Using Forest Inventory and Analysis data and wildlife habitat models for assessing the implications of forest wildlife habitat change over large areas and long time frames

Background/Question/Methods

The U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program has been conducting forestland inventories in Minnesota, USA since the 1930s.  This unique set of measurements across the state allow for trend analysis on a variety of forest attributes, including wildlife habitat.  In addition, the recently developed Wildlife Habitat Indicator for Native Genera and Species (WHINGS) provides land managers in Minnesota with a tool for assessing the quality and abundance of forest wildlife habitat for their area of interest.  Applying WHINGS to multiple repeated measurement data or model projections reveals the long-term effect of forest management on wildlife habitat.  This study used the last four completed FIA inventories in Minnesota (ending in 1977, 1990, 2003, and 2008), in association with WHINGS, to quantify the trends in wildlife habitat change in the state over the last 30 years.

Results/Conclusions

Initial results suggest that habitat for birds, mammals, and herptofauna that prefer older stands of larger trees has increased in Minnesota, whereas habitat comprised of young stands has diminished.  In particular, the habitat for Moose (Alces alces) has steadily decreased over the last three decades, potentially coinciding with their declining numbers.  Still, the habitat for most state listed threatened, endangered, and special concern species has increased over this time period.  These results may help refine current forest and wildlife management objectives at the state and local level, but they also illustrate the fact that any sustainable change in forest habitat will benefit some species and negatively impact others.