Forest birds such as the Cape May, Blackburnian, and Bay-breasted warblers significantly influence budworm populations. It is thought that they reduce the frequency and severity of budworm outbreaks. However forest songbirds depend on a variety of forest insects in their diet, which in turn may depend on the diversity and abundance of tree lichens. Older forests and forests that have been managed using low impact forestry have a greater abundance of lichens and insects and therefore songbirds. In fact, the variety of lichens, mosses and fungi in our oldest forests are reminiscent of what is found in the temperate rain forests of coastal British Columbia. Maintaining such variety is essential to maintaining healthy populations of songbirds, securing their ability to influence spruce budworm outbreaks. Low impact forestry can also ensure a good abundance and diversity of budworm parasites. Some budworm parasites require a mixed wood forest for a portion of their lifecycles. Current forest management practices on Crown land are perpetuating the decline of our mixed wood forests, which could reduce the diversity of budworm parasites, thus increasing the severity of budworm outbreaks when they occur. If low impact forestry was used to bring about a more natural forest on Crown lands in terms of the mix of species, ages and structure, there would be less need to spray to protect trees against pests.

Ecological Function   /   Pest Control   /   Flying Foresters    /   Dead Wood