fritts S., Moorman C., Grodsky S., Hazel D., Homyack J., Farrell C. & Castleberry S. (2016) Do biomass harvesting guidelines influence herpetofauna following harvests of logging residues for renewable energy?. Ecological Applications, 26, 926-939.
Published source details Fritts S., Moorman C., Grodsky S., Hazel D., Homyack J., Farrell C. & Castleberry S. (2016) Do biomass harvesting guidelines influence herpetofauna following harvests of logging residues for renewable energy?. Ecological Applications, 26, 926-939.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Leave woody debris in forests after logging Action Link |
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Leave woody debris in forests after logging
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2010–2014 in commercial pine forests in North Carolina and Georgia, USA (Fritts et al. 2016) found that retaining woody debris after clearcutting did not affect reptile species richness, or overall reptile and amphibian species diversity. Over 3–4 years after clearcutting, reptile species richness and overall reptile and amphibian species diversity were similar when 100% of woody debris was retained, 15–30% of wood debris was retained, or all debris was removed (results reported as statistical model outputs, see original paper for details). Eight replicate sites in three locations (one in North Carolina, two in Georgia) of intensively managed loblolly pine Pinus taeda plantations (64–70 ha/site, 25–35 years old) were clearcut in autumn 2010–summer 2011 and six 11–12 ha plots/site were managed by retaining 100% of woody debris; retaining 30% of woody debris in large piles; retaining 30% of woody debris evenly distributed; retaining 15% of woody debris in large piles; retaining 15% of woody debris evenly distributed; or by removing all woody debris (following traditional practice). Sites were replanted and treated with herbicide in 2011–2012. Reptiles and amphibians were surveyed in April–August 2011–2014 in North Carolina and 2011–2013 in Georgia using three drift fence and funnel trap arrays/plot. Three–eight trapping periods were carried out/year (2011: 10 consecutive days; 2012–2014: five consecutive days).
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
