Habitat Quality 



Points were awarded for five habitat attributes 

 that contributed to overall habitat quality for all 

 species of wildlife. For each of these habitat charac- 

 teristics, a rating of high (3 points), moderate 

 (2 points) or low (1 point) was determined by the par- 

 ticipating biologists: 



1. Condition of riparian zone ; 



High - Riparian zone is in excellent condi- 

 tion, minimally impacted by land uses such 

 as roads, agriculture grazing, sub- 

 divisions. Riparian zone retains nearly all 

 of its natural vegetation characteristics 

 and wildlife values; 



Mo^er^ate - Riparian zone is moderately 

 affected by land uses (as described above) 

 but retains significant amount of inherent 

 natural vegetation characteristics and 

 wildlife values; impacted areas have 

 potential to be rehabilitated; 



Low - Riparian zone is highly affected by land 

 uses; only remnant patches or blocks of 

 natural vegetation exist and only limited 

 opportunity for vegetative rehabilitation. 



2. Forested ; 



High - Numerous large tracts {>150 ac) or 

 continuous bordering (>30 ft. wide) of 

 mature deciduous or coniferous forest (e.g. 

 gallery forests); 



Moderate - occasional large tracts (<150 ac) 

 or intermittent bordering (<30 ft.) of 

 mature deciduous or coniferous forest; 



Low - Little or no forest development along 

 riparian zone. 



3. Wetlands; 



Hi3.il ~ Oxbow lakes, sloughs, backwater areas 

 or other significant wetland types common 

 along water course (characteristic of large 

 meandering rivers); 



Mode rat e - Occasional oxbow lakes, ponds, 

 sloughs, backwater areas, or seeps; 



Low - Few to no significant wetland areas 

 associated with water course(s). 



4. Islands ; 



High - Many (characteristic of braided rivers/ 



streams) ; 

 Moderate - Occasional to several islands; 

 Low - Few to no islands. 



