Browsing by Subject "Chippewa National Forest"
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Item American Indian Gathering and Recreation Uses of National Forests(2004) McAvoy, Leo; Shirilla, Paul; Flood, JosephThis paper identifies and describes the patterns of use of the Chippewa National Forest (Minnesota) by Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe members; and, the use patterns of six national forests in northwest Montana by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The paper also identifies conflicts tribal members encounter while using the forests and makes recommendations regarding the management of national forests in light of tribal members' use of these lands. The implications from both study areas indicate that Forest Service managers should pay more attention to cooperative approaches, and potential co-management of forest resources that are near American Indian reservations. Managers need to be more sensitive to American Indians' uses and values associated with national forests and other protected lands that are close to reservations. They also need to be aware of the history of government and tribal relations, as well as tribal member traditional and historic uses of forests.Item Breeding Bird Monitoring in Great Lakes National Forests : 1991-2003(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2003) Lind, Jim; Danz, Nicholas P; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald JA total of 132, 134, and 169 stands (1,271 survey points) were surveyed for breeding birds in the Chequamegon, Chippewa, and Superior National Forests, respectively in 2003. Annual surveys have been conducted since 1991 in the Chippewa and Superior National Forests, and since 1992 in the Chequamegon National Forest. Breeding bird surveys in the St. Croix region of Minnesota have been conducted since 1992 on 170 stands (170 points). • We examined trends in relative abundance for 68 bird species in at least one of the four study areas. Fifty-five species in the Chequamegon NF, 52 in the Chippewa NF, 44 in the Superior NF, and 41 in the St. Croix region were tested for population trends. Thirty-six species were also tested for regional trends by combining data from the three national forests. • A total of 192 species/study area trends were calculated (not including regional trends), 98 (51%) of which were significant (P < 0.05). Twenty-five species increased significantly (P < 0.05) in at least one study area and 31 species decreased. • Seven species had significant increasing regional trends and 14 had decreasing trends. Six species had highly significant (P < 0.01) increasing trends in multiple study areas, and nine species had highly significant decreasing trends in multiple study areas. • The percentage of increasing species in each study area ranged from 13% in the Chequamegon NF, to 29% in the St. Croix study area. The percentage of decreasing species ranged from 25% in the Chequamegon NF study area, to 35% in the Chippewa NF. • There were 12 instances where a species wasn’t increasing in a particular study area in 2002 results but is increasing in 2003, and ten instances where a species showed a significant increase in 2002, and isn?t in 2003. Conversely, there were 19 instances where a species wasn’t decreasing in 2002 but is decreasing in 2003, and one instance where a species showed a decrease in 2002 but isn’t in 2003. • Short-distance migrants showed highly significant declines in all study areas. Long-distance migrants showed mixed results, including declines in the Chequamegon and Superior NF’s，an increase in the St. Croix study area，and a stable trend in the Chippewa NF. Permanent residents increased on all study areas except the Chequamegon NF, where they were stable. • Ground nesting birds showed highly significant declines in all study areas, with shrub and sub-canopy nesters increasing in all study areas. Canopy and cavity nesters showed mostly stable trends. Of the five vegetation-type preference guilds tested, lowland coniferous forest birds, deciduous, and mixed forest bird species showed widespread declines on our study areas, and upland coniferous species increased on all study areas except the Chequamegon NF. The early-successional guild showed an increase in the Chippewa NF and declines in the Superior NF and the regional analysis. • Evidence from recent regional studies have demonstrated greater nest predation rates on ground nests near forest/clearcut edges, as well as a significant increase in the creation of forest edges in recent years. Landscape fragmentation and nest predation may be having negative effects on declining ground-nesters such as the Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, and White- throated Sparrow. • Of the 1445 survey sites in all four study areas, 13.4% have been at least partially harvested since the beginning of monitoring, which is about 1% a year. This harvest rate is comparable to the 4.8% change from mature forest to early- successional types on federally managed forest lands in northeastern Minnesota between 1990 and 1995 (i.e. -1% annual change). • Many of the declining trends that we have detected have been consistent across the years and are not likely due to annual variation. One of the main goals of this monitoring program is to identify species of conservation concern, and species such as the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Mourning Warbler, Ovenbird, and White-throated Sparrow probably need special management consideration by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and state Department of Natural Resources. Although most of these are common species, several