Treesearch

A long-term problem that continues to grow in many wildland areas is the displeasure hikers express about meeting recreational livestock (primarily horses and mules) and seeing impacts from stock use. Three studies were conducted to provide a broad look at this interaction in wilderness and some of the contributors to the conflict between hikers and horse users. Studies were conducted at the John Muir Wilderness in the Sierra and Inyo National Forests, at the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks in California, and at the Charles C. Deam Wilderness in the Wayne-Hoosier National Forest in...

Differences in fish habitat variables between two studied watersheds may be related to differences in land management. In using the R1/R4 Watershed-Scale Fish Habitat Inventory Process, for most habitat variables, evaluations of sample sizes of at least 30 habitat units were adequate. Guidelines will help land managers in determining sample sizes required to detect differences, under varying management, of such variables as channel morphology, substrate, large woody debris, and bank conditions.

Changes in the number and condition of campsites were monitored for 12 to 16 years in portions of the Lee Metcalf, Selway-Bitterroot, and Eagle Cap Wildernesses. The number of campsites increased by 53 to 123 percent, indicating that campsite impacts have increased greatly. Suggestions for reducing campsite impacts are provided.

The 1987 Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment forest resources statistics are updated to 1992, to provide current information on the Nation's forests. Resource tables present estimates of forest area, volume, mortality, growth, removals, and timber products output. Resource data are analyzed, and trends since 1987 are noted. A forest type map produced from satellite imagery is included to provide a visual display of the location of forest land. Map (PDF - 610 K)

Merriam’s wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) were introduced to the Black Hills approximately 40 years ago, and recent population estimates show a large and stable population. Until now, few studies have evaluated nesting ecology of Merriam’s turkeys, and none occurred in predominantly pure ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests. Thus, we studied nesting and nest habitat factors that influence population productivity using a hierarchical approach in the Black Hills, South Dakota. In contrast to other studies, yearling Merriam’s turkey hens showed a high propensity to nest. Nest...

On January 9, 1990, 32 turkeys were captured in the Black Hills of South Dakota using the drug alpha-chloralose. One of these turkeys had a unique tag attached to it's wing that indicated it had been trapped previously Let's look back in time and see what made the events in the life of this turkey deviate slightly from "The Events in the Turkey Year" described by Bailey and Rinell in The Wild Turkey and It's Management.

The plan for conservation of Neotropical Migratory Birds - Partners in Flight - appeals to many Canadians. The birds themselves are loved for their beauty, their song, their mysterious migration, and their faithful return each spring. They are valued as members of healthy ecosystems, especially when they gorge themselves on caterpillars. Canadians recognize that the conservation of migratory birds should be coordinated internationally. Countries do not own the birds, but only provide accommodation for some steps of a long journey.

We measured rates of oxygen consumption and evaporative water loss (EWL) of Mexican Spotted (Strix occidentalis lucida) and Great Horned (Bubo virginianus) owls in Arizona. Basal metabolic rate averaged 0.84 ccO2 . g-1 . h-1 for the Spotted Owl and 0.59 ccO2 . g-1 . h-1 for the Great Horned Owl, with apparent thermoneutral zones extending from 17.0-25.2°C for the Spotted Owl and 20.3-32.2°C for the Great Horned Owl. EWL increased exponentially with ambient temperature in both species, but the Great Horned Owl showed a greater ability to dissipate metabolic heat production at high temperatur...

The purpose of this symposium was to assist the USDA Forest Service, other federal land management agencies, and the New Mexico State Land Office in the future development and management of the pinon-juniper ecosystem in the Southwest. Authors assessed the current state of knowledge about the pinon-juniper resource and helped develop future research and management goals.

Describes the final 20 minutes of a smokejumper fire-fighting crew and the fire that overran 16 men as they were attempting to escape. The foreman and two firefighters escaped. Comparison with the behavior of a crew trapped by a fire in 1985 is described.