Microcomputer software for calculating an elk habitat effectiveness index on Blue Mountain winter ranges.

Abstract

National Forests in the Pacific Northwest Region have incorporated elk habitat standards into Forest plans to ensure that elk habitat objectives are met on multiple use land allocations. Many Forests have employed versions of the habitat effectiveness index (HEI) as a standard method to evaluate habitat. Field application of the HEI model unfortunately is a formidable problem, owing largely to the detailed calculations of "spacing bands" that describe the spatial arrangement of forage and cover areas. This paper describes a DOS microcomputer program that automates the calculation of HEI. "HEICALC" is a simple, menu-driven program that will run on virtually any DOS microcomputer. HEICALC vastly simplifies the task of measuring elk habitat conditions over large areas. It is especially useful in projects where several management alternatives are evaluated for their effects on elk habitat. A floppy diskette containing a copy of the program is distributed with the publication.

Citation

Hitchcock, Mark; Ager, Alan. 1992. Microcomputer software for calculating an elk habitat effectiveness index on Blue Mountain winter ranges. Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR-PNW-301. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 13 p