are currently well below their estimated RNV values and they may not remain common if their declining trends continue.Item Breeding bird monitoring in Great Lakes National Forests: 1991-1998(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1999) Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald J; Hawrot, Rita Y; Lima, Ann RA total of 133, 162, and 128 stands (1,269 census points) were surveyed in the Chippewa, Superior and Chequamegon National Forests, respectively. Surveys have been completed for 8 years in the Chippewa and Superior and for 7 years in the Chequamegon. One-hundred seventy census points were surveyed in East Central Minnesota over the past 7 years and 211 census points in Southeast Minnesota over the past 4 years. A total of 74 species were abundant enough in at least one region to test for trends in annual abundance. Fifty species in the Chippewa National Forest, 45 species in the Superior National Forest, 50 species in the Chequamegon National Forest, 32 species in East Central Minnesota, and 38 species in Southeast Minnesota were tested. The average number of species and individuals observed/stand or point in four of five study regions were at an all time high in 1998. In contrast, the lowest number of species and the second lowest numbers of individuals were observed in Southeast Minnesota in 1998 than in the previous three years. A In the Southeast Minnesota region 57% of the species tested showed a significant trend in abundance. In the other four regions, 84 to 98% of the species tested exhibited a significant trend in abundance. Almost 30% of the species in Southeast Minnesota showed significant linear decreasing trends from 1995 through 1998 and an additional 19% had negative overall trends. Ten percent of the species in Southeast Minnesota had increasing abundance trends. In contrast, in the other four regions more than 63% (63 to 74%) of the species have increased in abundance from 1991 (or 1992) to 1998. The percent of the species that have declined in the other regions ranged from 25% in the Superior National Forest to 12% in the Chippewa National Forest. A total of 38 species showed significant decreases (linear or other) in at least one region. Of these, 22 species (59%) also increased significantly in another region. Fifteen species decreased in one or more regions without indicating increases in other regions. Ten species declined in one region and six species, the Downy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, Canada Warbler, Indigo Bunting and American Goldfinch declined in two regions. About 64% (7 of 11) of the permanent residents tested showed a significant decrease in one region. The proportion of short distant migrants that declined was about 40% (9 of 22) of the total number tested and about 55% (22 of 40) of the long distant migrants tested decreased in abundance in one region. When species were categorized by nest location, the largest proportion of species decreasing were cavity and canopy nesting species. The proportion (all about 50%) of species declining within general habitat groups was almost equal across open, young forest, and forest habitat groups. The spring of 1998 was affected by the El Nino weather pattern and was warmer than average in all regions. Precipitation was lower in April than normal, but wetter than normal in the other spring months. June in all regions was cooler and wetter than normal. The warm spring in the Great Lake’s area affected: 1) timing of permanent resident breeding which was earlier than normal, and 2) timing of short distance migrant arrival which was also earlier than normal. Arrival times of long distance migrants were not affected by local weather patterns. We speculate that breeding of long distance migrants was also somewhat earlier in 1998. This is supported by the observations of more than the average number of fledglings during our late-June and early July survey dates. It is also likely that more double brooding occurred in 1998 due to the favorable weather conditions, although we have no data to support this hypothesis. Another potential reason for an increase in numbers of individuals in 1998 is also related to the warm spring weather and the theory of heterospecific attraction. Our data support this hypothesis: number of breeding migrants over the eight years of monitoring was highly correlated (r=0.701 and p< 0.001) with the number of foliage and bark gleaning insectivorous permanent residents. Specifically, in years where we observed the greatest numbers of Black-capped Chickadees, Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches and Blue Jays we also recorded the largest number of migrant individuals. Four of the six species that decreased in abundance in more than one region (Gray Catbird, Canada Warbler, Indigo Bunting and American Goldfinch) are associated with early successional, edge, or shrub habitat. Of the other two species that declined, the Downy Woodpecker occurs predominantly in mature deciduous forests and the Golden-crowned Kinglet is most abundant in mature lowland conifer habitat. It is difficult to determine the exact cause of these species declines. However, more detailed studies may be required for these species if declines continue.Item Breeding bird monitoring in Great Lakes National Forests: 1991-1999(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2000) Lind, Jim; Danz, Nicholas P; Jones, Malcolm T; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald JA total of 135, 168, and 133 stands (1,268 survey points) were surveyed for breeding birds in the Chippewa, Superior, and Chequamegon National Forests, respectively. Surveys have been