At the other end ot the spectrum are species that occupy a wide range of 

 environments. Generally, these species have adapted to human presence and can 

 often thrive in altered habitats. These species are less likely to be 

 eliminated through habitat alteration. 



A few species have seasonal habitat preferences, or requirements; consequently 

 more than one habitat must be available within the home range of individual 

 animals. For example, deer require dense coniferous forest in winter, because 

 it provides reduced snow depth and protection from wind (Glasgow 1949; Gill 

 1957; and Day 1963). Deer concentrate in particular locations within this 

 habitat type year after year during severe winter conditions. The locations 

 of many of these areas, called deer "yards", are known and are plotted on 

 atlas map 4. Since most of the coastal zone is subject to severe winters 

 periodically (Banasiak and Hugie 1975), this habitat type must be preserved in 

 sufficient quantity and distribution to ensure survival of deer. Coniferous 

 forest provides little food, so habitats that contain abundant herbaceous and 

 woody browse (such as old fields, second growth hardwoods, meadows, and 

 wetlands) are needed. Adequate year-round deer habitat must include a mixture 

 of both of these types of habitat in close proximity. This illustrates the 

 concept of interspersion of habitats, which is very important for species of 

 wildlife that require more than one habitat type. If necessary habitats are 

 not present within the home range or cruising radius of a mammal, it cannot 

 survive. Therefore, a sufficient amount of a particular habitat type on a 

 regional basis is not enough. If a habitat exists in large uniform blocks it 

 will not be suitable for those species requiring an interspersion of two or 

 more habitats. Size must be considered in relationship to the home range of 

 each species. For small mammals (mice, shrews, voles) an area of 10 to 15 

 acres (4 to 6 ha) would far exceed the normal home range of an individual, 

 while foxes or coyotes may range over an area of several square miles. 

 Banasiak and Hugie (1975) regard the degree of interspersion of habitats 

 relative to deer (which range 1/4 to 1/2 mile; 0.4 to 0.8 km) as moderate in 

 regions 5 and 6 and high in regions 1 to 4. Black bears, which also require 

 several habitat types, range over a much larger area, as much as 20 sq mi (51 

 sq km) or more. Within their home range they require township-sized blocks 

 (36 sq mi; 92 sq km) of forest habitat. These conditions are not present in 

 regions 1 to 4 of the characterization area, which is one reason that black 

 bears are not abundant there (Hugie and Banasiak 1975). 



The relative importance of each community type to mammals as a group is 

 indicated by the total number of species utilizing each type (figure 17-2). 

 All species of mammals found within the same habitat may be said to constitute 

 the "mammal community" of that habitat. Forest systems (deciduous, 

 coniferous, and mixed) and aquatic habitats (palustrine, lacustrine, and 

 riverine) are preferred habitat for the greatest numbers of species and 

 acceptable habitats for many others. Urban areas and open meadows support 

 fewest species. Land development on shorelines and watercourses, draining 

 wetlands, and removing forest habitat has a greater impact on mammals, in 

 terms of the number of species affected, than alterations in other habitats. 

 On the other hand, providing small patches of these habitats, particularly 

 forests and wetlands, within urban areas can increase the diversity of mammal 

 communities significantly (Leedy et al. 1978). 



17-11 



10-80 



