Relationships between economic profitability and habitat quality of Siberian jay in uneven-aged Norway spruce forest

In the southern and central parts of Finland, Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus) lives in large non-fragmented spruce-dominated forests. Due to the reduction of such forests, Siberian jay has disappeared from the southern parts of Finland. This study analyzed continuous-cover uneven-aged forest management as a way to maintain Siberian jay habitats simultaneously with timber production. Continuous cover management is able to provide the necessary spatial and temporal continuity of forest features important to the viability of Siberian jay populations. The study analyzed the relationship between habitat quality of Siberian jay and profitability of uneven-aged management of Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands. Profitability was evaluated by the net present value of timber sales, calculated with 2% discount rate. The results showed that uneven-aged management that maximizes economic profitability is not seriously in conflict with the maintenance of feeding habitats; there was a temporary decline in habitat quality after the cutting treatment but the decline was not drastic and the habitat recovered during the 15-year cutting cycle. Maintenance of nesting habitat reduced the profitability of timber production by 50–60% and wood production was decreased by 23%. Since nesting habitats cover only some tens of hectares within a home range of 200–500 ha, the impact of habitat maintenance on timber production would be rather small in continuous cover forest management.

► Habitat suitability index for Siberian jay was developed and used in optimization.
► Uneven-aged spruce stand management was optimized with habitat quality constraints.
► Uneven-aged management enabled profitable forestry and feeding habitat maintenance.
► Nesting habitat maintenance was more in conflict with profitable timber production.