Distribution and Habitat of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Big Cypress National Preserve
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Material Information

Title:
Distribution and Habitat of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Big Cypress National Preserve Report T-613
Creator:
South Florida Natural Resources Center
Patterson, Gary A.
Robertson, William B., Jr.
Place of Publication:
Homestead (Fla.)
Publisher:
South Florida Natural Resources Center
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Notes

Abstract:
Surveys in 1979 and 1980 revealed that pine forests of the Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) support a sizable and largely unsuspected population of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, a federally-listed endangered species. We located 23 colonies, 18 of which were active. Twelve of the active colonies were north of the Tamiami Trail in the Collier Count portion of BICY and six were in the Lostmans Pines section in Monroe County. ecause large areas of apparently prime habitat are yet to be searched, we estimate that the minimum population in BICY is 40 active colonies. It is the southernmost, and probably the largest, of the four remaining local populations of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in southern Florida which are of viable size and have relatively secure habitat. As such, it represents a significant element in the total species population. All colony activity centers and nesting/roosting cavities were located in stands of old-growth slash pine, but birds from several colonies foraged primarily in cut-over areas of younger pines. Because pine logging operations left frequent small patches of original forest within the cut-over section, in addition to the substantial areas not touched by logging, habitat acceptable to Red-cockaded Woodpeckers now occurs throughout much of the pine forest area of BICY. However, survival of the colonies located in remnants of original forest within cut-over areas, about one-third of the known population, depends on the survival of enough of the mature pines until trees in the second-growth stands reach adequate size for woodpecker cavities. Severe fires which may kill mature pines and dense hardwood invasion of pine stands in the absence of fire seem to be the major ecological influences limiting available habitat. Habitat in BICY differs from that occupied by the species in most of its range in that the pines occur as island stands within an intricate mosaic of vegetation, rather than as extensive continuous orests. Physical characteristics of Red-cockaded Woodpecker colonies in BICY are generally similar to those reported in other studies, but preliminary observations suggest behavioral differences which may be related to the uneven distribution of foraging habitat. For example, the home range of individual clans may tend to be larger than the home ranges determined in studies elsewhere. Realization that the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers of BICY are a major, peripheral population unit of this endangered species emphasizes the need for completion of the population survey and initiation of biological studies. ( English )

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Holding Location:
Federal Documents Collection, Government Documents, Green Library, Florida International University
Rights Management:
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Classification:
I 29.95:T-613 ( sudocs )