Wildlife Community Habitat Evaluation: A Model for Deciduous Palustrine Forested Wetlands in Maryland.
Abstract
The species richness of forest interior birds, reptiles, and amphibians in deciduous palustrine forested wetlands is influenced by habitat conditions within the forest and the spatial arrangement of forest tracts within the surrounding landscape. Habitat fragmentation is a major determinant of species richness and composition in these forests. The model predicts richness from an evaluation of habitat and spatial variables, with the highest levels of richness assumed to be found in mature, unfragmented forested wetland tracts. The spatial variables in the model can be assessed with remotely sensed data and analyzed with geographic information systems software. A test of the tract portion of the model revealed positive correlations between the spatial model variables and forest interior bird richness from 18 eastern forest Breeding Bird Census plots.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA317503
Entities
People
- Richard L. Schroeder