| |
| Title: |
Bird Surveys on Research Natural Areas on the Tongass
National Forest |
| Abstract: |
We participated in a cooperative project with the U.S. Forest
Service, Forest Science Laboratory, to conduct baseline surveys of seven
Research Natural Areas (RNA) on the Tongass National Forest. We
surveyed the following seven research natural areas (RNAs) on the Tongass
National Forest in June 1997: Dog Island, Old Tom Creek, Rio Roberts, Kadin
Island, West Gambier Bay, Cape Fanshaw, and Limestone Inlet. Breeding status
and abundance of 65 bird species were recorded. Number of bird species
among RNAs ranged from 22 to 41 with a median of 37. Percentage of
confirmed breeders ranged from 36 to 51 percent with a median of 39 percent.
The largest number of bird species was recorded in Dog Island RNA, whereas
Old Tom Creek RNA had the largest proportion of confirmed breeders.
Checklist surveys were more effective than point counts in generating a
comprehensive list of birds for each RNA. Variation in bird species composition
among RNAs was related to habitat features, latitude, or geographical location,
especially juxtaposition to a marine environment. |
| Keywords: |
Area searches, breeding bird surveys, point counts, Tongass
National Forest, vegetation surveys |
| Status: |
Complete; see Tongass
National Forest. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-535 for a complete summary.. |
| Duration: |
1997-1998 |
| Location: |
Tongass National Forest |
| Region: |
Southeastern Alaska |
| Cooperators: |
U.S. Forest Service, Forest Science Laboratory; U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Nongame Migratory Bird Management; Tongass National
Forest. |
| Contacts: |
- Winston Smith
Forestry Science Laboratory
2770 Sherwood Lane, Suite 2A
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Winston_Smith@fs.fed.us
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