OPTIMIZATION OF HABITAT PLACEMENT - A CASE-STUDY OF THE NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL IN THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA

The purpose of this paper is to develop an optimization procedure that can be used with simulation methods to capture the strengths of both in analyzing habitat layouts. We present a static optimization model f or spatially locating habitat, using the Northern Spotted Owl in the O lympic Peninsula, Washington State (USA) as a case study. Optimization model parameters, including adult survival, fecundity, and occupancy of sites, are generated with an extant simulation model, and both mode ls are used together to evaluate an alternative plan for the recovery of this high-visibility species. This plan is generally supported by t he analysis, but some gains are indicated to be possible from trading off some federally managed habitat for nonfederal habitat (though such a trade-off may not be realistically practical).