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From a global perspective, the type of forest we are talking about is exceedingly 

 rare. The Tongass contains the last significant expanse of temperate rain forest in 

 the Northern hemisphere. Comparable rain forests are found in only 6 other 

 locations in the world. Not surprisingly, this unique environment harbors many 

 important wildlife species, including Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear, wolves, 

 marten, and the highest densities of brown bears and bald eagles in the world. 



It has been argued that wildlife populations are not at risk because only 10 percent 

 of the total land area will ever be logged. That statistic is misleading, as most of the 

 Tongass is composed of rock, ice, treeless alpine, or scrub forestland which has no 

 value to the timber industry and only limited value to wildlife. Of greater relevance 

 to wildlife are the questions of: (1) what types of old-growth are being logged; (2) 

 where is logging taking place; and most importantly, (3) how will the loss of that 

 habitat affect wildlife populations? After 20 years of research on forest/wildlife 

 interactions in southeast Alaska, we can answer that last question with some degree 

 of certainty for selected species. 



To really understand the wildlife problem, we must step back from the acreage 

 figures and the percentages, and look at what is being logged. Virtually all of the 

 logging on the Tongass to date has occurred in higher-volume old-growth stands 

 located along valley bottoms, rivers, and low-elevation hillsides. These are far and 

 away the most productive, and generally the most accessible sites on the forest. 

 Because of the location and structural characteristics of these stands, they typically 

 comprise he most important wildlife habitat as well. For example, research shows 

 that during periods of deep snow, up to 2/3 of all deer use occurs on 10 percent of 

 the habitat base. That 10 percent is the high-volume old growth. Should those core 



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