A PROXIMITY-BASED APPROACH TO ASSESSING HABITAT

Planning for either a single species, multiple species, or ecosystems is greatly dependent on spatial interactions in the landscape. Problem s exist for evaluating wildlife habitat changes over large ranges of s pace and time. This paper illustrates the use of Geographic Informatio n Systems (GIS) to evaluate habitat for a single species, ruffed grous e (Bonasa umbellus), following a time series of forest harvests. A hab itat suitability model for ruffed grouse is utilized on a two-township study area in north-central Minnesota to assess the habitat suitabili ty changes over time using an even-aged area-control harvesting plan. The results are presented as a habitat quality change map and a contin gency table, representing the movement of habitat class areas between time periods resulting from the proposed harvesting. We developed a ne ighborhood definition to allow for spatially varying habitat values. T his work illustrates the ability to 'look ahead' and 'around' in estim ating the impact on wildlife habitat resulting from alternative future management activities.