completed for nine years in the Chippewa and Superior, and for eight years in the Chequamegon NF. Breeding bird surveys in the St. Croix region of Minnesota have been conducted over the last eight years at 171 points. Surveys in Southeast Minnesota have been conducted over the last five years at 211 points. We were able to examine trends in abundance for 79 bird species in at least one of the five study areas. Fifty-two species in the Chequamegon NF, 48 species in the Superior NF, 53 species in the Chippewa NF, 33 species in the St. Croix region, and 35 species in Southeast Minnesota were tested. Sixteen species showed a significant increase in at least one of the five study areas, and 13 species showed a significant decrease. Of the 16 increasing species, the American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and American Redstart showed significant increases in more than one study area. Of the 13 decreasing species, six declined significantly in more than one study area. The Eastern Wood-Pewee, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Mourning Warbler, and Brown-headed Cowbird declined in two study areas and the White-throated Sparrow declined in three study areas.Item Breeding bird monitoring in Great Lakes National Forests: 1991-2000(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2001) Lind, Jim; Danz, Nicholas P; Jones, Malcolm T; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald J• A total of 135, 168, and 133 stands (1,268 survey points) were surveyed for breeding birds in the Chippewa, Superior, and Chequamegon National Forests, respectively. Surveys have been completed for ten years in the Chippewa and Superior, and for nine years in the Chequamegon NF.• Breeding bird surveys in the St. Croix region of Minnesota have been conducted over the last nine years at 171 points. Surveys in southeast Minnesota have been conducted over the last six years at 211 points.• We were able to examine trends in abundance for 72 bird species in at least one of the five study areas. Fifty species in the Chequamegon NF, 40 species in the Superior NF, 47 species in the Chippewa NF, 36 species in the St. Croix region, and 36 species in Southeast Minnesota were tested.• Twenty-nine species showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in at least one of the five study areas, and 23 species showed a significant decrease. The Least Flycatcher showed significant increases (P < 0.01) in two study areas and the American Robin increased in three study areas. The Eastern Wood-Pewee, Black-and-white Warbler, and Brown-headed Cowbird showed significant declines (P < 0.01) n two study areas and the Common Yellowthroat and White-throated Sparrow declined in three study areas.• Nine (18%) of the species tested in the Chequamegon NF had increasing trends and nine (18%) had decreasing trends. In the Chippewa NF, 12 (26%) of the species tested increased significantly and 10 (21%) decreased. Seven (18%) of the species tested in the Superior NF had significant increasing trends, and seven (18%) had decreasing trends. In the St. Croix study area, six (17%) of the species tested increased significantly, and seven (19%) decreased. In the Southeast, ten (28%) species increased significantly and three (8%) decreased.• The regional analysis of the three National Forests combined revealed five species (14%) with significant increases; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Redbreasted Nuthatch, American Robin, and American Redstart. Six species (17%) had significant decreases: Eastern Wood-Pewee, Ovenbird, Canada Warbler, Scarlet Tanager，Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow.• Over 70% of the decreasing species nest on the ground, which is significantly more than would be expected. Ground-nesting species that declined in multiple study areas, such as the White-throated Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white Warbler, and Ovenbird, warrant closer attention in the future.• Neither increasing nor decreasing species showed a relationship with any particular migration strategy, although no permanent residents declined significantly.• The abundance of many species varied over the survey period but did not show significant increases or decreases. A common thread among many species was a decline in abundance between 1994 and 1996, with an increase from 1996 to 1998. The reason for this pattern is unclear, but it may be related to winter and spring weather.Item Breeding bird monitoring in Great Lakes National Forests: 1991-2001(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2001) Lind, Jim; Danz, Nicholas P; Jones, Malcolm T; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald J• A total of 135, 168, and 133 stands (1,268 survey points) were surveyed for breeding birds in the Chippewa, Superior, and Chequamegon National Forests, respectively. Eleven years of surveys have been completed in the Chippewa and Superior NF, and ten years in the Chequamegon NF. • Breeding bird surveys in the St. Croix region of Minnesota have been conducted over the past ten years at 171 points. Surveys in southeast Minnesota have been conducted over the past seven years at 211 points. • We were able to examine trends in abundance for 77 bird species in at least one of the five study areas. Fifty species in the Chequamegon NF, 49 species in the Chippewa NF, 41 species in the Superior NF, 39 species in the St. Croix region, and 40 species in Southeast Minnesota were tested for population trends. Thirty- five species were also tested for a regional trend (three national forests combined). • Twenty-six species increased significantly (P > 0.05) in at least one study area