Jorge Valenzuela

Forest Harvest Effects on Bird Communities in Chiloé Archipelagos: Implications in Small, Medium and Large Island Respect to Human Activities

Chiloé Island.

The harvest of Chiloe’s forests, from the 17th century, threatens the island’s biodiversity. In addition, recent aquaculture development has expanded human population throughout the archipelago, leading to increased degradation of recently intact forests. The primary problems of forest harvest are loss of habitat, increased erosion, and groundwater depletion. The majority of islands have been deforested; however, some have been only partially harvested, while few remain intact. Information on the effects of timber harvest on bird communities is scarce, and subsequently, land managers lack the needed information and tools necessary to make informed management decisions.

We propose to study forest associated bird communities across a gradient of disturbance from heavily harvested to intact woods to determine the effects of timber harvest on bird communities. Results will be provided to our federal government and land managers to assist in making well informed management decisions.

For more information contact jvalenzu@cecpan.org or go to www.cecpan.org