Arthropod availability in relation to ruffed grouse brood habitat in the southern Appalachians

Arthropod availability to ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) chicks was studied by sweep netting on 6 habitats considered to be brood range in the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee. The objectives of the study were: (1) determine the abundance, biomass, and taxa of arthropods collected in these habitats, and (2) determine which forest management practices are most beneficial to ruffed grouse chicks in terms of arthropod production and vegetative structure. Arthropod abundance was highest on managed logging roads and in mature hardwood with herbaceous ground cover, while arthropod biomass was highest on managed logging roads. Managed logging roads were sowed and maintained in clover and/or orchard grass. Young clearcuts (< 3 years old) were least productive of arthropods. Arthropods representing taxa preferred by chicks were most abundant on managed logging roads and in mature hardwood with herbaceous ground cover. No significant differences were determined in arthropod abundance or biomass between unmanaged logging roads traversing mature hardwood and unmanaged logging roads passing through clearcuts. Managed logging roads planted to clover were more productive than those planted to orchard grass in terms of arthropod abundance and biomass. Arthropods from the taxa preferred by chicks were more abundant on roads where clover was the principal vegetative component. Maintenance of ruffed grouse chicks should be highest where optimal cover (areas of high woody stem density) is located near habitat productive for arthropods.