and 32 species decreased. Two species had highly significant (P < 0.01) increasing trends in multiple study areas, and seven species had highly significant decreasing trends in multiple study areas. Four species had significant increasing regional trends and 11 had decreasing trends. • The most convincing increasing trends were those of the Red-breasted Nuthatch and American Redstart regionally and in the Chippewa NF, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckcer and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in the Chequamegon NF, the Chestnutsided Warbler in the Chippewa NF, the Northern Parula in the Superior NF, and the Least Flycatcher in the St. Croix region. Eight other species had highly significant trends in southeastern Minnesota, albeit with a shorter time span than the northern sites. • The most convincing decreasing trends are those of the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Winter Wren, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, and Song Sparrow regionally, the Eastern Wood-Pewee in the Chequamegon and Superior NF, the Winter Wren in the Chequamegon NF, the Song Sparrow in the Chippewa NF, the Hermit Thrush in the Chequamegon and Chippewa NF, and the Black-and-white Warbler in the Chequamegon NF, Superior NF and St. Croix region. The Brown-headed Cowbird decreased in southeastern Minnesota during the six years of monitoring there. • The percentage of increasing species in each study area ranged from 13% in St. Croix, MN study area to 28% in Southeast MN. The percentage of decreasing species ranged from 20% in Southeast MN to 31% in the Chippewa NF. Over half the species in each study area had a non-significant trend (P > 0.05). • There are 17 instances where a species showed a significant increase in a particular study area in results from 2000, with no increase noted in 2001, and 11 instances where a species was not increasing in 2000 and is increasing in 2001. Conversely, there are five instances where a decreasing species in a particular study area from 2000 is no longer showing a significant decrease, and 25 instances where a species was not decreasing in 2000 and is decreasing in 2001. • Ten of the 35 species that were tested for a regional trend had similar trends on Breeding Bird Survey routes. One species had an increasing regional trend and an increasing BBS trend, three species had decreasing trends on both, and six species had non-significant trends on both. • When compared to all species tested, ground nesters were more prevalent among decreasing species (33% vs. 48%) and less prevalent among increasing species (33% vs. 19%), however the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.069). Evidence from other regional studies have demonstrated greater nest predation rates on ground nests near forest edges, as well as a significant increase in the creation of forest edges in recent years. Landscape fragmentation and nest predation may be having negative effects on declining ground-nesters such as the Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, and Song Sparrow. • Averaged over all study areas, 10.6% of the points have been harvested since the beginning of monitoring, which is about 1% a year. This is comparable to the 4.8% change from mature forest to early-successional types on federally managed forest lands in northeastern Minnesota between 1990 and 1995.Item Breeding bird monitoring in Great Lakes National Forests: 1991-2006(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2007) Etterson, Matthew; Danz, Nicholas P; Lind, Jim; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald J• A total of 132, 133, and 164 stands (1,254 survey points) were surveyed for breeding birds in the Chequamegon, Chippewa, and Superior National Forests (NF), respectively in 2006. Annual surveys have been conducted since 1991 in the Chippewa and Superior NF, and since 1992 in the Chequamegon NF. • Comprehensive surveys of vegetation structure were carried out on 93, 74, and 63 points in the Chequamegon, Chippewa, and Superior NFs, respectively, on over 50 observer-days of sampling. Monitoring personnel on the Chippewa and Superior NFs provided excellent assistance in the coordination and completion of this effort. • Trends in relative abundance were calculated for 72 bird species, including 57 species in the Chequamegon NF, 57 in the Chippewa NF, and 49 in the Superior NF. Thirty-nine species were also tested for a pooled trend by combining data from the three national forests. • A total of 163 species/national forest trends were calculated in 2006 (not including pooled trends), 68 (42%) of which were significant (P ≤ 0.05). Twenty three species increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in at least one national forest and 24 species decreased. Eleven species had significant increasing pooled trends and 11 had decreasing trends. Of the 158 species/national forest trends calculated in 2005, 19 (12%) changed in 2006. • The percent of increasing species on each national forest ranged from 9% in the Chequamegon NF, to 25% in the Chippewa NF. The percent of decreasing species ranged from 20% in the Superior NF, to 28% in the Chequamegon NF. • The short-distance migrant guild showed highly significant declines on all national forests. Long-distance migrants also declined on all national forests. Permanent residents increased on the Chippewa and Superior NF and in the pooled NFs, but were stable on the Chequamegon NF. • The ground nesting guild showed highly significant declines on all national forests. Shrub/sub-canopy nesters increased on Chippewa NF, but were stable in Chequamegon and Superior NFs. Canopy nesters