Aspen Bibliography

Summer Habitat Use by Ruffed Grouse With Broods in Central Pennsylvania

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Field Ornithology

Volume

69

Issue

3

First Page

474

Last Page

485

Publication Date

1998

Abstract

-We radio-tagged and monitored adult female Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) with broods to evaluate effects of habitat management on home-range size and patterns of habitat use. Experimental habitat management consisted of short-rotation clearcutting of 1- ha forest patches to create various-aged forest stands of mixed oak (Quercus spp.) and aspen (Populus tremuloides, P gradidentata) /scrub oak (Q. Ilicifolia, Q. prinoides). Home range size was not significantly different between grouse occupying managed and an adjacent unmanaged forest. Female grouse with broods selected mixed oak/scrub oak habitats and avoided herbaceous areas, recent clearcuts, and pitch pine (Pinus rigida)/scrub oak habitats throughout the study area. On the managed area, grouse selected 10-yr-old clearcut patches in mixed oak and aspen/scrub oak. Sites used by grouse had higher densities of woody stems 2.5-7.5- cm dbh, greater % cover of live vegetation at 0-2 m, and were closer to edges and openings than random sites. Habitat management practices positively affected one microhabitat component, distance to nearest edge, that was selected by female grouse with broods.

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