APPENDIX C 

 WILDUFE ANALYSIS 



INTRODUCTION 



The discussion in this section pertains to wildlife 

 species and their habitat as they currently exist 

 and the changes expected to that environment 

 due to this proposal. This discussion occurs on 2 

 scales. The project area includes DNRC- 

 managed lands primarily along restricted roads in 

 Section 18, T24N, R17W and Section 24, T24N, 

 R18W. The second scale relates to the 

 surrounding landscape for assessing cumulative 

 effects. This scale varies according to the 

 species being discussed, but generally 

 approximates the size of the home range of the 

 species in question. In the cumulative-effects 

 analysis area, prior State actions and foreseeable 

 future actions, along with current conditions on 

 other ownerships, were considered and 

 discussed. Species were dismissed from further 

 analysis if habitat did not exist in the project area 

 or would not be modified by any alternative. 



To assegs the existing condition of the project 

 area and the surrounding landscape, a variety of 

 techniques were used. Field visits, field data, 

 scientific literature, data from the SLI and 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program, aerial 

 photography, consultations with other 

 professionals, and professional judgment 

 provided information for the following discussion 

 and effects analysis. In the effects analysis, 

 changes in the habitat quality and quantity from 

 the existing conditions were evaluated and 

 explained. Specialized methodologies are 

 discussed under the species in which they apply. 



COARSE-FILTER ANALYSIS 



This project proposes to harvest standing and 

 blown down dying and/or dead trees. No 

 substantial changes in age classes, forested 

 cover, connectivity, or covertypes would occur 

 from what would be expected if no action were 

 taken. Therefore, the coarse-filter analysis will 

 only consider the direct effects of disturbance to 

 wildlife species using the area and the indirect 

 effects of the project related to deadwood 

 habitats. 



Deadwood (downed trees and snags) is an 

 important component of forested ecosystems. 



Five primary functions of deadwood in the 

 forested ecosystems are: 1 ) increase structural 

 diversity, 2) alter canopy microenvironment, 3) 

 promote biological diversity, 4) provide critical 

 habitat for wildlife, and 5) act as a storehouse for 

 nutrient and organic matter recycling agents 

 {Parks and Shaw 1996). This analysis focuses 

 on the importance of dead wood as wildlife 

 habitat and the effects of this project on those 

 habitats. 



Snags and downed trees provide feeding and 

 rearing sites, along with shelter for an array of 

 wildlife species. Deadwood provides insects, 

 fungus, and food sources for small mammals. In 

 turn, these small mammals provide prey for 

 predatory birds and mammals. Additionally, 

 deadwood provides areas with stable 

 temperatures and moisture for animals, along 

 with shelter from the environment, lookout areas, 

 and food storage sites. Small mammals, such as 

 red-backed voles, to large mammals, such as 

 black bears, rely on deadwood for survival and 

 reproduction. 



The dbh, height, and snag densities determine 

 the snag habitat value for wildlife species. 

 Larger, taller snags tend to provide nesting sites, 

 while shorter snags and stumps tend to provide 

 feeding sites for birds and mammals. Cavity- 

 nesting birds often nest in areas where several 

 snags are available, while using individual snags 

 as feeding or roosting sites. Similarly, the size, 

 length, decay, and distribution of deadwood affect 

 their capacity to provide specific habitat. Logs 

 less than 6 feet in length tend to dry out and 

 provide limited habitat for wildlife species. Single, 

 scattered down trees could provide lookout and 

 travel sites for squirrels or access under the snow 

 for small mammals and weasels, while log piles 

 provide foraging sites for weasels. Therefore, 

 considering the size and distribution of these 

 resources is important. 



The presence of insects, predaceous birds, and 

 mammals are important to forest management. 

 Insects and birds are suspected of controlling 

 insects that are harmful to wood production, such 

 as the Douglas-fir tussock moth, bark beetles, 

 and spruce budworm {Otvos 1979, Dahlstan 

 1982, Torgensen 1994). However, at epidemic 



Cilly Bug Salvage Timber Sale Project 



Page C-1 