increased in Chquamegon NF and cavity-nesters increased in Chippwa and Superior NFs. All nesting guilds showed significant trends in the pooled NFs with increases in shrub/subcanopy-nesters and cavity-nesters and decreases in ground- and canopy-nesters. • The deciduous and mixed forest bird guilds declined on the Chequamegon and Superior NFs and the pooled NFs. The lowland coniferous forest bird guild declined on the Chippewa NF and the pooled NFs. The early-successional bird guild increased on the Chippewa NF and the upland coniferous bird guild increased on the Chippewa and Superior NFs as well as in the pooled NFs. • Evidence from previous regional studies have demonstrated greater nest predation rates on ground nests near forest/clearcut edges, as well as a significant increase in the creation of forest edges in recent years. Increasing amounts of forest edge and nest predation may be having negative effects on declining ground-nesters such as the Winter Wren, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Ovenbird, and White-throated Sparrow. • Of the 1274 survey sites on the three national forests, 15.5% have been at least partially harvested since the beginning of monitoring, which is about 1% a year. This harvest rate is comparable to the documented 4.8% change from mature forest to early-successional types on federally managed forest lands in northeastern Minnesota between 1990 and 1995 (i.e., ~1% annual change). Thus, it appears that management activities on our sample sites are representative of the national forests as a whole, and that the trends we are documenting are probably occurring across the regional landscape. • Many of the declining trends that we have detected appear to be consistent across years instead of being due to a few years with very low or high abundance. One of the main goals of this monitoring program is to identify potential declines of forest bird species, especially for species of conservation concern such as the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Ovenbird, and White-throated Sparrow. The declines observed over the past years for common species such as the Ovenbird and White-throated Sparrow are a continuing concern and special management consideration should be given to these species.Item Breeding Bird Monitoring in Western Great Lakes National Forests: 1991-2008(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2009) Niemi, Gerald J; Danz, Nicholas P; Peterson, Anna; Linne-Dolan, Paul; Etterson, MatthewA total of 425 existing stands were surveyed for breeding birds including 131, 126, and 168 stands (1,298 survey points) in the Chequamegon, Chippewa, and Superior National Forests (NFs), respectively in 2008.Item Breeding Birds of Deep Portage Learning Center - 2016 Hackensack, Minnesota 56452(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Niemi, Gerald J; Peterson, Debbie; Grinde, Alexis R; Bednar, Joshua D; Schutte, SaraThe Avian Research program at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) of the University of Minnesota, Duluth has developed a spatial technique to sample breeding birds over a large heterogeneous landscape in northern Minnesota’s forested regions. We currently have sampled 10 of these one square mile research plots among diverse ownership and areas that range from the Chippewa National Forest to Pine County to extreme northeastern Minnesota. Hence, Deep Portage represents the 11th such plot and the second in a nature, learning center environment; the other one being Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Isabella, MN. Many of these research plots were originally sampled in the mid-1990’s. They provide a solid baseline on the spatial distribution of breeding birds within forest stands, but more importantly the landscape context of those forest stands with respect to patch size and edges. The vast majority of research on breeding bird populations and distributions have focused on individual stands, but not on the entire landscape. Our overall goal is to increase understanding on how individual bird species use different forest cover types and landscapes in different ecological regions of the forested zone of Minnesota. Our specific objective here was to sample the distribution and abundance of breeding birds in a large landscape of the western, forested region in Minnesota, but also one under active forest management. Here we present the results of sampling in June 2016 and compare with a previous sampling of the Deep Portage area by Wieland over a four year period from 2004-2007.Item Effects of Soil Compaction and Organic Matter Removal on Ground-flora Diversity in the Great Lakes Forests(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1996) Host, George ESoil is one of the key factors regulating the productivity and diversity of forest ecosystems. Soil organic matter resulting from the decomposition of leaf litter provides an important reservoir of nutrients for future forest growth. The structure of soils, in conjunction with soil texture, determines the ability of a soil to retain moisture. Forest harvest operations, through the use of heavy equipment and slash management practices, have the potential to damage soil structure and remove organic matter from the forest floor. We lack a clear understanding, however, of which soil types are most susceptible, and what degree of impact soils can sustain before the potential productivity and diversity are reduced. To address this issue, a nationwide Long-Tenn Soil Productivity (LTSP) study was initiated to assess the effects of logging operations on the structure and organic matter content of forest soils (Powers et al. 1990). In