Experimental evaluation of the initial effects of large-scale thinning on structure and biodiversity of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forests
Leroy Gonsalves A D , Bradley Law A and Rachel Blakey B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Forest Science, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 5123, Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia.
B Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
C The Institute for Bird Populations, PO Box 1346, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: leroy.gonsalves@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Wildlife Research 45(5) 397-410 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17168
Submitted: 4 December 2017 Accepted: 24 April 2018 Published: 29 August 2018
Abstract
Context: Multi-use management of global forests has seen even-aged, high-stem density regrowth represent >50% of the world’s forest cover. Large areas of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forests have declined in ecological condition. Thinning has been promoted as a tool to reduce competition in dense, young stands of E. camaldulensis regrowth, yet responses of forest structure and fauna to large-scale thinning are largely unclear.
Aims: To establish a before-after-control-impact experiment to assess responses of forest structure and fauna to large-scale (compartment-level; ~440 ha) silvicultural thinning.
Methods: We measured immediate (<2 yrs) responses of forest structural components (living, dead and hollow-bearing stem densities, coarse woody debris (CWD) density and volumes and ground cover) and components of biodiversity (bats, birds, volant insects and non-volant mammals) before and after thinning within five control and three impact compartments.
Key results: Thinning reduced stem density by approximately two-thirds and was associated with a substantial increase in activity and richness of bats and a change in bat species composition. There was no change in richness for birds and non-volant mammals, nor insect biomass in relation to thinning. However, thinning affected composition of non-volant mammals, with the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) less active post-thinning at impact plots relative to control plots. Thinning reduced the density of dead stems, though these were predominantly small (~13 cm diameter at breast height over bark, or dbhob) and mostly lacked hollows. Hollow-bearing tree density was not affected by thinning. Although thinning increased CWD densities, volume of CWD did not change, indicating that thinning contributed small-sized CWD. Thinning did not affect densities of hollow- and fissure-bearing CWD or ground cover, which was low (<7%) in control and impact plots. There were no other negative effects on biodiversity detected.
Conclusions: Short-term fauna responses to thinning were generally neutral or positive.
Implications: Ongoing monitoring is required to detect long-term changes that may result from colonisation or altered breeding success after thinning. We recommend that some unthinned stands should be retained throughout the landscape to provide a mosaic forest structure suitable for a diverse fauna.
Additional keywords: Fauna, Bats, Birds, Invertebrates, Mammals, Restoration, Disturbance.
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