Short-term impact of forest logging on spruce grouse (Falcipennis canadensis)

Thirty-five and 22 spruce grouses (Falcipennis canadensis) were followed by telemetry, respectively 1 year before and the year of forest logging. Resu lts indicate that the spruce grouse is negatively affected by clearcutting. After logging, spruce grouses moved to residual stands, near their spring home range. They were more often found in regenerating stands with higher s hrub densities and in unproductive forests,selecting among available habita ts, those supporting the highest tree densities and the lowest shrub densit ies. Movements of grouse increased during and after cutting. Summer home ra nges averaged 23-41 ha during logging and 13-33 ha the year before cutting (p = 0.07). Home range areas were not statistically different before (4-21 ha) and after cutting (19-23 ha). Resting behaviour decreased and alert beh aviour increased after logging (p > 0.01). Survival rate of grouse was lowe r the year of logging (S = 0.44 +/- 0.02), than in the preceding year (S = 0.75 +/- 0.01). It was also lower after logging (S = 0.50 +/- 0.02) than be fore forest operations (S = 0.89 +/- 0.09), with predation being the main c ause of mortality. Grouse density decreased by 60% after logging.