Technical Guide to Forest Wildlife Habitat Management in New England

About this book

Centuries of human use and natural processes have shaped forest habitats and their wildlife populations in New England. Conditions are never static. Forest and nonforest habitats for a shifting mosaic of New England fauna were once continuously provided by wind fire blowdowns forest regrowth and other disturbances. This is no longer the case: development of historically open habitats fire control and the decline of agriculture have transformed the landscape. Wildlife associated with forests and woodlotsfisher and pileated woodpecker for examplehave become common. Species associated with old fields brushlands and young forestsfield sparrows eastern towhees and New England cottontails among many othershave declined precipitously as their habitats have been developed or have reverted to forest. Today in much of the region forests are mature and largely unmanaged and most are privately owned. This volume is the essential compilation of forest management practices now crucial for creating a range of forest habitat conditions to maintain or enhance forest wildlife diversity in New England. Inspired by the ground-breaking earlier works of these four distinguished biologists foresters and their colleagues Forest Wildlife Habitat Management in New England presents silvicultural options for aspen-birch northern hardwoods swamp hardwoods spruce-fir hemlock and oak-pine forests and a wealth of information on both upland and wetland nonforested habitats. Implementing the prescribed practices will create forest conditions that will enhance wildlife diversity by providing habitats for amphibians reptiles birds and mammals. In conjunction with the authors companion books New England Wildlife and Landowners Guide to Wildlife Habitat this comprehensive new professional guide will encourage and facilitate cooperative active land management by landowners and professionals united in their mission to preserve New Englands precious wildlife heritage. This indispensable volume is written for professional foresters wildlife biologists and other natural resource managers.