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Biodiversity                                                               page 1 of 5

Conservation tools have been developed to enable managers to maintain and improve forest biodiversity. Conservation tools can be us bb8ed in both natural and intensely managed forest landscapes. In the case of intensely managed landscapes, the key is to use the conservation tools in conjunction with the principles of Adaptive Forest Management. You can review this concept at module 4, unit 1.

  Landscape Perspective   By examining forest stands from a landscape perspective, forest managers can gain a holistic perspective of how a particular stand relates to the larger regional context. Using this approach, one can examine an entire geographical area and estimate the amount of habitat available for various species. For species requiring large habitat areas, this is an especially important conservation tool. The landscape perspective also allows for the management of habitat over a larger area, rather than just one particular forested stand (1).  
 

Al Lucier,

National Council for Air and Stream Improvement

   
Another technique employed in biodiversity management is the "umbrella species" concept (1). This technique involves wildlife biologists and forest managers choosing one species, such as the red cockaded woodpecker or flying squirrel, that typically requires a relatively large habitat area that includes large trees and standing dead wood. Other species would then be identified that appear to co-occur with the "umbrella" species in the same habitat area. This allows forest managers to manage the landscape for one species, yet maintain habitat for several species at one time. The choice of appropriate umbrella species is critical to the effectiveness of this strategy.

 

 
 

 

 ©2007 National Learning Center for Private Forest and Range Landowners
"A program of the Cooperative Extension Service funded by the Renewable Resources Extension Act"
Last Updated: November 11, 2007