Infosheet 23 - Woodlands and Wildlife
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Woodlots
- Farmstead Areas
Introduction
This infosheet provides background to Worksheet #23 of the Environmental
Farm Plan Workbook. It outlines options you could adopt to address problem
areas in your operation. In most cases you'll need more information before
implementation: please refer to the resource materials listed at the end
of the infosheet, and consult OMAFRA Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Technical
Advisors.
All options are classed as Actions or Compensating Factors. Actions address
the areas of concern identified, and will change the rating to (3) or
Best (4). Compensating Factors are alternatives that will adequately address
the concerns, but will not change the rating in the EFP worksheets. This
infosheet does not address the management of plantations or the Managed
Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP); this information is available elsewhere.
At the request of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, consisting
of Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers Federation of
Ontario, AGCare, and the Ontario Farm Animal Council, the following people
contributed to the development of Infosheet #23:
Ted Taylor, OMAFRA (chair)
Ed Reid, OFAH
John Irwin, MNR
Peter Doris, OCA
Jim Magee, OCA
Martin Neumann, GRCA
Technical Editing Committee:
Brent Kennedy, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA
The following people contributed to the revision (2004) of Infosheet
#23:
Peter Roberts/Elin Gwyn (Co-Chairs), OMAFRA
Bill Rose, OMNR
Cathy Nielson, OMNR
Ed Reid, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Peter Jeffery, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Todd Leuty, OMAFRA
Dave Chapeskie, OMAFRA
Dave Pridham, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
Janet Fraser AgCARE
John Oatway, MNR
Peter Jeffery, OFA
Lyle Friesen, Environment Canada - Canadian Wildlife Service
Technical Editing Committee:
H.J.Smith, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA
OMAFRA = Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
MNR = Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
CA = Conservation Authority
Woodlots
Issue: 23-1 Management
Woodlots benefit the environment in several ways: creating oxygen, transferring
carbon to the soil, keeping water tables in place, and reducing soil and
water runoff. You can also incorporate trees into farming systems (agroforestry)
to produce products such as veneer, timber, fuelwood, posts, poles, and
sugar products, nuts, and wood-producing timberbelts etc. which have on
and off farm value.
Woodlots, especially treed swamps can be one of the most important habitats
for wildlife on farmland.
By clearing woodlots and using the land for intensive agriculture, you
risk degrading fragile land by wind and water erosion. In dry areas, woodlot
removal may cause soil loss and water tables to drop; in wet areas, water
tables can rise to the surface.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
Develop and follow a forest management plan for profit, wildlife habitat,
and environmental protection:
- examine potential of all woodlands - woodlots, conifer plantations,
treed swamps, and mixed bush - and match with your needs and expectations
- target desirable plant and wildlife species, and choose overall purpose
for woodlot management i.e. timber, maple syrup and/or speciality woods
- protect species at risk, it is illegal to harm or kill them (Species
at Risk Act, 2002)
- establish market or on-farm use of woodlot products
- harvest according to your management plan and a standing timber sale
agreement in order to receive full value for trees harvested - hire
a certified forester to assist you with the selection, marking and hiring
of reputable contractors to conduct harvest operations and obtain full
value for trees removed
- select woody species for harvest based upon your management plan objectives:
take valuable, mature, or defective trees - not more than 30% of trees.
Option # 2 - Action
Minimize damage to the woodlot environment and timber by:
- designing access roads, stream crossings, landings and skid trails
to minimize damage; (soil erosion and compaction) avoid wetlands and
watercourses, follow contours where possible and rehabilitate damaged
areas caused by skidding and hauling
- avoiding steep areas (12 % for roads & 20 % for skid trails).
Cross-streams at right angles to minimize stream bank impacts and prevent
water from flowing down skid trails into streams. Maintain buffers of
natural vegetation between cut areas and waterbodies and significant
wildlife habitats
- harvesting carefully - minimize damage to all trees remaining after
the harvest growing stock. Set timber sale landings and other harvest
activities, such as trails as far away as possible from water bodies.
Option # 3 - Compensating Factor
Join a woodlot association or forestry certification group in your area.
Acquire a greater understanding of the value of your woodlot, take forestry
courses or a tree-marking course. Contact the municipality in which your
forest is found to determine whether a tree bylaw exists and get a copy
of it. Non-compliance could result in re-planting order, fines, etc. Forestry
professionals should be aware of the existence of tree cutting by-laws.
