White-headed woodpecker nesting habitat at multiple spatial scales: Are habitat preferences adaptive?

Ecological theory predicts that animals will select habitats for breeding confer an adaptive advantage through increased reproductive success. We therefore expect to see congruence between habitat preferences and measures of fitness. studied abundance, nest site selection, survival in white-headed woodpeckers (Picoides albolarvatus) four forest types along elevational gradient the southern Sierra Nevada, California. Our primary objective was ascertain what features were selecting nesting at scale, whether those choices translated into examined sets models included abiotic factors three spatial scales: (0.04 ha), local (~1 home range (~125 ha). White-headed more abundant higher elevations, with low abundance low-elevation ponderosa pine forest, moderate mid-elevation mixed conifer reached their highest true fir before becoming rare high-elevation lodgepole forest. They both selected nested successfully elevations woodpecker ecology Nevada demonstrated a pattern characteristics important selection survival. found scale (agreement survival), indicating selection. At landscape closed-canopy forests edges. Habitat negatively related survival, suggesting maladaptive this scale. open basal area snags compared available sites, but canopy closure lower snags. Local weak did not help clarify relationships. results highlight importance considering multiple scales when examining preferences. The management considerations include retention large, suitable need consider heterogeneity. close association large-seeded pines over most hold where forests. developed outside which they should be validated are applied other locations.