| This thesis explores whether various silvicultural treatments alter the sap-feeding habits of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Selection logging treatments included recently cut single-tree, intensive group, typical group, and uncut reference. Logging did not alter how far sapsuckers travelled to sapwell trees but selection for various sapwell tree characteristics varied between treatments. The intensive group selection treatment allowed for sapwell trees with characteristics most similar to the reference treatment, followed by typical group, and single-tree selection treatments. These results illustrate that sapwell tree selection was minimally affected by logging, and where changes occurred, there were no significant impacts on sapsucker fitness. Despite this, I found strong evidence that logging increased nest depredation rates by American black bears (Ursus americana). Retaining bear-resistant trees with hard outer bark appears to be of greater importance than the retention of sapwell trees with specific features for managing Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.;Keywords: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius, single-tree selection silviculture, group-selection silviculture, forest management, foraging behaviour, foraging distance, sap feeding. |
