Woodpeckers and Forest Biodiversity

College of Natural Resources faculty, students and local scientists are studying the role of woodpeckers as a keystone species – one whose presence is a positive influence on forest diversity. The cavities created by woodpeckers are important resources for squirrels, bats and other bird species, who use the cavities for breeding and roosting throughout the year.

The goal of this research effort is to learn more about how woodpeckers impact the biodiversity of our forests. By being more informed about the habits of woodpeckers and the interrelated forest ecosystems, natural resources advocates and managers will be empowered to respond quickly and effectively to future changes in the environment. Fire, for example, is a natural process in western ponderosa pine forests, creating nesting and foraging habitat for multiple woodpecker species. Since many woodpecker species colonize postfire environments at different stages of vegetation recovery, understanding the influence of fires on the woodpeckers and the species that use their cavities is an important task.

Impact

Agency managers will be able to use Vierling’s habitat data to maintain the right kind of habitat for different species. For many woodpecker species, there is a lack of specific information on habitat requirements and reproduction in burned environments. Species such as Lewis’s woodpeckers are designated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as a species of greatest conservation need and are also a species of concern for other state and federal agencies. Lewis’s woodpeckers breed in burned pine forests and depend on large snags in areas with open understories to catch flying insects.

Through a collaborative effort, the research group is making significant strides. “We strive to provide managers with information they can use to evaluate how different forest management practices relating to fire and logging might affect Lewis’s woodpeckers and other woodpecker species,” explains Vierling.

Principal Contributors

Kerri Vierling
University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources, Associate Professor
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Additional Contributors

GIS and Remote Sensing Scientists

Undergraduate and Graduate Research Students