The Wildlife Habitat Indicator for Native Genera and Species (WHINGS): Methodology and Application

Zobel, John M.
Ek, Alan R.
2014-09
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The Wildlife Habitat Indicator for Native Genera and Species (WHINGS): Methodology and Application

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2014-09

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University of Minnesota

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The Wildlife Habitat Indicator for Native Genera and Species (WHINGS) represents the next iteration of the wildlife habitat model created for the Minnesota Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) in the 1990s. The WHINGS framework allows and facilitates forestry and related natural resource planners and policy analysts to examine the impacts, both positive and negative, of proposed management scenarios on forest wildlife habitat during environmental review. In addition, the model can aid the synthesis of wildlife management objectives and practices during forest plan development. Further, the model can estimate current site specific wildlife habitat conditions that may influence other aspects of forest management. This research proposed several updates to the current habitat suitability index methodology used in previous versions of the model. A case study for Carlton County, Minnesota demonstrates an application of the updated model for trend analysis across two separate inventories. The output from WHINGS showed that 28% and 24% of bird species experienced improved and diminished habitat, respectively. Habitat suitability increased and decreased for 14% of the small and medium mammals, respectively. Three of the four large mammals saw improved habitat, while the fourth remained stable. However, the herptofauna had no gains in habitat, but 50% of the species experienced reductions. Overall, the results illustrate the fact that changes in forest habitat will benefit some species and negatively impact others. Thus, the significance and utility of WHINGS results will depend on the user and the criteria surrounding their particular application. Finally, we note the results are very much a function of the underlying forest description detail and wildlife species linkages, i.e., habitat suitability indices (HSI). Where model results differ from what has actually been observed for a wildlife populations, it is appropriate to revisit and refine the specific wildlife species HSI.

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1 electronic resource (PDF; 17 pages)

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Department of Forest Resources Staff Paper Series

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Staff paper series (University of Minnesota. Department of Forest Resources);231

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Zobel, John M.; Ek, Alan R.. (2014). The Wildlife Habitat Indicator for Native Genera and Species (WHINGS): Methodology and Application. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/170677.

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