Forest Stand Structure of the Northern Spotted Owl's Foraging Habitat

摘要: Although the spotted owl's close association with old growth has been extensively studied, it more difficult to identify and quantify abundance of particular stand structures associated preferred owl foraging sites. Old-growth forests have a suite characteristics that distinguish them from younger but which also make isolate individual structural features important owl. This study used an analysis use-only sites in areas where natural disturbance had created gradient old-growth characteristics. We radio telemetry data collected reproducing pairs locate sample stands compute relative measure owl-use intensity each stand. Snag volume tree height class diversity (a canopy layering) were significantly intensity. Stands 142 m3/ha intact snags high heights medium or use by owls. In these stands, biological legacies (e.g., large trees snags) produced past provide forest use. For. Sci. 45(4):520-527.