Silviculture and Wildlife: Snowshoe Hare Abundance across a Successional Sequence of Natural and Intensively Managed Forests

摘要: We tested the hypotheses H1 that relative habitat use by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) would have a bimodal distribution with highest abundance in young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands (both managed and unmanaged), minimal numbers mature forests, moderate old-growth forests H2 increase response to enhanced stand attributes from PCT (precommercial thinning) fertilization treatments. Habitat was measured counts of fecal pellets 1999 2003 forest south-central British Columbia, Canada. Our results did not support among coniferous stands, such at least our region, do provide sufficient for hare populations. High-density (5000 13000 stems/ha) unthinned optimum terms overstory structure. Thinned fertilized may also habitat, particularly densities ≤1000 stems/ha, over time as understory conifers develop. Managed provided same level 6–10 years after PCT. Maintenance range unmanaged landscape mosaic be ideal integration silvicultural wildlife management goals.