Short-term forest management effects on a long-lived ectotherm.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Wildlife Conservation
• Forestry

Background:

• Timber harvesting significantly alters forest ecosystems.
• Ectotherms, like the eastern box turtle, are sensitive to microclimatic changes.
• Understanding habitat alteration impacts is crucial for species management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immediate effects of timber harvests on ectotherm behavior and thermal ecology.
• To use the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) as a model species.
• To assess behavioral and thermal responses to clearcuts and group selection openings.

Main Methods:

• Radiotelemetry was used to monitor movement and thermal ecology of 50 adult box turtles over four years (2 years pre-harvest, 2 years post-harvest).
• Data collection occurred from May to October in the Central Hardwoods Region of the U.S.
• Home range, daily movement distances, and thermal optima were analyzed in relation to timber harvest activities.

Main Results:

• Annual home ranges did not significantly differ post-harvest but were larger than previous estimates.
• Daily movement distances decreased, while thermal optima increased after timber harvests.
• Harvested areas exhibited warmer monthly average temperatures (up to 13°C), exposing turtles to extreme heat (around 40°C).
• Turtles exhibited shorter, more frequent movements into and out of harvest areas, maintaining higher body temperatures (9% increase).

Conclusions:

• Small-scale timber harvests can cause local thermal ecology effects on ectotherms, even in contiguous forests.
• Altered microclimates in harvested areas influence ectotherm behavior and physiology.
• Findings inform conservation and management strategies for temperature-dependent species facing climate change and habitat alteration.