Tr. Mills et al., EVALUATION OF A HABITAT CAPABILITY MODEL FOR NONGAME BIRDS IN THE BLACK-HILLS, SOUTH-DAKOTA, Research paper RM, (RM-323), 1996, pp. 1
Habitat models, used to predict consequences of land management decisi
ons on wildlife, can have considerable economic effect on management d
ecisions. The Black Hills National Forest uses such a habitat capabili
ty model (HABCAP), but its accuracy is largely unknown. We tested this
model's predictive accuracy for nongame birds in 13 vegetative struct
ural stages of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), aspen (Populus tremul
oides)/birch (Betula papyrifera), and meadow habitats in the Black Hil
ls, South Dakota from 1992 through 1994. We used data collected during
the first two years to test HABCAP model coefficients for 11 species,
and develop coefficients for 9 species not included in the existing m
odel. We then made a different-time-and-location test of the revised m
odel coefficients for all 20 species. Coefficients that differed from
predicted use were revised. The final model provides managers With mor
e accurate assessments of effects of alternative forest management pra
ctices on nongame birds.