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

Abstract

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.