SELECTIVE TIMBER HARVESTING AND WILD TURKEY REPRODUCTION IN WEST VIRGINIA
Abstract: Little is known about the effects of selective timber harvesting on eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). The rate of selective timber harvesting (high‐grading) on private lands in West Virginia is expected to more than triple by the year 2000. Thirty‐nine radio‐equipped w...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1995-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00216.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract: Little is known about the effects of selective timber harvesting on eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). The rate of selective timber harvesting (high‐grading) on private lands in West Virginia is expected to more than triple by the year 2000. Thirty‐nine radio‐equipped wild turkey hens were monitored between 15 April and 18 August 1990‐92 in West Virginia to determine how vegetational changes resulting from selective timber harvesting affected survival and reproductive success. The mean spring‐summer survival rate was 0.795 ± 0.064 (SE), with no difference between hens using unharvested (0.810, n = 32) and harvested (0.718, n = 7) areas (P = 0.6170). Apparent nest success rates in unharvested (65%, n = 22) and harvested (75%, n = 8) areas were not different (P = 0.5620). However, poult survival at 7 weeks after hatching was 37% for 12 hens that used unharvested areas and 80% for 6 hens that used harvested areas (P = 0.0404). Selective timber harvesting did not adversely affect survival or reproductive success. Harvesting increased structural heterogeneity of understory vegetation and provided hens with more concealed nest sites and poults with more escape cover than unharvested areas. Harvesting may have increased spring and summer food availability, thereby improving habitat quality. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |