THE EFFECT OF OPENING UP THE WOODLAND ON FOOD SUPPLY 231 



THE EFFECT OF OPENING UP THE WOODLAND ON FOOD SUPPLY 



Left to her own devices. Nature eventually produces a type of vegetation termed the cli- 

 max, which, generation after generation, succeeds itself. In New York, physical condi- 

 tions run the gamut from seashore sands through cover of every age and density to Mt. 

 Marcy's treeless lop. Climax conditions show a correspondingly wide variation. 



In woodland habitats such as are occupied by grouse, the forest climax is most often 

 represented by a mixture of large conifers and hardwoods, with interlocking crowns shad- 

 ing out all but a sparse vegetation beneath. In such situations food and shelter for wildlife 

 living above ground but largely beneath the crown canopy are often scarce indeed. 



However, natural forces tend constantly to break up the continuity of this forest cover. 

 Diseases such as the chestnut lilighl: insects such as bark beetles and the defoliating cater- 

 pillars; weather, particularly late frosts, drought and wind; fire and man's axe often cause 

 the forest to revert to earlier stages of plant succession. Carried far enough, brush takes 

 the place of woodland, grass takes the place of brush and the plow furrows under the 

 grass. Left alone. Nature then begins a slow process of environmental rehabilitation which, 

 if not disturbed, ultimately will result in the reestablishment of the climax type. 



The ruffed grouse finds its food and shelter needs best combined in cprtnin of the in- 

 termediate types. Few individuals are found in cultivaled areas because of ihc paucity of 

 acceptable foods and shelter. Meadows arc likewise avoided except where they adjoin 

 woodlands or brush areas, even thniijjh tlii-\ siip|)orl suih choice food plants as sedges, 

 butlercups. (lovers and strawlierries, and a host of acceptable insects. \^Tiere the shrubby 

 vanguards of the woods arc invading grasslaiuls. however, greater concenlralions of grou.se 

 foods usually occur. It is in this zoned intermingling "f field and forest liiat wild apples 

 and thornapplcs (ind ihoniscKcs most at home. .Stout-stemmed blackberries form prickly tan- 

 gles and there are clumps of dogwood and viburnum, largely bird-planted, along the field bor- 

 ders. Though blueberries and the larger-fruited huckleberries may be spreading, if the soil 

 is acid, they have not as yet crowded out the strawberries, grasses and sedges which grouse 

 patronize. Pioneering trees, such as aspen, cherry, and birch, whose buds or fruit the grouse 

 relish, may also be seeding in as a prelude of forests to come. Furthermore, the number 

 and variety of insects in this type of cover is enormous. 



In time, of <-oursc. the more permanent tree species take over, closing in the crown cover 

 and eliminating the light-demanding .shrubs, aspens and cherries. The forest has reestab- 

 lished itself. 



Habitat, dissimilar in appearance, but rich in grouse foods, may be created by heavy 

 forest cutting. Here, a great variety of seeds has lain dormant in the duff ready to spring 

 to life at the coming of light in all the verdant confusion characteristic of a cut-over 

 area. Many brusliland species, as well as a host of herbs, shrubs and trees will thrive in 

 such slashings. Judging from the number of grouse, and especially those with broods, 

 which frequent such spots from June to November, food and shelter conditions here must 

 be nearly at their best. 



But again as cut-over areas grow up into woods, it is inevitable that many of the plants 

 furnishing food for grouse give way to the climax species. Under them such shade-toler- 

 ant plants as the evergreen wood fern, partridge-berry dwarf cornel and witch hobble, all 

 good grouse foods, gradually fill in a small part of the gap left by the shading out of the 

 luxuriant, light-loving vegetation of the slashing. 