For More Information:
- Wood:Take a Stand and Make it Better, OMNR
- Woodburners Manual: Manage the Woodlot for Profit, OMNR
- Introduction to Agroforestry, P.A. Williams, ed., University of Guelph
- A Silvicultural Guide to Managing Southern Ontario Forests, MNR Peterborough
1-800-667-1940
- Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, Ministry of Natural Resources
or Ontario Forestry Association 416-493-7565
- "A Landowner's Guide to Selling Standing Timber", available from Stewardship
Co-ordinators or Ontario Woodlot Association
- Best Management Practices Books: Farm
Forestry and Habitat Management, Order No. BMP 01, pp. 30-32; Fish
and Wildlife Habitat Management, Order No. BMP 10; Buffer
Strips, Order No. BMP 15, pp. 126-129
Issue: 23-2 Stand structure
A natural forest with numerous (multiple) layers of woodland vegetation
with forest floor plants and shrubs, tree species of differing heights
and age usually provides a diversity of habitat opportunities for wildlife.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
- create multiple layers of woodland vegetation over time from fuelwood,
lumber and/or maple syrup production/harvests as well as wildlife habitat
opportunities work with foresters to select a management system, thinning
recommendations and their timing best suited to your woodlot characteristics
- work with biologists to develop a wildlife management plan that is
part of your forest management plan.
Option #2 - Action
- consult a forester to assist with a soil and site evaluation to determine
suitable tree species for planting their stocking rates per hectare
(e.g. 2400/ha.), tree growth, and survival and average times between
thinning.
Issue: 23-3 Timing of forest operations
Stick to the goals and objectives of your management plan, minimize environmental
damage, maintain species diversity and retain significant wildlife habitats.
Damage jeopardizes the future economic value and reduces the growth rate
of injured trees.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
Protect your woodlot investment - negotiate a timber sale agreement with
a harvesting contractor that stipulates the conditions of the harvest
and the selling price of the wood.
Option #2 - Action
Things to consider as part of a timber sale agreement are:
- avoiding steep areas (12 % for roads & 20 % for skid trails) when
harvesting
- crossing streams at right angles to minimize stream bank impacts and
prevent water from flowing down skid trails into streams
- maintaining buffers of natural vegetation between cut areas and waterbodies
and significant wildlife habitats.
Option #3 - Action
- reduce logging damage to remaining tress and understory vegetation,
soils, tree regeneration and wildlife species by working cooperatively
with your contractor
- refuse to start or continue a harvest when operations are done during
spring break up, abnormal thaws and when operations are causing damage,
despite pressure to get the job done.
Option #4 - Action
Aim for 0 % damage to remaining trees. Include a clause in your timber
sales agreement contract that specifies the levying of damages for certain
trees that are significantly damaged. Refer to the sample contract within
the Landowners Guide to Selling Standing Timber.
Option #5 - Action
Inspect the woodlot during and after harvest for damage to remaining
stems. Meet early and often with the logging contractor during the harvest.
It is recommended that 90 % of the remaining and acceptable growing stock
be free of major damage and that not more than 10 - 15 % of the site should
be disturbed by harvesting activities (e.g. trail construction).
For More Information:
- Consult the MNR Extension Note Series "Selling Standing Timber", "Do
You Have a Healthy Woodlot, Promoting a Healthy Forest Through Tree
Marking".
- Reference the booklet and/or brochure from the Ontario Woodlot Association
and/or MNR - "A Landowner's Guide to Selling Standing Timber"
Issue: 23-4 Woodlot health
Numerous (multiple) layers of woodlot vegetation made up of forest floor
plants and shrubs, tree species of differing heights and age usually indicates
a healthy woodlot able to withstand pressures of weather and disease.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
- create healthy woodland by managing for a diversity of species and
age classes of trees
- scout for the effects of insects and disease, invasive species and
weather related effects of drought, ice storms, wind damage, fire and
human impacts (unauthorized recreational activities).
Option #2 - Action
Inspect the woodlot after each harvest for damage to remaining stems.
Wounds permit the entrance of diseases that can increase the chances of
decay by more than 50 % within 20 years following the harvest.
Option #3 - Compensating Factor
Reduce root and stem damage as well as soil compaction significantly
by hiring a logger that works with horses or small equipment rather than
excessively large equipment.
For More Information:
- Consult the Ontario Woodlot Association or your local OMNR office
for contractors using the appropriate equipment for southern Ontario
woodlots.
Issue: 23-5 Woodland livestock access
Allowing woodlands to be grazed intensively over 10-20 years causes irreparable
damage. Grazing destroys tree seedlings, undergrowth vegetation, and wildlife
habitat. Livestock damage tree roots by trampling, tree trunks by constant
rubbing, tree foliage by grazing and eliminates the forest under story
that contains the future forest and wildlife habitat.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
Eliminate access and/or Outdoor Confinement Areas from woodlands or restrict
cattle access to less than 10% of woodlot and to areas that are not sensitive
(e.g. avoid swampy areas):
- plant shade trees in pastures and install tree guards and fencing
that offers adequate protection
- fence woodlands or consider fencing alternatives
- place water, mineral and feed away from woodlands.
