Landscape-level canopy heterogeneity improves avian conservation value in Appalachian forests: Implications for dynamic forest restoration

Eastern deciduous forests in North America have become increasingly homogenous in age-structure and composition, paralleling widespread forest bird declines. Given growing evidence of dynamic habitat use patterns by forest birds, researchers have increasingly called for a dynamic approach to forest management aimed at diversifying age structure. However, few studies have been conducted at large spatial scales with landscape-level replication to evaluate the conservation effects of managing forests with such an approach. We paired forest bird and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data from 224 unique 600-ha landscapes to understand the effects of dynamic forest restoration on avian communities. Specifically, we used multi-scale, multi-species abundance models to understand effects of forest structure on individual species and community-wide conservation value by weighting each species by its conservation need. Finally, we predicted species’ abundance and community conservation value outcomes in response to a simulated dynamic forest restoration scenario. Across 73 species of forest birds, 24 species had a significant (at either 95 % or 80 % CBI) positive relationship with landscape-level canopy height heterogeneity. As such, avian conservation value in our simulated dynamic forest landscape was 7.9 % higher than in an unmanaged landscape. Site-level effects translated into 39.5 % higher avian conservation value in recent (0–6 year old) overstory removals, and conservation value remained high in both 7–20 year old overstory removals and shelterwoods. The simulated dynamic forest landscape benefitted species with seemingly opposing habitat needs ( e.g., Golden-winged Warblers [ Vermivora chrysoptera ] and Wood Thrushes [ Hylocichla mustelina ]). Our results underscore the value of dynamic forest restoration as a tool for promoting community-wide conservation of birds in Appalachian forests. • We used point counts and LiDAR to model avian community abundance. • We developed LiDAR-based simulations of landscape management scenarios. • Landscape-level variation in canopy height positively affected most species. • Simulated management to create dynamic forest conditions improved conservation value. • Dynamic forests benefit early-successional and many mature forest species.