Effects and Interactions of Fire, Logging, and Grazing

Logging and livestock grazing are widespread management practices in Southwestern ponderosa pine forests that may act either independently or synergistically with fire management to influence habitat availability and use, reproductive success, and songbird population levels. Fire, historically an important natural process in Southwestem ponderosa pine forests, had far-reaching affects on forest structure and composition (Moir et al. this volume). Because of ~ t s influence on forest habitats, and because birds respond strongly to habitat structure and composition (MacArthur and MacArthur 1961; Rotenberry 1985), historic fires had a powerful impact on forest bird communities. Contemporary fire suppression and prescribed burning have affected or could affect forest birds and their to restore habitats fo; birds that ;se open foresys with large, old trees or age-structure diversity. In h s chapter, we summarize current knowledge about the effects of fire, logging, and grazing on coniferous forest birds and their habitats. We critically review the results of studies evaluating how these individual factors Influence bird numbers, species diversity, nesting success, and habitat use in ponderosa pine forests. Documented and potential interactions among fire, fire exclusion, logging, livestock grazing, and range management are discussed in relation to habitat structure, succession, and avian use. Finally, we outline some areas where further research is needed to better understand the effects of fire, logging, grazing, and their interactions on birds and their habitats in Southwestern ponderosa pine forests.