Focus Species Forestry - Maine Audubon

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The goal of this manual is to simplify the task of integrating timber management and conservation of biodiversity by identifying and managing for a few Focus Species whose habitat needs cover those of many other species. In the pages that follow, a group of focus species has been identified for Maine’s major commercial forest types. This approach will help forest managers develop habitat targets for specific species, like the marten and snowshoe hare, that are associated with Maine’s most common forest types. By providing adequate habitat for the full suite of focus species, many other components of biodiversity will benefit as well. By focusing on a few important species, biodiversity management can become an interesting, educational, and routine part of everyday forest management. What is Biodiversity? “Biodiversity is the variety of all forms of life – trees and other plants, invertebrate and vertebrate animals, and microorganisms – and includes the different levels on which life operates – from the level of genetic differences between individuals to the complex interactions between species”(Maine Forest Biodiversity Project; Gawler et al. 1996). To envision forest biodiversity, think about the native forest. Biodiversity is everything that lives there and all the pieces working together. Barred owls prefer extensive mature forests with large cavity trees. Focusing on the habitat needs of barred owls will provide habitat for many other mature- forest species plus valuable timber. 2 Focus Species Forestry
2. Characteristics of Focus Species A Suite of Umbrella Species Focus species management works because many species inhabit similar forest types. While no two species have exactly the same habitat requirements, there is often considerable overlap among species. For example, the American marten, red squirrel, red-breasted nuthatch, spruce grouse, and hermit thrush have different requirements for food and cover, but they are all found in mid- to late-successional spruce-fir conifer and mixed conifer-hardwood forests. Because the marten has the largest home range of this group, it has been identified as a focus species. By focusing on marten management, other species with smaller territories will also benefit. This approach is also called the “umbrella species” approach, because many species benefit from the protective “umbrella” of marten management. The goal of focus species forestry is to provide habitat for the vast majority of forest species. To account for the range of habitat needs of Maine’s wildlife and other aspects of biodiversity, focus species management is based on a suite of focus species that cover the habitat requirements of most other species found in the area. For example, the marten is typically found in older forests, while Umbrella Species Effect of Managing for American Marten in Northern Maine Species Group Number of Species 1 Reptiles 3 (100%) Amphibians 8 (50%) Mammals 40 (80%) Birds 80 (70%) Plants Hundreds? Fungi Hundreds? Insects Thousands? 1 Estimate based on DeGraaf and Yamasaki 2001, Gawler et al. 1996; percent based on non-aquatic, forest-dependent species. animals such as the ruffed grouse, magnolia warbler, and snowshoe hare thrive in younger conifer forests. This guide includes a suite of focus species that spans the range from early successional to late-successional forests in Maine’s six major forest ecosystems. By also including two widespread special-value habitats—riparian and wetland forests as well as vernal pools—the full range of habitats encountered in the course of everyday forestry is covered. Focus species forestry will benefit all reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals associated with Maine’s forest. Less is known about the relationship of some plants and forest management, and knowledge of forest invertebrates and fungi is very limited. Focus Species Forestry 3
Page 1 and 2: Focus Species Forestry A Guide to I
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Page 5 and 6: Acknowledgements The Focus Species
Page 7: 1. Introduction It’s a crisp wint
Page 11 and 12: Focus Species and Human Values Whil
Page 13 and 14: 3. Step by Step Guide to Focus Spec
Page 15 and 16: For riparian and wetland areas and
Page 17 and 18: Habitat Monitoring Habitat is the m
Page 19 and 20: Table 1. Forest Ecosystem Types and
Page 21 and 22: Table 2. Stand Development Stages S
Page 23 and 24: 5. Habitat Management Guides The fo
Page 25 and 26: Aspen-Birch _______________________
Page 27 and 28: Northern Hardwoods ________________
Page 29 and 30: Oak-Pine __________________________
Page 31 and 32: Eastern Hemlock ___________________
Page 33 and 34: Spruce-Fir ________________________
Page 35 and 36: Northern White Cedar ______________
Page 37 and 38: Riparian and Wetland Forest _______
Page 39 and 40: Vernal Pools ______________________
Page 41 and 42: 6. Focus Species Profiles and Manag
Page 43 and 44: Snowshoe Hare Distribution: Alaska
Page 45 and 46: American Marten Distribution: Alask
Page 47 and 48: White-tailed Deer Distribution: Sou
Page 49 and 50: Ruffed Grouse Distribution: Year-ro
Page 51 and 52: Black-backed Woodpecker Distributio
Page 53 and 54: Wood Thrush Distribution: Breeding-
Page 55 and 56: Magnolia Warbler Distribution: Brit
Page 57 and 58: Pine Warbler Distribution: Southern
Page 59 and 60:
Eastern Towhee Distribution: Breedi
Page 61 and 62:
Northern Dusky Salamander Distribut
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Wood Turtle Distribution: Nova Scot
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Late-Successional Forest Species Co
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Table 3. Focus Species Summary Tabl
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Maine Forest Service Goals for Snag
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prefer areas of low habitat intersp
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Large Ownerships: On a typical town
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9. Literature Cited Allen, T.G., an
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Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP).
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Appendix 1. Recommended Resources .
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Appendix 2. List of Focus Species H
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older forest in islands and peninsu
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Appendix 5. Focus Species Data Form
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Focus Species Habitat Worksheet Pro
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Appendix 6. Example Stand Maps and
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Focus Species Habitat Worksheet Pro
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Appendix 7. Focus Species Associate
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Appendix 9. Primary Focus Species f
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Appendix 10. Examples of Stand Clas
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Focus Species Forestry - Maine Audubon

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