Assessing impact of Hurricane Rita on red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) clusters in Angelina National Forest, Texas

Intensive management of RCW habitat in Angelina National Forest in Texas is a priority for this endangered species. The research inventoried downed timber in endangered red-cockaded woodpecker clusters on the Angelina National Forest in Texas following Hurricane Rita and utilized a geographic information system to analyze and display data to assess RCW habitat. In the Bannister Wildlife Management Unit of the Angelina National Forest, pine trees either uprooted or snapped by Hurricane Rita in September 2005 were located and mapped to the nearest meter using either a Trimble ProXRS GPS Unit or a Juno(TM) ST handheld GPS unit. Data taken for each pine included diameter at 4.5 feet, height of pine, height to limbs, crown width, species, direction of disturbance, cause of disturbance and associated insect and disease signs and symptoms. Measurement of aggregation of disturbances in the red-cockaded woodpecker indicated that RCW clusters and replacement stands were aggregated [Index of Patchiness (IP) > 1]. There were significant differences between all clusters and replacement clusters combined for DBH (P < 0.0001), for HT (P < 0.0001), but not for bearing (P = 0.5334) (t-test). Area impacted in the clusters ranged from a high of 9.9 percent in the Bum Cluster to a low of 0.9 percent in the Norwood Cluster. Area impacted in the replacement stands ranged from a high of 4.4 percent in the Bum Cluster to a low of 0.6 percent in the Norwood Cluster. Areas nearest to a recent clearcut had the highest impact (Bum, Peninsula, Pretty, Toothpick and Wilderness Clusters). The area impacted by Hurricane Rita in the cluster and replacement stands was greater than the combined damage in these clusters over a period of 15 years. Both loblolly and shortleaf pine were impacted and resulted in the loss of 1,021 pines in seven cluster and replacement stands. Loss was greater in the clusters even when adjusted for area. Pines were blown down in the direction of the hurricane winds (generally SSW) and larger pines were affected (ave DBH, 19.43 in; average HT, 85.41 ft). The percent of the cluster affected varied with both the intact nature of the canopy and distance from the track of the storm. Large disturbances can devastate RCW clusters and have been documented in the Gulf Coastal Plain.;Keywords. Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Angelina National Forest, Hurricane Rita, Loblolly pine, Shortleaf pine, RCW Cluster stands, Replacement stands.