Chapter 7. Monitoring human disturbances for management of wildlife species and their habitats

Abstract

Human disturbances dominate national forests and grasslands and affect habitats and species in multifaceted ways. In the past, planning and management efforts focused mainly on the management activities of silviculture, prescribed fire, and livestock grazing. Those disturbances remain as common agents to monitor and evaluate. A variety of additional human disturbances, however, are now prevalent and deserve attention, including roads and traffic, recreation, energy extraction, urban expansion, and nonnative or invasive species. Monitoring and evaluating the most prevalent human disturbances that occur in a given local management unit or ecoregion is needed to meet planning requirements and to assess the diverse effects of such disturbances on wildlife habitats and species.

Parent Publication

• A technical guide for monitoring wildlife habitat

Citation

Wisdom, Michael J.; Rowland, Mary M.; Vojta, Christina D.; Goldstein, Michael I. 2013. Chapter 7. Monitoring human disturbances for management of wildlife species and their habitats. In: Rowland, M.M.; Vojta, C.D., tech. eds. 2013. A technical guide for monitoring wildlife habitat. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-89. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 46 p.