THE AUTHOR 



RESEARCH SUMMARY 



RENEE A. O'BRIEN is a range scientist in the Forest 

 Survey Research Work Unit, Intermountain Research 

 Station, Ogden, UT. She holds a B.S. degree in bot- 

 any from Weber State College, Ogden, UT, and B.S. 

 and M.S. degrees in range science from Utah State 

 University, Logan. She began her professional career 

 with the Forest Service in 1981 with the Intermountain 

 Station. 



Forest Survey data have potential for use in obtain- 

 ing information on the condition and diversity of the 

 Nation's forest resources relevant to wildlife habitat 

 that is needed for planning and monitoring at State 

 and regional levels. In this study. Forest Survey data 

 were used to assess nongame bird habitat potential 

 based on food and shelter requirements on 24 plots. 

 These assessments were then evaluated using bird 

 numbers. Results of the analyses showed some cor- 

 relation of bird numbers with tree canopy variables, 

 and illustrate the potential for using Forest Survey data 

 for wildlife habitat assessment, for identifying opportu- 

 nities to improve habitat through management, and for 

 predicting change in conditions overtime. 



