the leader. Recovery from repeated clipping "by ralDbits produces "ba^lv de- 

 formed, bushy trees. Much of this darnc?.ge can be avoided by planting burned 

 ax-eas the first season following the burn. 



As noted, the opening of large forest areas by cither burning or 

 cutting results in an increased population of small rodents. These pro- 

 vide quarry for predatory birds and maranals, which then nay also increase. 

 Subsequent depredations of some of thece predators on gane species is only 

 incidental, but th.e incidence of game in their food is greater as their 

 numbers increase. | The rodents, as buffer species, serving as a staple 

 food supply for the predators, act to increase the predator population 

 and therefore the predation on certain gane species, vrncthcr this in- 

 creased prcdation is serious depends upon whether the game -predator ratio 

 is altered. 



The response of animals to habitat changes makes it possible to 

 increase desired species ^y proper managem.ent. If the habitat is made 

 more suitable, wildlife increases, e,nd. convcrso].y, if less suitable, 

 wildlife decreases. Response varies in proportion not only to habitat 

 change but also to animal adaptability. It is possible to taltc advantage 

 of these relations to bring about ecological control of certain undesir- 

 able species of animals. Even hero the ability of the animal to meet 

 altered conditions v;ill determine v/hether the practice is feasible and 

 Compatible with other uses of the land area. 7or example, burning of the 

 Manzanita-Ceanothus brushfields of northern California discourages rabbits 

 and thus cuts do\vn the loss of planted pine stock. It results, also, in 

 an increase of seed-eating mice and tends to prevent natural pine regener- 

 ation. 



Forest -management planning also should consider less conspicuous 

 but equally far-reaching ecological relationships, so that the grcatoBt 

 uses can be made of both the forest and the wildlife resources. 



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