Assessing Impact of Hurricane Rita on Habitat Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) Clusters in Angelina National Forest, Texas

摘要

Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) habitat on the northern portion of the Angelina National Forest is composed primarily of loblolly and shortleaf pine with a significant hardwood component, especially in the midstory. Intensive management of RCW habitat in Angelina National Forest in Texas is a priority for this endangered species. The research inventoried downed timber in endangered red-cockaded woodpecker clusters on the Angelina National Forest in Texas following Hurricane Rita and utilized a geographic information system to analyze and display data to assess RCW habitat. In the Bannister Wildlife Management Unit of the Angelina National Forest, pine trees either uprooted or snapped by Hurricane Rita in September 2005 were located and mapped to the nearest meter using either a Trimble ProXRS GPS Unit or a Juno ST handheld GPS unit. Data taken for each pine included diameter at 4.5 feet, height of pine, height to limbs, crown width, species, direction of disturbance, cause of disturbance and associated insect and disease signs and symptoms.