Assessing the Effects of Timber Management on Mammal and Bird Communities at Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

Project Abstract

Introduction

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR) is largely comprised of Bottomland Hardwood forests, which are characterized by floodplains and swamps at low elevations (Cahalan 1985). The CRNWR also has some of the last remaining xerohydric flatwoods (USFW 2025). Ecologically, these two systems are important as their hydric conditions support a unique suite of flora and fauna (Lee et al. 2017). Moreover, prior research suggests that BHFs help sustain deer populations in agricultural areas (Zwank et al. 1979), like Western Kentucky. Thus, conserving these BHFs is also economically important, as many states make upwards of $50 million in annual funds from deer permits to hunt public lands alone (Knoche and Lupi 2012). The CRNWR implemented a timber management plan in 2019. The primary objective of these plans is to maintain a healthy bottomland hardwood forest by thinning overpopulated areas, improving plantations that were planted historically, and promoting desirable species such as oaks and hickories. Though the plan is largely focused on migratory birds, other wildlife are likely to be influenced by the management as well. Given this, we started sampling the mammal community throughout.

CRNWR using camera trapping in fall 2019 within areas where timber prescriptions were and were not planned. Sampling has occurred during most fall and spring seasons since 2019, and we have also sampled the bird community using acoustic recording in spring 2021 and 2022. Now that much of the timber management plan has been implemented, the goal of our study is to continue these sampling efforts in spring 2026 to evaluate the influence of timber management on the mammal and bird communities at CRNWR.

Objective/Hypothesis

Objective 1: Determine the effects of timber management on the relative abundance of mammals overall and at the species level at CRNWR. I hypothesize timber management will influence the relative abundance of mammals overall and at the species level. I predict the relative abundance of mammals overall will be greater in the managed areas and that the effects on the relative abundance at the species level will vary relative to each species’ life history. Objective 2: Assess the influence of timber management on mammal and bird communities at CRNWR. I hypothesize timber management will influence the mammalian and bird communities. Specifically, I expect overall community occupancy to be greater in areas that have been managed. Occupancy at the species level will vary relative to each species’ life history.

Funding Type

Research Grant

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Area/Major/Minor

Wildlife Biology

Degree

Bachelor's in Wildlife Biology

Classification

Junior

Name

Dr. Andrea Darracq

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

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