The main objective of Part A is to define riparian management zones based on ecologically relevant criteria. The main objective of Part B is to test if differences in habitat structure between riparian and upland areas are biologically meaningful to the species that depend on forested habitat. Non-migratory birds have been selected as indicators to address this question. The primary goal of this research to determine if habitat attributes exhibit an upslope gradient, and how far the stream influence extends. We hypothesize that each habitat attribute will be independently affected by ecosystem type, stream class, aspect, and slope. Thus we will be able to define what is the riparian management area for the TFL. For the non-migratory bird study, the overall mean relative abundance and the relative abundance of bird species will be calculated separately for the riparian and upland habitat. We will develop a set of models to explain the sources of variation between the stand-level habitat attributes in both habitats. The best model(s) will then be selected using Akaike's Information Criterion for small sample sizes.
Prepared by Katherine Maxcy, Robert Serrouya and Jim Herbers
Maxcy, Katherine, Serrouya, Robert; Herbers, Jim. 2003. Assessing structural attributes in riparian and upland habitat on TFL 49: Final report for 2002-2003. Forest Investment Account. Forest Investment Account Report