Wildlife habitats in managed forests: the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington

Abstract

The Nation's forests are one of the last remaining natural habitats forterrestrial wildlife. Much of this vast forest resource has changed dramatically in the last 200 years and can no longer be considered wild. It is now managed for multiple use benefits, including timber production. Timber harvesting and roadbuilding now alter wildlife habitat more than any other forest management activity.

In recent years public forest managers have had to account more completely for the impacts of their activities on wildlife. Federal laws and other legislation have set forth specific responsibilities for protection and enhancement of wildlife habitats in managed forests. This publication is designed to help forest managers deal more effectively with these new responsibilities.

The setting is the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington (Dicken 1973). But it could be anywhere in North America where coniferous forests are a dominant part of the landscape and where public ownership of forest land is extensive. Although the setting is geographically narrow, the general concepts, principles, and practices are applicable to forest management throughout the country.