the Lake States, study plots were installed on the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Huron National Forests. These plots represent the range of soil textures which occur across the Lake States: silt loams, clays, and sands, respectively. Using an experimental approach, different levels of soil compaction and organic matter removal were applied to harvested aspen stands across this soil gradient. Aspen reproduction, forest biomass, and the diversity of the ground-flora layers are being monitored on an annual or biennial basis to assess their response to these treatments. The results of this experiment will allow us to predict the degree of protection required to sustain productivity and floristic diversity in aspen stands across a range of common Lake State soil types. The Lake States LTSP study has included an analysis of floristic diversity to the suite of measurements made on the study plots. Biodiversity and forest management has become a critical issue in the Lake States Forests. In Minnesota's Generic Environmental Impact Statement, diversity was one of the key focal issues. Ground-flora has received wide use in ecological indicators and in ecological land classification systems across the Great Lakes (Spies and Barnes 1986, Host and Pregitzer 1991, Coffmann et al. 1983, Shadis et al. 1995). A primary objective of this study was assess the response of the ground-flora community to the soil compaction and organic matter removal treatments within the LTSP study. This response can be assessed not only on a year-by-year basis, but also in describing the rate and trajectory of recovery toward the compositional state of the uncut forest.Item Floristic Differences in Permanent Openings among Ecological Land Units and after Fire(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1994) Host, George EPermanent openings are an integral part of the Forest Plan on the Chippewa National Forest. There are established across a range of ecological units using numerous methods. It is unclear, however, how floristic composition changes as a function of site or establishment method, or how quickly these changes occur. The objective of this study were: 1) To assess differences in the species composition of permanent openings among Landtype Associations (LTAs). 2) To assess the effects of mechanical treatments on species composition. 3) To assess the effects of fire on species composition, particularly on woody vegetation.Item Leech Lake Area Summer Visitor Profile: A focus on interest in culture and nature based experiences(University of Minnesota Tourism Center, 2004) Schneider, Ingrid E.; Salk, Raintry J.Item Minnesota National Forest Breeding Bird Monitoring Program Annual Report 1995–2022(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2022-12) Grinde, Alexis R; Siebers, Reid; Kolbe, Stephen; Bednar, Joshua DThe Avian Ecology Lab at the Natural Resources Research Institute completed the 28th year of Minnesota's National Forest Breeding Bird Monitoring Program in 2022. These data have provided insight into the impacts of forest management on breeding bird populations and informed the development of management policies and conservation initiatives. This report summarizes forest bird monitoring data gathered from 1995 through 2022. Here we summarize the current status of species trends and overall trends for migration, habitat, and nesting guilds. We focus our discussion on species of conservation importance in the state to provide an ecological context and discuss management implications of the observed patterns in the region for these species.Item Monitoring Bird Populations on National Forest Lands: 1994(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1994) Hawrot, Rita Y; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald J; Lima, Ann RA habitat specific bird monitoring program was established on the Chequamegon, Chippewa, and Superior National Forests in 1991 and 1992 (Chequamegon National Forest). The program was designed to assess annual differences in bird relative abundance, and to attribute changes in numbers to habitat changes on the forest, or to natural fluctuations in bird numbers. Data collected from 1991 to 1994 or 1992 to 1994 have provided information on annual variation among guilds and individual species, and on relative densities of species within representative cover types on the Forests. A total of ten species (all Forests total) showed significant trends during the monitoring period. The White and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, and Yellow-rumped Warbler increased in abundance over all years; while Swamp and Chipping Sparrows, Brown Creeper, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and Hairy Woodpecker decreased in abundance over all years. No simple explanation can be offered for a particular trend in annual variation; however, it is important to note that the monitoring activity is beginning to reach a state of longevity where trends are can be detected. Trends or lack thereof of trends will be useful in resolving potential problems within a National Forest or to support conclusions that a problem does not exist. This information can be used to aid forest management by providing information on forest cover types. Based on power analysis, a sufficient sampling regime is in place to detect reasonable changes in abundance for many forest birds, including many neotropical migrants.Item Monitoring Bird Populations on National Forest Lands: 1995(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1995) Hawrot, Rita Y; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Lima, Ann R; Niemi, Gerald JA habitat specific bird