The Application of FIA-based Data to Wildlife Habitat Modeling: A Comparative Study

Abstract

We evaluated the capability of two types of models, one based on spatially explicit variables derived from FIA data and one using so-called traditional habitat evaluation methods, for predicting the presence of cavity-nesting bird habitat in Fishlake National Forest, Utah. Both models performed equally well, in measures of predictive accuracy, with the FIA-based model having estimates of model sensitivity. The primary advantage of using the FIA data is the ability to convert the modeled relationships to spatially explicit depictions of bird habitat.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the fourth annual Forest Inventory and Analysis symposium

Citation

Edwards, Thomas C., Jr.; Moisen, Gretchen G.; Frescino, Tracey S.; Schultz, Randall J. 2005. The Application of FIA-based Data to Wildlife Habitat Modeling: A Comparative Study. In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C.; McWilliams, William H.; Cieszewski, Chris J., eds. Proceedings of the fourth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-252. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 7-10