Download Objective 4. Conservation of Biological Diversity including Forests

Objective 4. Conservation of Biological Diversity including Forests with Exceptional
Conservation Value. To manage the quality and distribution of wildlife habitats and
contribute to the conservation of biological diversity by developing and implementing stand- and
landscape-level measures that promote a diversity of types of habitat and successional stages,
and conservation of forest plants and animals, including aquatic species.
Performance Measure 4.1. Program Participants shall have programs to promote biological
diversity at stand- and landscape-levels.
Indicators:
1. Program to promote the conservation of native biological diversity, including species, wildlife
habitats and ecological community types.
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Participants will perpetuate on the landscape a reasonable representation of the natural
forest types and structure.
Harvests will be conducted to perpetuate existing habitat elements.
Harvests plans will recognize site specific wildlife habitats and consider their protection
where appropriate i.e. heron rookeries, spawning areas, etc
Significant habitats, such as vernal pools, eagle’s nest and deer wintering areas need to
be identified and specific management plans developed before harvesting occurs.
Landowners having LURC designated DWA’s or cooperative DWA agreements should
document their activities.
Management of species having landscape level requirements such as pine martin and
lynx incorporate ongoing information provided by CFRU. Specific to lynx, refer to the
Maine Forest Products Council & IF&W management agreements.
2. Program to protect threatened and endangered species.
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The participant’s Program will include a query of MNAP and IF&W information for the
location and management strategies for endangered species located on their land base.
Participants will receive periodic training on endangered species and G1 and G2
species.
3. Program to locate and protect known sites associated with viable occurrences of critically
imperiled and imperiled species and communities also known as Forests with Exceptional
Conservation Value. Plans for protection may be developed independently or collaboratively,
and may include Program Participant management, cooperation with other stakeholders, or use
of easements, conservation land sales, exchanges, or other conservation strategies.
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Participants will periodically query MNAP, IF&W for occurrences of critically imperiled
and imperiled species and communities on their ownership and identify them on maps.
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Participants will establish plans to protect identified Forest of Exceptional Conservation
Value through such mechanisms as; land swaps, conservation easements and land
sales.
4. Development and implementation of criteria, as guided by regionally appropriate best
scientific information, to retain stand-level wildlife habitat elements such as snags, stumps, mast
trees, down woody debris, den trees and nest trees.
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Prescriptions for individual harvests must address the retention of wildlife habitat
elements and have a system in place to verify the results. The participant should
consider using Manomet’s “Patch Retention System” to protect habitat elements,
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particularly on challenging sites such as wet areas or ledge outcrops. Such areas
frequently aren’t more than a quarter to half acre in size.
Guidance should be spelled out as to the frequency of habitat element occurrences.
Concentrate “habitat elements” in area such as lakeside and streamside buffers, where
harvesting restrictions exist. In areas devoid of riparian zones, using the patch retention
system may work best. (See the Manomet study on patch retention and late
successional forest.)
For sites where habitat elements are limited, whatever is on site most likely should be
maintained. For other wildlife elements like mass trees, more specificity may be needed
so as not to leave an inappropriate level of value on the landscape. For stands that are
clearly beyond maturity and have a lot of poor quality material, make sure guidelines
wouldn’t lead to leaving excess poor quality material that would negatively impact future
stand development.
5. Program for assessment, conducted either individually or collaboratively, of forest cover
types, age or size classes, and habitats at the individual ownership level and, where credible
data are available, across the landscape, and take into account findings in planning and
management activities.
 A participant, on their own lands, will develop a timeframe for obtaining information on its
forest for cover types, habitats, forest structure and age. (Note: There is a way cover
types can be used to determine how well the habitat needs of different species are being
met. This methodology is fairly complex to use and would likely require expert
assistance.)
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If of interest to the Maine Forest Service, the participant will consider providing non
proprietary information or information aggregated with other landowners, in order to
enhance understanding of regional and landscape scale forest conditions for planning
and management purposes.
6. Support of and participation in plans or programs for the conservation of old-growth forests in
the region of ownership.
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Should have evidence of collaboration with Public Lands, or conservation groups such
as AMC or TNC on their measures to preserve old growth forest. For participants that
have old growth forest, you may consider land swaps, land sales or conservation
easements.
7. Participation in programs and demonstration of activities as appropriate to limit the
introduction, impact and spread of invasive exotic plants and animals that directly threaten or
are likely to threaten native plant and animal communities.
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On an annual basis, updates will be sought from appropriate sources including DIF&W,
DEP, and DOC’s Natural Areas program and Forest Health and Monitoring Division on
invasive species that could negatively impact native species and communities. These
contacts must be documented. Such updates will include inquiries on;
o Currently known locations,
o Recent publications and
o Management guidelines
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Participants will commit to periodic training on key invasive species.
Participants will commit to adhering to quarantines and document compliance.
Any evidence of invasive species on participants land base will be reported to the
appropriate agencies.
8. Program to incorporate the role of prescribed or natural fire where appropriate.
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This indicator is probably not applicable on the participant’s land base. (The
management of fire associated species such as white pine and poplar can be
accomplished through other methodologies such as mechanical site preparation.)
Performance Measure 4.2. Program Participants shall apply knowledge gained through
research, science, technology and field experience to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to
the conservation of biological diversity.
Indicators:
1. Collection of information on Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value and other
biodiversity-related data through forest inventory processes, mapping or participation
in external programs, such as Nature Serve, state or provincial heritage programs, or other
credible systems. Such participation may include providing non-proprietary scientific
information, time and assistance by staff, or in-kind or direct financial support.
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Participants will allow such groups as ME’s Natural Areas Program to inventory their
lands for non proprietary type information in order to identify forest of exceptional
conservation value and other biodiversity related data.
Forest inventories conducted by participants will incorporate information targeting
potential forest of exceptional value and biodiversity specific information as is practical.
2. A methodology to incorporate research results and field applications of biodiversity and
ecosystem research into forest management decisions.
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Participants will periodically review studies completed by organizations such as
Manomet and CFRU for information that they can incorporate into their forest
management activities to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health (Using Manomet’s
“Patch Retention and Late Successional guidelines would be examples.)
Suggested Documentation:
Document the implementation of research into active forest management.
Document programs developed under this objective.
Document Participant’s criteria for selecting habitat elements (How many mass trees?)
Manomet and CFRU studies on late successional forests.
“Biodiversity in the Working Forest” publication, “Threatened and Endangered Species In
Forests of Maine” publication.
Quidlines for managing vernal pools (DIF&W document)
Documented training for Participant’s staff on identification, location and management of
specific species, habitats and communities and such as; vernal pools, DWAs, Eagles nest,
Endangered species, Martin & Lynx….
Documentation of commitments to participate with others on conservation of:
o Old growth forest
o Limitation of invasive exotic species
o Collection of information on forest of exceptional conservation value and other
biodiversity related data.
Training needs:
Biodiversity training. The State Implementation Committee has a module.
Manomet and CFRU can put on training to cover anything from vernal pools, patch
retention to identifying and managing for late successional trees.