An integration framework for linking avifauna niche and forest landscape models.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Forestry
• Climate Change Science

Background:

• Avian cavity nesters (ACN) serve as key indicators of forest health and diversity.
• Integrating climate, avian, and forest models is crucial for effective climate-adaptive management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and evaluate a framework for integrating avian niche models with a forest landscape model (LANDIS-II).
• To assess model transferability and the efficacy of integrating ACN niche models with FLM simulations for informing management decisions.

Main Methods:

• Linked two ACN niche models with the LANDIS-II forest landscape model.
• Evaluated model transferability to the Northern Rockies Ecoregion.
• Employed secondary Random Forest modeling to derive necessary variables from FLM outputs.

Main Results:

• Model selection for integration was influenced by transferability to the study area.
• Tested ACN models showed good transferability and fit for the study area.
• Integration of LANDIS-II simulations with avian niche models proved viable, even for models with limitations.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework is effective for integrating avifauna niche and forest ecosystem models.
• This integration can inform management of current and future landscapes under various climate and management scenarios.
• The framework provides spatially explicit data crucial for identifying management focus areas, especially for irruptive species.