Integrating GIS Technology With Forest Management And Habitat Assessment Efforts On Our National Forests

Abstract

Research was conducted on a section of the Superior National Forest to develop and examine potential methods or approaches that may be used to integrate non-timber resources in multiple-use planning. An indicator species for old-growth conifer forests, pine marten (Martes americana), was chosen to examine potential conflicts between specific forest management practices and habitat values. This research explored an approach to combine spatially scheduled timber production and the impacts on marten habitat for a large area, examining simple management scenarios in the form of delayed harvesting. The results of the analysis indicate that clearcutting over the 50-year planning horizon had a significant impact on the marten habitat conditions of the study area only in specific management simulations.

Citation

Nichols, Joan M.; Husain, S. Arif; Papadas, Christos. 2000. Integrating GIS Technology With Forest Management And Habitat Assessment Efforts On Our National Forests. in General Technical Report NC-205. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station