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<p>Large tree cavities are important, but they are limited resources in the forest ecosystem. The unique role of large cavities stems from their use by big-sized bird species, medium-sized mammals and social insects. The primary source of large cavities in European mixed and coniferous forests is the activity of the Black Woodpecker <i>Dryocopus martius</i>. We present the results of detailed measurements of 136 black-woodpecker-made cavities. 76% of the cavities were excavated in pine trees, and the rest in deciduous species. The measurements were taken on fallen, broken, or uprooted trees. The mean depth of the cavity was 45&#xa0;cm, and its width was 18.7&#xa0;cm. The diameter of the nesting cavity in pine trees was larger than in deciduous trees. The average cavity volume was 11,604 cm<sup>3</sup>, ranging from 7000 to 21,000&#xa0;cm<sup>3</sup>. 63% of cavities in deciduous tree species had a volume of less than 10,000&#xa0;cm<sup>3</sup>, while among cavities in pine trees, it was 38%. The volume of the cavity chamber was most strongly related to the tree’s DBH and the diameter at the height of the entrance. Trees with a DBH (diameter at breast height) of less than 40&#xa0;cm always had cavities &lt; 10,000&#xa0;cm<sup>3</sup>, while above this threshold, cavities smaller than 10,000 cm<sup>3</sup> were occasional. The key factor determining the cavity’s dimensions is the trunk’s thickness at the entrance height, and another strongly correlated parameter is DBH. Practical recommendations for protecting cavity trees in commercial forests concern leaving trees with a DBH above 40&#xa0;cm, especially with decaying wood, as retention trees. This will contribute to preserving and protecting habitats for specialized forest species dependent on the availability of large cavities.</p>

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The impact of tree parameters on the dimensions of Black Woodpecker cavities in pine-dominated forests: the case study from Augustów Forest

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月31日

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  • Grzegorz Zawadzki,
  • Dorota Zawadzka

摘要

Large tree cavities are important, but they are limited resources in the forest ecosystem. The unique role of large cavities stems from their use by big-sized bird species, medium-sized mammals and social insects. The primary source of large cavities in European mixed and coniferous forests is the activity of the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius. We present the results of detailed measurements of 136 black-woodpecker-made cavities. 76% of the cavities were excavated in pine trees, and the rest in deciduous species. The measurements were taken on fallen, broken, or uprooted trees. The mean depth of the cavity was 45 cm, and its width was 18.7 cm. The diameter of the nesting cavity in pine trees was larger than in deciduous trees. The average cavity volume was 11,604 cm3, ranging from 7000 to 21,000 cm3. 63% of cavities in deciduous tree species had a volume of less than 10,000 cm3, while among cavities in pine trees, it was 38%. The volume of the cavity chamber was most strongly related to the tree’s DBH and the diameter at the height of the entrance. Trees with a DBH (diameter at breast height) of less than 40 cm always had cavities < 10,000 cm3, while above this threshold, cavities smaller than 10,000 cm3 were occasional. The key factor determining the cavity’s dimensions is the trunk’s thickness at the entrance height, and another strongly correlated parameter is DBH. Practical recommendations for protecting cavity trees in commercial forests concern leaving trees with a DBH above 40 cm, especially with decaying wood, as retention trees. This will contribute to preserving and protecting habitats for specialized forest species dependent on the availability of large cavities.