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Do Review Papers on Bird–Vegetation Relationships Provide Actionable Information to Forest Managers in the Eastern United States?
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Abstract
Forest management planning requires the specification of measurable objectives as desired future conditions at spatial extents ranging from stands to landscapes and temporal extents ranging from a single growing season to several centuries. Effective implementation of forest management requires understanding current conditions and constraints well enough to apply the appropriate silvicultural strategies to produce desired future conditions, often for multiple objectives, at varying spatial and temporal extents. We administered an online survey to forest managers in the eastern US to better understand how wildlife scientists could best provide information to help meet wildlife-related habitat objectives. We then examined more than 1000 review papers on bird–vegetation relationships in the eastern US compiled during a systematic review of the primary literature to see how well this evidence-base meets the information needs of forest managers. We identified two main areas where wildlife scientists could increase the relevance and applicability of their research. First, forest managers want descriptions of wildlife species–vegetation relationships using the operational metrics of forest management (forest type, tree species composition, basal area, tree density, stocking rates, etc.) summarized at the operational spatial units of forest management (stands, compartments, and forests). Second, forest managers want information about how to provide wildlife habitats for many different species with varied habitat needs across temporal extents related to the ecological processes of succession after harvest or natural disturbance (1–2 decades) or even longer periods of stand development. We provide examples of review papers that meet these information needs of forest managers and topic-specific bibliographies of additional review papers that may contain actionable information for foresters who wish to meet wildlife management objectives. We suggest that wildlife scientists become more familiar with the extensive grey literature on forest bird–vegetation relationships and forest management that is available in natural resource management agency reports. We also suggest that wildlife scientists could reconsider everything from the questions they ask, the metrics they report on, and the way they allocate samples in time and space, to provide more relevant and actionable information to forest managers. View Full-Text
Keywords: forestry; silviculture; forest wildlife–habitat relationships; evidence-based practice; implementation gap; research relevance; synthesis; knowledge exchange; science–practice
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Research
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WLFW Outcomes: Funded Research
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NRCS WLFW Outcomes Assessment 2012-2018 (released 2021)
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An outcomes assessment report completed under a contract to Dr. JJ Apodaca from NRCS-WLFW. This document is being shared with conservation partners but broad or public sharing is not approved.
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Research
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WLFW Outcomes: Funded Research
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Northern Bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas (2022) Framework for Conservation Action
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This folder will contain the 2022 framework, as well as graphics, powerpoint presentations, and other materials that will support NRCS and partner staff in understanding this new path forward, and communicating it to others. Contact Bridgett Costanzo, NRCS, WLFW Regional Coordinator @ bridgett.costanzo@usda.gov with any questions or additional information needs.
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Information
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Presentation to WLFW Partners on NOBO, Grasslands, and Savannas Framework
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On March 2, 2022 as the release of the release by NRCS of the new framework is pending, Bridgett Costanzo of WLFW and Jessica McGuire of Quail Forever gave an overview of the framework, the associated needs assessment, and activities already underway to add staff and design a national monitoring plan. To view the recorded webinar based on these slides, go to the webinars section
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Resources
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Northern Bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas (2022) Framework for Conservation Action
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WLFW Northern bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas National Map
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Attached pdf of the national boundary for the new framework for conservation action (2022). Shapefiles available under "Boundaries and Priority Areas"
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Information
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Maps and Spatial Data
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National Project Boundaries for WLFW-NOBO, Grasslands, and Savannas
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Attached shapefiles combine all of the state input to create one cohesive, national map for the framework. Some states also identified priority areas within these boundaries, and those are posted in this same folder.
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Boundaries & Priority Area Shapefiles
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National
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State Priority Areas for WLFW NOBO, Grasslands, and Savannas
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Beyond the national boundaries that each NRCS state offices selected, some chose to also identify priority areas that will be used in project ranking. (priority area shapefiles not uploaded yet!)
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Boundaries & Priority Area Shapefiles
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National
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Map of Row Crops Produced in NOBO Range
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Row crop production within WLFW Northern bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas framework boundaries.
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Maps and Spatial Data
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Major Land Uses in WLFW NOBO, Grasslands, and Savannas
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Major land use types within the boundaries of the WLFW Northern bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas framework.
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Information
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Maps and Spatial Data
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BBS Hotspots for Northern bobwhite
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Hot spot map based on breeding bird survey data for northern bobwhite, as of 2011.
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Information
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Maps and Spatial Data