monitoring program was established on the Chequamegon, Chippewa, and Superior National Forests in 1991 and 1992 (Chequamegon National Forest). The program was designed to assess annual differences in bird relative abundances and to eventually distinguish between larger-scale trends and small-scale shifts in abundance. Data collected from 1991 to 1995 or 1992 to 1995 have provided information on annual variation and trends over time for individual species and community parameters and relative abundance within representative cover types on the Forests. A total of 16 species (all Forests total) had significant linear trends during the monitoring period. The Great-crested Flycatcher, Blue Jay, Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, Veery, Brown Thrasher, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canada Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, and Evening Grosbeak increased in abundance over all years; while the Hairy Woodpecker, Winter Wren, Red-eyed Vireo, and Indigo Bunting decreased in abundance over all years. The Red-eyed Vireo also had a decreasing trend in the Ottawa National Forest and decreased consistently in the Apostle Island National Lakeshore. No single explanation can be offered for a particular trend in annual variation; however; it is important to note that the monitoring activity has reached a state of longevity where trends can be detected. Trends or lack thereof of trends will be useful in resolving potential problems within a National Forest or to support conclusions that a problem does not exist. Results from the monitoring can be used to aid forest managers by providing information on bird/habitat associations within forest cover types. Based on power analysis, a sufficient sampling regime is in place to detect reasonable changes in abundance for many forest birds, including many neotropical migrants.Item Monitoring Bird Populations on National Forest Lands: Chippewa National Forest, 1991(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1991) Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald JMuch concern has recently been expressed over possible declines in many birds that breed in eastern North America. Probable causes of such declines are varied, but generally can be attributed to events occurring on both the breeding and/or wintering grounds. Possible influences affecting birds in both regions are changes in habitat structure, including loss of forest habitat, conversion from natural to managed stands, and changes in climate. Changes in bird populations reflect local, regional, and larger scale phenomena; thus, birds may serve as indicators of environmental change that influence the structure and composition of entire ecosystems. In general, the consequences of changes in habitat structure on birds and other wildlife probably have been large but are poorly understood. The composition of bird communities in forests of Minnesota is determined by the dynamic interaction of many factors, including disturbance (e.g., logging, fire, wind), weather (e.g., drought), and habitat (e.g., successional change). Minnesota once was covered by a diverse mix of forested and non-forested habitats. Over the past century, this naturally diverse State has been greatly altered; no longer do extensive stands of undisturbed (by humans) forest remain. Increasing demands on forest resources have the potential to further transform forest cover in Minnesota. Many bird species that breed in the State depend on forest habitats (see Green 1991) during all or part of their life cycle; loss or alteration of forests can have profound consequences on the populations of many species. To understand the effects of different environmental influences (habitat alteration, climate change) on birds, it will be necessary to develop a comprehensive monitoring program that will allow us to detect changes in bird populations. Our objectives for this study in the past year (1991) were to: (1) establish bird monitoring programs in the Chippewa and Superior National Forests; (2) monitor abundance of selected indicator bird species that have been specified by each Forest; (3) monitor abundance of common bird species in each respective Forest; (4) compare point count data gathered in interior forests to data collected along roadsides in the Chippewa, Superior and Chequamegon National Forests; (5) work with NCFES and other Forest Service personnel to coordinate data gathering, data entry, and analyses; and (6) begin refining avian/habitat relationships used to assess forest management activities on breeding bird abundance and distribution.Item Monitoring Bird Populations on National Forest Lands: Chippewa National Forest, 1992(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1992) Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald JA habitat specific bird monitoring was established on the Chippewa National Forest in 1991 (see Hanowski and Niemi 1991a, 1992). The objectives of the program were to: (1) establish the physical layout of the monitoring program (2) monitor abundance of indicator bird species that have been specified by the Forest; (3) monitor abundance of common bird species in the Forest; and (4) begin refining avian/habitat relationships used to assess forest management activities on breeding bird abundance and distribution. Additional goals for 1992 monitoring were to: (1) make statistical comparisons between 1991 and 1992 bird abundance; (2) determine the power of statistical analyses in terms of detecting annual differences for a variety of bird community, guild, and species specific parameters; and (3) explore similarities and differences in habitat data