Treesearch

This forest carnivore conservation assessment summarizes what is known about the biology and ecology of the American marten, fisher, lynx, and wolverine. It is the first step in ascertaining what information we need to develop a scientifically sound strategy for species conservation. Although this assessment implies that we know what information we need to prescribe necessary and sufficient conservation measures, the concepts of conservation biology used here give us a better basis for identifying "necessary" information than for identifying "sufficient" information. Thus, we are cautious...

This document is a guide to establishing permanent reference sites for gathering data about the physical characteristics of streams and rivers. The minimum procedure consists of the following: (1) select a site, (2) map the site and location, (3) measure the channel cross-section, (4) survey a longitudinal profile of the channel, (5) measure stream flow, (6) measure bed material, and (7) permanently file the information with the Vigil network. The document includes basic surveying techniques, provides guidelines for identifying bankfull indicators and measuring other important stream...

We present maps depicting distributions of fisher, lynx, and wolverine in the western United States since 1961. Comparison of past and current distributions of species can shed light on population persistence, periods of population isolation, meta-population structure, and important connecting landscapes. Information on the distribution of the American marten is not included because the large number of observations of this species prevented their being analyzed and presented in the same manner as for the other forest carnivores. Dotted lines represent ecoprovince boundaries (see Appendix A).

Users of the Stand Prognosis Model may have difficulties in selecting the proper set of multipliers to simulate a desired effect or in determining the appropriate value to assign to selected multipliers. A series of examples describe impact of multipliers on simulated stand development. Guidelines for the proper use of multipliers are presented.

Reestablishment of spiny hopsrge (Grayia spinosa [Hook.] Moq.) in the shrub steppe requires development of appropriate seeding technology. We examined the effect of planting date and seedbed environment on germination and seedling establishment of 2 seed sources at 2 southwestern Idaho sites. Seedbeds were prepared by rototilling. In 1987-88, seeds collected la 1986 were drilled at 66 viable seeds m-1 of row at Birds of Prey in late fall, winter, and early spring and at Reynolds Creek in late fall, early spring, and late spring. Seeds collected in 1986 and 1988 were broadcast at 400 viable...

The purpose of this research was to determine the extent of conflict between hikers and recreational stock users in a Sierra Nevada wilderness and to test the relative importance of various hypothetical predictors of conflict using multiple conflict measures. A survey of hikers and recreational stock users of the John Muir Wilderness in California revealed the ability to predict expression of conflict was high using measures of definition of place, specialization, focus of trip/expectations. and lifestyle tolerance. The strongest relationship, however, was between hypothesized determinants...

In 1964, the Wilderness Act (P.L. 88-577) established the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS), currently composed of nearly 39 million hectares in 564 separate units, ranging in size from 2.4 he&ares to 3.5 million hectares. The purpose of the NWPS is “. . . to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness.” The Act further states [Sec.2.(a)] that these areas: . . . shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment...

A comprehensive framework for assessing threats to wilderness is described. The framework is represented as a matrix of potential threats and attributes of wilderness character. Cells in the matrix represent the impacts of threats on each attribute. Potential applications of the matrix are described. An application of the matrix to the wildernesses in the Forest Service’s Northern Region (northern Idaho and Montana) suggests that fire management is the most significant threat to those wildernesses and that aquatic systems are the most threatened wilderness attribute.

Moran's I statistic measures the spatial autocorrelation in a random variable measured at discrete locations in space. Permutation procedures test the null hypothesis that the observed Moran's I value is no greater than that expected by chance. The spatial autocorrelation of gross basal area increment is analyzed for undisturbed, naturally regenerated stands in three Georgia forest types: loblolly, shortleaf, and slash pine. The analysis uses 0.4-ha permanent sample plots from a forest inventory that included two re measurement intervals (1961-1972 and 1972-1982). We present a new statistic...

This collection of 22 papers summarizes the current state of knowledge on Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) within the scientific and management communities. The proceedings are presented in three sections. Research Approaches and Management Concepts contains overviews of research and management for goshawks, forest management to provide goshawk habitat, and field techniques. Resource Ecology focuses largely on habitat use at spatial scales ranging from landscapes to microhabitats. Also included are food habits papers. The section on Population Ecology includes papers on reproductive...