Partial and clearcut harvesting of dry Douglas-fir forests: implications for small mammal communities

Published source details Klenner W. & Sullivan T.P. (2009) Partial and clearcut harvesting of dry Douglas-fir forests: implications for small mammal communities. Forest Ecology and Management, 257, 1078-1086.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Use selective harvesting instead of clearcutting Action Link

Use selective harvesting instead of clearcutting

A replicated, controlled study in 1994–1997 of Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii forest in British Colombia, Canada (Klenner & Sullivan 2009) found that selective harvesting of trees increased one of four small mammal species abundance in the third and fourth, but not first and second, year after harvesting relative to clearcutting. There were more southern red-backed voles Myodes gapperi in the third and four year in all selectively logged treatments (6–17/plot) than in clearcut stands (0–1/plot), but similar numbers between treatments in the first two years (selective cut: 33–42/plot; clearcut: 13–34/plot). There were no differences between treatments for deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus (selective cut: 1–15/plot; clearcut: 6–21/plot) or northwestern chipmunk Tamias amoenus (selective cut: 0–6/plot; clearcut: 0–6/plot). There were more meadow voles Microtus pennsylvanicus in clearcut stands (selective cut: 0–2/plot; clearcut: 3–14/plot). Forest stands, 20–25 ha in extent, were partially harvested in winter 1993–1994. Two each had 20% of timber volume removed by individual-tree selection, 35% removed by individual-tree selection on 50% of the area and 50% volume removed by individual-tree selection. These were compared with two 1.6-ha clearcut areas. Small mammals were live-trapped, at 2–4-week intervals, in May–October of 1994, 1995, and 1996 and in April–May 1997.

(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)