collected and the U.S. Forest Service forest types.Item Monitoring Bird Populations on National Forest Lands: Chippewa National Forest, 1993(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1993) Montgomery, Kent; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Lima, Ann R; Niemi, Gerald JA habitat specific bird monitoring program was established on the Chippewa National Forest in 1991 (see Hanowski and Niemi 1991b, 1992b). The objectives of the program were to: (1) establish the physical layout of the monitoring program (2) monitor abundance of indicator bird species that have been specified by the Forest; (3) monitor abundance of common bird species in the Forest; and (4) begin refining avian/habitat relationships used to assess forest management activities on breeding bird abundance and distribution. Additional goals implemented during 1992 were to: (1) determine the power of statistical analyses in terms of detecting annual differences for a variety of bird community, guild, and species specific parameters; and (2) explore similarities and differences in habitat data collected and the U.S. Forest Service forest types. Objectives for 1993 focused on making statistical comparisons between 1991, 1992, and 1993 bird abundance.Item Monitoring Bird Populations on Three Great Lakes National Forests: 1991-1996(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1996) Hawrot, Rita Y; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Lima, Ann R; Niemi, Gerald JA habitat specific bird monitoring program was established on the Chippewa and Superior National Forests in 1991 and the Chequamegon National Forest in 1992. The program was designed to assess annual differences in bird relative abundances and to eventually distinguish between larger-scale trends and small-scale shifts in abundance. Data collected through 1996 have provided information on annual variation and trends over time for individual species and community parameters and relative abundance within representative cover types on the Forests. A total of 19 species (all national forests combined) had significant linear trends (P less than or equal to 0.05 for linear contrast) from 1991 or 1992 to 1996. Fourteen out of 19 (74%) increased and five (26%) decreased in abundance. In the Chequamegon, 10 out of 13 species (77%) increased from 1992 - 1996 and three species (23 % ) decreased during that time period. Six out of nine species ( 67 % ) increased from 1991 - 1996 in the Chippewa and nine species (33%) decreased. In the Superior, five species (83%) increased over the period of the monitoring and one species (17%) decreased from 1991 - 1996. Four species had the same significant linear trends in two out of three of the national forests: the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker increased in the Chequamegon and Superior National Forests; the Blue Jay increased in the Chequamegon and Chippewa National Forests; the Ovenbird increased in the Chippewa and Superior National Forests; and the Purple Finch decreased in the Chippewa and Superior National Forest. One species, the Hermit Thrush, had the same increasing trend in all three national forests. A change in methodology in 1994 (sampling within a limited radius vs an unlimited radius) is likely responsible for increases in 10 out of 19 (53%) species. A single explanation can not be offered for the _significant trends in the other species. Results from the monitoring can be used to aid forest managers by providing information on bird/habitat associations within forest cover types. Trends from long-term monitoring will be useful in resolving potential problems within a national forest or to support conclusions that a problem does not exist. Cumulative number of species that have a total number of observations of at least 25 (rare species) increases with each year of monitoring. Based on power analysis, a sufficient sampling regime is in place to detect reasonable changes in abundance for many forest birds, including many neotropical migrants.Item National Interagency Canada Lynx Detection Survey in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2006) Burdett, Christopher L.; Lindquist, Ed; Moen, Ronald; Niemi, Gerald J; Route, BillA variety of non-invasive techniques including hair snagging, snow-tracking, and remote cameras can be used to monitor mammalian carnivores. The National Interagency Canada Lynx Detection Survey (NLDS) was a survey designed to detect lynx with a hair-snagging protocol applied throughout the conterminous U.S. range of the lynx. Hare-snagging stations consisted of a scent lure, a carpet piece with nails to snag hair, and a pie tin to attract the cat’s attention. We applied the NLDS protocol in the Superior and Chippewa National Forests in Minnesota, the Chequamegon and Nicolet National Forests in Wisconsin, and the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan. Mammalian species detected included black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes (Canis latrans), ungulates, and other canids. The NLDS did not detect lynx in the Great Lakes Geographic Area (GLGA) despite their likely presence on some of the Minnesota NLDS grids. We also opportunistically set up hair snagging stations in areas in Minnesota where we knew lynx were present to further test the efficacy of hair-snagging stations. We had limited success using hair snares to selectively sample for lynx despite placing snares in areas regularly used by lynx. We suspect the detection probability for lynx hair-snagging surveys in the GLGA may be low and other survey techniques may prove more useful, particularly for localized selective sampling for lynx presence.