Wildlife habitat analysis - a multidimensional habitat management model

In intensively cultivated landscapes, the effects of land use ‐ changing habitat quality and habitat availability - on wildlife populations are of major importance for wildlife management. Populations of some species reach high densities, grow rapidly, and can therefore cause damage to tree regeneration in forests; chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) is an example. Other species, like capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), suffer from substantial habitat loss resulting in a population decline. Consequently, the number of individuals and the quality of habitat are of crucial relevance for the development of wildlife management concepts. It is critical to know, which areas provide suitable habitat conditions for a species, and what quantity and quality of habitat is required to achieve a certain population size. In order to evaluate habitat quality and to link wildlife research to practical habitat management, an integrated habitat management model has been designed. The model is based on a multi-dimensional habitat analysis which employs different methodological levels, which were defined according to different spatial scales. On a country scale (level 1), the wildlife ecological landscape type (WELT) is introduced. For this study the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg is divided into units which represent distinct regions with similar landscape ecological habitat conditions for wildlife species. On an eco-regional scale (level 2), the landscape ecological habitat potential (LEHP) was developed. It is based on the evaluation of species-related landscape parameters within an exemplary eco-region and provides information about the potential habitat available to a population. On two local scales (level 3: forest district, level 4: forest stand), a habitat structure analysis was conducted, which serves as a foundation for habitat improvement and the monitoring of habitat conditions. The three methodological elements WELT, LEHP and habitat structure analysis were integrated into a habitat management model. The model uses chamois and capercaillie as examples, but can be equally applied to other species and wildlife management regimes.

[1]  Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and mountain forests: suggestions for hunting chamois in the Ammergau mountains. , 1982 .

[2]  R. Moss,et al.  Evaluation of capercaillie habitat , 1992 .

[3]  J. Hagan,et al.  The Effectiveness of Stand-Level and Landscape-Level Variables for Explaining Bird Occurrence in an Industrial Forest , 2002, Forest Science.

[4]  William J. Ripple,et al.  OLD-FOREST DISTRIBUTION AROUND SPOTTED OWL NESTS IN THE CENTRAL CASCADE MOUNTAINS, OREGON , 1999 .

[5]  I. Storch.  Grouse : status survey and conservation action plan 2006-2010 , 2000 .

[6]  K. McGarigal,et al.  Relationships Between Landscape Structure and Breeding Birds in the Oregon Coast Range , 1995 .

[7]  Shelley A. Hinsley,et al.  Habitat and landscape factors influencing the presence of individual breeding bird species in woodland fragments , 1995 .

[8]  I. Storch.  Male territoriality, female range use, and spatial organisation of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus leks , 1997, Wildlife Biology.

[9]  S. Lovari,et al.  Seasonal habitat selection and group size of the Abruzzo chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata) , 1986 .

[10]  C. Ammer.  Impact of ungulates on structure and dynamics of natural regeneration of mixed mountain forests in the Bavarian Alps , 1996 .

[11]  K. Martin,et al.  Small Mammal Habitat Associations at Patch and Landscape Scales in Oregon , 2002 .

[12]  P. Wegge,et al.  Effects of logging on capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) leks , 1989 .

[13]  J. Rolstad,et al.  Autumn Habitat of Capercaillie in Southeastern Norway , 1988 .

[14]  Graeme Caughley,et al.  Wildlife Ecology and Management , 1994 .

[15]  P. Angelstam,et al.  Conservation of Communities — The Importance of Edges, Surroundings and Landscape Mosaic Structure , 1992 .

[16]  William M. Block,et al.  The use of multivariate statistics for developing habitat suitability index models: Modeling Habitat Relationships of Terrestrial Vert , 1986 .

[17]  David S. Wilcove,et al.  Nest Predation in Forest Tracts and the Decline of Migratory Songbirds , 1985 .

[18]  J. Kie,et al.  Modelling habitat suitability for black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) in heterogeneous landscapes , 1996 .

[19]  A. Carlson.  The effect of habitat loss on a deciduous forest specialist species: the White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) , 2000 .

[20]  P. Wegge,et al.  Spacing pattern, habitat use and survival of Capercaillie in a fragmented winter habitat , 1989 .

[21]  M. Schamberger,et al.  Concepts and constraints of habitat model testing , 1986 .

[22]  E. Ménoni,et al.  Ecologie et dynamique des populations du Grand Tetras dans les Pyrénées, avec des références spéciales à la biologie de la reproduction chez les poules. Quelques applications à sa conservation : [thèse soutenue sur un ensemble de travaux] , 1991 .

[23]  R. Putman.  Ungulates in temperate forest ecosystems: perspectives and recommendations for future research , 1996 .

[24]  Sean W. MacFaden,et al.  Avian Habitat Relationships at Multiple Scales in a New England Forest , 2002, Forest Science.

[25]  L. Hansson,et al.  Ecological Principles of Nature Conservation , 1992 .

[26]  D. Simberloff.  Flagships, umbrellas, and keystones: Is single-species management passé in the landscape era? , 1998 .

[27]  W. Schröder.  Untersuchungen zur Ökologie des Gamswildes (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) in einem Vorkommen der Alpen , 1971, Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft.

[28]  P. Gray,et al.  Wildlife habitat evaluation in forested ecosystems: some examples from Canada and the United States , 1996 .

[29]  Odd H. Stuen,et al.  Invertebrate abundance in different forest habitats as animal food available to capercaillie Tetrao urogallus chicks , 1988 .

[30]  J. Swenson,et al.  Habitat separation by sympatric forest grouse in Fennoscandia in relation to boreal forest succession , 1993 .

[31]  Paul F. Jones,et al.  Evaluation of a Winter Habitat Suitability Index Model for Elk in West-Central Alberta , 2002 .

[32]  Grant Wardell-Johnson,et al.  Edges and gaps in mature karri forest, south-western Australia: logging effects on bird species abundance and diversity. , 2000 .

[33]  P. Angelstam,et al.  Role of predation in short-term population fluctuations of some birds and mammals in Fennoscandia , 1984, Oecologia.

[34]  R. Askins.  Hostile landscapes and the decline of migratory songbirds. , 1995, Science.

[35]  G. Mohren,et al.  Ungulates in temperate forest ecosystems , 1996 .

[36]  P. Wegge,et al.  Size and spacing of capercaillie leks in relation to social behavior and habitat , 1986, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.