Green-tree retention and recovery of an old-forest specialist, the southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi), 20 years after harvest

摘要: Context Populations of many mammalian species are reduced as a result clearcutting, despite the concurrent objectives wood production and conservation mammal diversity on cutover forest land. To help ameliorate this decline, green-tree retention (GTR) leaves large live trees after harvest to provide mature habitat increase structural regenerating stand. Aims test hypotheses (H) that, at 20 years harvest, (H1) abundance, reproduction survival southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi), well (H2) abundance forest-floor small community, would with basal area (BA) density residual harvest. Methods Small mammals were live-trapped in 2015–16 replicated clearcut, dispersed retention, aggregated patch cut uncut sites mixed forests Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. latifolia) British Columbia, Canada. Key results Mean BA overstory coniferous significantly different post-harvest, being higher than clearcut GTR sites. M. gapperi populations greater other sites, but demographic parameters similar among therefore H1 was partly supported. total differed highest overall numbers occurring (16.2), (13.6) (11.9). richness Thus, H2 not Conclusions Recovery 10m2 ha–1 trees, group, occurred post-harvest. Implications Aggregated should some conserve openings, successional development up post-harvest may be required.