Option #2 - Action
Establish a Grazing Management Plan where:
- permanent or long-term pasture is established away from valued woodlands
- place water, mineral and feed away from woodlands, wetlands and other
sensitive areas.
Option #3 - Action
Provide Winter Access for low density grazing systems (cow-calf operations)
where shelter is otherwise not available:
- allow access only when the soil is frozen
- remove livestock prior to soil thawing.
Option #4 - Compensating Factor
Establish a designated shelter area for livestock:
- plant marginal lands to conifers and/or hardwoods
- plant treed shelter bands around pasture lands
- delay access until trees are well established (5 ft. high or more)
- control grazing density to reduce damage
- recognize that mature tree value will be sacrificed so that shelter
may be provided.
For More Information:
Issue: 23-6 Wildlife habitat planning
Many species of wildlife depend upon the forest. Knowledge of their habitat
requirements makes it possible to select timber management activities
that safeguard their habitats without jeopardizing the economic return
on wood products.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
- ensure your forest management plan includes a wildlife management
plan that recognizes the importance of key habitat features such as
woodland ponds, wetlands, downed woody debris, mast-producing and cavity
trees, shorelines and woodland springs
- establish hiking trails to enjoy the full recreational benefits of
your property (including wildlife viewing)
- do not unwillingly destroy the habitats and species (plant and animal)
that are protected by federal and provincial legislation (Federal Species
at Risk Act, - Provincial Endangered Species Act.
Option #2 - Action
- mitigate wildlife damage in agricultural areas by allowing controlled
hunting on your property
- plan your cropping practices well, especially where fields are close
to your woodlot -encourage your neighbours to do the same.
For More Information:
Consult a biologist regarding a habitat framework for wildlife that is
part of your forest management plan.
- Refer to How Much Habitat is Enough: A Framework for Guiding Habitat
Rehabilitation in Great Lakes Areas of Concern 2nd Edition,
Environment Canada, 2004.
- Refer to "Birds on the Farm: A Stewardship Guide", Federation of Ontario
Naturalists by contacting 1-800-440-2366 or visitwww.ontarionature.org
Issue: 23-7 Wildlife habitat in corridors fencerows, shelterbelts and
windbreaks
Wildlife requires protected corridors of permanent vegetation to travel
between natural areas such as woodlands and wetlands. Forested ravines,
treed fencerows, shelterbelts, windbreaks, buffer strips, or treed farm
lanes are all forms of wildlife corridors.
Where there are no corridors, wildlife either restrict themselves to small
natural areas, or are forced to risk moving to the next natural area - unprotected.
Those wildlife trapped in small natural areas (e.g., songbirds) risk: running
out of habitat requirements, overpopulation and disease, easy predation,
and a restricted gene pool.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
Plan, plant, and manage a network of windbreaks, buffer strips, etc.
that provide suitable corridors (a wide range of habitats with diversity)
for wildlife:
- maintain existing corridors or where possible interconnect natural
areas such as those found in fencerows, shelterbelts or buffers to woodlands
- account for wildlife needs when planning new windbreaks and buffer
strips
- plant suitable fast-growing trees and shrubs in these areas
- help trees and shrubs grow quickly with weed control - water if necessary
- allow other shrubs and non-weedy undergrowth to invade once trees
and shrubs are free to grow (>6 ft. or 2 m)
- pile rocks and woody debris in corridors for additional habitat leave
standing dead trees (snags) as perching sites for birds of prey or install
nesting platforms to attract these types of birds.
- ensure corridors do not contain invasive species such as Buckthorn,
Norway Maple and Garlic Mustard.
- remember it is best if connecting corridors contain vegetation that
is similar to areas they are connecting.
For More Information:
Issue: 23-8 Wildlife in buffers
Buffers adjacent to fields and watercourses trap and treat sediments
and other materials from farm fields, help prevent erosion and increase
the soil's water-holding capacity and reduce the impacts of flooding and
drought. They can also improve the range of wildlife habitat.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
- establish buffers beside wet areas and farm fields composed of woody
species and grasses
- remember to ensure that it is protected when doing field operations
adjacent to surface water such as applying nutrients or pesticides.
Issue: 23-9 Problem (nuisance) wildlife and damages
Nuisance animals cause damage to crops, livestock, property, and people.
