Microcomputer software for calculating the western Oregon elk habitat effectiveness index.

Abstract

This paper describes the operation of the microcomputer program HEIWEST, which was developed to automate calculation of the western Oregon elk habitat effectiveness index (HEI). HEIWEST requires little or no training to operate and vastly simplifies the task of measuring HEI for either site-specific project analysis or long-term monitoring of elk habitat. It is especially useful as a project analysis tool where many silvicultural alternatives are evaluated for their effects on elk habitat. The program also can be used to calculate interior habitat and edge length for indices for forest fragmentation. Data to run HEIWEST program can be derived from a GIS or manually input from within the program. A floppy diskette with a copy of the program and sample data is distributed with the publication.

Citation

Ager, Alan; Hitchcock, Mark. 1992. Microcomputer software for calculating the western Oregon elk habitat effectiveness index. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-303. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 12 p