Browsing by Subject "Superior National Forest"
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Item Boreal Owl: Its Habitat and Prey in the Superior National Forest (Final Report to USDA/Forest Service, Superior National Forest)(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2003) Niemi, Gerald JVegetation characteristics surrounding Boreal Owl (Aegolius fimereus) breeding sites in no1theastern Minnesota were examined during 2000-2001. Data collected during 1987-1990 were combined with the 2000-2001 data and all sampling methods were standardized. During nocturnal surveys, 42 individual Boreal Owl singing territories were located. Vegetation was sampled at 0.04 ha plots surrounding Boreal Owl song perches. Identical measurements were taken at one random plot, which was paired with a song plot. The majority (93%) of song perches were located in coniferous species. Boreal Owl song sites had high basal area of both live and dead trees, higher percent coniferous canopy and a taller overstory canopy than those of random locations. Using Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite imagery, I compared the proportion of 13 land cover classes within 100 m (3.13ha), 500 m (78.14 ha), 1000 m (312.57 ha), 2000 m (1,256.27 ha), and 5000 m (7,814.17 ha) radii concentric circular plots surrounding cavity trees (N = 31) with random locations (N = 41) distributed throughout the SNF. Land cover differences between cavity and random locations were significant at all buffer levels. Upland mixed and upland conifer forests were significantly higher surrounding cavity locations, pmticularly within 100 m - 1000 m (P < 0.05). Lowland conifer stands were significantly higher (P < 0.05) surrounding cavity locations, particularly at larger landscape levels (> 1000 m).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 Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) in Minnesota: Road Use and Movements within the Home Range(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2012) Terwilliger, Lauren; Moen, RonaldResponses of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) to linear corridors, particularly roads and trails, depend on geographic area, individual lynx, road characteristics and local habitat. Roads and trails may benefit lynx by increasing both the ease and speed of travel between use areas. However, proximity to roads may increase the probability of lynx-human interactions and the risk of mortality from vehicle collisions and incidental human-caused mortality. In Minnesota, lynx frequently travel along and cross roads and trails, and proximity to road features occurs both within home ranges and during long-distance movements outside of established territories. The use of linear features by lynx was assessed within seasonal home ranges based on about 4,500 GPS locations from 7 lynx collected during a 6 year radiotelemetry study in the Superior National Forest. Within home ranges, lynx were closer to roads than both water or wetland features, and about 3% of locations occurred on roads/trails. As expected, male lynx had faster movement rates and larger home ranges than female lynx. Although the sample size was small preventing statistical analysis, movement rates were faster for consecutive locations on a road/trail than locations not on a road/trail for female lynx, but similar for male lynx. Distance to roads/trails decreased with increasing road density; however movement rate was not affected by road/trail density which was similar among individuals, home ranges and seasons. Road crossings were also not related to road density, and were proportionate to the total length of various road surface types present within a home range. Finally, distance to roads/trails did not differ between actual locations and random locations. This suggested that lynx were not selecting for or against roads within their home ranges, although within 25 m of a road/trail lynx were closer to roads than random expectation. It appears that the consistent road density across the study area (< 2 km/km2) may account for the lack of relationship between road density and lynx use of roads. It is also probable that lynx use roads/trails within home ranges for more than just movement, potentially foraging along road corridors. Interactions with prey, and encounters with human activities, vehicles and competitors near roads and trails likely explains why movement rates were not increased by road/trail presence. The frequency of lynx occurrence near roads within the home range and during long-distance movements indicates that lynx in Minnesota are occasionally vulnerable to mortality associated with roads. The extent of this potential threat to lynx in Minnesota is unknown.Item Growth Rates and Variances of Unexploited Wolf Populations in Dynamic Equilibria: Data, R Code, and Supporting Results(2014-07-18) Fieberg, John R; Mech, David; jfieberg@umn.edu; Fieberg, John RThese files contain data and R code (along with associated output from running the code) supporting all results reported in: Mech, D. and J. Fieberg. 2014. Growth Rates and Variances of Unexploited Wolf Populations in Dynamic Equilibria. Wildlife Society Bulletin. In Mech and Fieberg (2014), we analyzed natural, long-term, wolf-population-density trajectories totaling 130 years of data from three areas: Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, Michigan; the east-central Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota; and Denali National Park, Alaska. We fit density-independent and Ricker models to each time series, allowing for 3 different assumptions regarding observation error (no error, Poisson or Log-normal observation error). We suggest estimates of the population-dynamic parameters can serve as benchmarks for comparison with those calculated from other wolf populations repopulating other areas.Item Information System Data Collection Protocol Development Project. Final Report.(Center for Community & Regional Research, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota, Duluth., 1994) Fleischman, William AThe process of managing forest land under multiple use objectives requires a wide range of activities. Providing information is one of those activities and it spans the entire range of units in the Forest Service. While the provision of information is important, it is often considered to be a task that is of lesser importance than other tasks that are perceived to be more directly related to production goals. Further, the provision of information is often viewed as a simple task. That is, if the information is provided that is all that is necessary. In fact, the provision of information has at least five dimensions: the sender, the message, the channel, the receiver, and the setting in which the information exchange takes place. Because the process -of providing information is complex, the evaluation of the process and the evaluation of the results are tasks that require considerable attention. The evaluation processes can be facilitated by the development of a protocol for collecting data which will provide a basis for improving the information providing process. The orienting questions for the development of a protocol that can be used to evaluate the information providing process are: (1) HOW IS THE FOREST SERVICE DOING PROVIDING INFORMATION TO RECREATION USERS? (2) HOW DOES ONE KNOW THAT?Item Logging History Maps Annotated by Miron Heinselman(2014) Heinselman, Miron L.; Trygg, J. W.; United States Department of Agriculture; United States Forest ServiceThe Logging History Maps are maps annotated by Miron "Bud" Heinselman and J.W. "Bill" Trygg. The maps were given to the University of Minnesota by the author in 1992. The maps were used by the author for his book, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (University of Minnesota Press, 1996).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, 1995-12) Hawrot, Rita Y; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Lima, Ann R; Niemi, Gerald JItem 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: Superior 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: Superior National Forest, 1992(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1993) Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald JA habitat specific bird monitoring was established on the Chippewa National Forest in 1991 (see Hanowski and Niemi 1991a, 1992a). 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: Superior National Forest, 1993(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1993) Pearson, Carol W; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Lima, Ann R; Niemi, Gerald JA habitat specific bird monitoring program was established on the Superior National Forest in 1991 (see Hanowski and Niemi 1991, 1993). The objectives of the program were: (1) to establish the physical layout of the monitoring program; (2) to monitor the abundance of indicator bird species specified by the Forest; (3) to monitor the abundance of common bird species on the Forest; and (4) to begin refining avian/habitat relationships used to assess forest management activities on breeding bird abundance and distribution. Additional goals for 1992 monitoring were: (1) to make statistical comparisons between 1991 and 1992 bird abundance; (2) to determine the power of statistical analyses in terms of detecting annual differences for a variety of community, guild, and species specific parameters; and (3) to explore similarities and differences in habitat data collected and the U.S. Forest Service forest types. Added objectives for 1993 were: (1) to analyze avian population trends detected after three years of monitoring; and (2) to reassign forest types based on field inspection of stands identified in 1992 as having questionable forest type classifications.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.