They can cause direct loss to yield and affect profits, but also indirect
loss, by spreading disease (e.g., rabies), and destroying habitat (e.g.,
beaver, porcupine) or causing damage to farm buildings. When habitat requirements
aren't met, certain wildlife species may turn to crops, livestock, or
farmstead buildings for their needs.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
Ensure that the habitats and species (plant and animal) that are protected
by federal and provincial legislation (Federal Species at Risk Act,
- Provincial Endangered Species Act are not unwittingly destroyed.
Ensure that the correct permits are obtained to scare or kill nuisance
wildlife.
Option #2 - Action
Identify the problem species, assess damages to crops/livestock and try
suitable prevention measures:
- ensure predators are present on the farm to help control and balance
the presence of nuisance wildlife
- identify nuisance animals - use sightings, tracks, droppings
- if problem doesn't happen often and doesn't result in noticeable loss,
tolerate it
- try to prevent the problem - fence the field, use irritants (e.g.,
sprays, light, sound), move your livestock, or fix holes in buildings
- practice a comprehensive wildlife management program for nuisance
species that removes food sources, modifies habitat (remove trees or
branches etc.) and/or use repellents to discourage them.
Option #3 - Action
If the above steps fail, use control methods such as live trapping,
lure crops, hunting, poison or lethal trapping in accordance with the
Ontario Fish and Game Act:
- identify nuisance animals - use sightings, tracks, droppings
- look at the problem at the concession level - control of a nuisance
animal on one farm could cause problems elsewhere - if the wrong animal
is controlled and eliminated, other problems may occur
- acquire kill permits and/or hire licensed hunters/trappers to remove
nuisance wildlife species
- if lambs are lost to coyotes and all coyotes are subsequently killed,
rodent problems (groundhogs in soybeans) may become a problem. This
can be worse if the predators were actually much larger "coy-dogs"
- lambs are still at risk, too. Often new coyotes will re-colonize areas
left vacant when others are removed (killed).
For More Information:
- For nuisance wildlife and wildlife on the farm consult the Ontario
Soil and Crop Improvement Association factsheets "Probing Problem Wildlife",
2004 and "Wildlife Wise" or the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) for
information on scare/kill permits @905-336-4464
- "Probing Problem Wildlife: An Update on the Wildlife Action Project",
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Agricultural Adaptation
Council , Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition and Ontario Agricultural
Commodity Council, April 2004
- "Options for Controlling Beaver on Private Land", OMNR Extension Notes
- Best Management Practices Book: Fish
and Wildlife Habitat Management, Order No. BMP 10
Farmstead Areas
Issue: 23-10 Shelterbelts and farmstead plants
Farmsteads without landscaping are not only poor wildlife habitats but
have other disadvantages. These include:
- high energy costs, e.g., winter wind-chill, no shade in summer
- high snow removal costs, i.e., snowdrifts into areas that require
removal
- low real estate value.
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
Plan and create a low-cost landscape around the farmstead (using native
species where possible) that reduces energy needs, controls snow, and
provides habitat for diversity of species:
- plan for shading areas in the south and west
- plan to protect farmstead from prevailing winds
- increase cover with permanent vegetation
- plant windbreaks and shelterbelts first; then plant shade trees and
shrubs; follow with ground covers and other small perennial vegetation
- ensure garden and non-native species such as Norway Maple, garlic
mustard do not escape into fencerows and wooded areas
- erect nesting boxes, feeding stations, and bird baths
- place pond near farmstead where feasible
- prevent domestic dogs and cats from killing songbirds and small mammals
- exclude potential nuisance wildlife from farmstead buildings - repair
small cracks and openings with caulking, metal screening, and flashing
- keep farmstead area free of food and feed waste materials that might
be attractive to nuisance animals.
For More Information:
Issue: 23-11 Resources for wildlife
What can you do?
Option #1 - Action
The farmstead can provide the best opportunity for enjoying certain kinds
of wildlife. Here is some wildlife friendly ideas to help attract wildlife
to the home, lawn and gardens, barn, drivesheds, lanes:
- to attract feeding birds choose wildlife shrubs like red osier dogwood,
elderberry, highbush cranberry, nannyberry, serviceberry pin cherry
and choke cherry etc. for foundation
- plantings around the house
- plant evergreen trees along with other hardwoods (oaks, sugar maple)
as yard trees along with shrubs to offer wind protection cover and food
for wildlife
- prevent outdoor house cats from being around bird feeders and birdhouses
- they are known to kill approximately 12-14 birds/year
- erect nest boxes for cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds, swallows
and owls which consume large quantities of insects and mice
- encourage farmstead wildlife and birds by applying integrated pest
management not only to your fields but your lawn and garden areas.
For More Information:
