FAUNA RESOURCES

Table of Contents
Introduction
History
Inventory
Policy Statement
Goals and Objectives
Guidelines and Actions
Habitat Guidelines
Terrestrial Habitats
Wetland Habitats
Aquatic and Riparian Habitats
Caves and Karst Habitats
Species of Special Concern
Keystone Species Special Management Areas
Special Management Areas
Monitoring
Critical Research Needs
 Introduction
Fauna is generally described as all those creatures that fall within the taxonomic classification of Kingdom
Animalia. The values of animals in our forests are many and immeasurable. Valuable as biological
diversity or vital functional components of the ecosystem, animals form a crucial link in the chain of forest
sustainability, and human sustainability. Other equally un-quantifiable values are the intense personal
challenge experienced by those stalking animals in their wild habitats for viewing or recreation, and their
role as highly aesthetic subjects in the woods. Humans interact with forest animals in many ways, ranging
form extractive uses like hunting and fishing to photography or viewing. Some animals, like the game
species or particularly charismatic viewable species, like birds, actually play an important role in the local
economies of our state. Forest users expect that the state forests will supply abundant populations of
animals to support all of these activities.

Animals, along with all other living things (biota), share a dependence on a given set of environmental
factors called habitat. Animals also interact as integral participants with the other biota through the
various systems of complex processes to form functioning ecosystems. The given assemblage of life in a
location, or the community, is dependent on the base physical elements of the environment like soil,
geology, atmosphere, water, climate, and isolation.

The mission of the Bureau of Forestry is to ensure the long-term health, viability and productivity of
Pennsylvania's forests and to conserve native wild plants. The bureau, through sound ecosystem
management, will manage the state forests to provide suitable habitats for the many species of wildlife
that are woven into the fabric of these forests. The state forest policy related to fauna states: state forest
lands should provide habitats that support a diversity of animal and plant communities.

In some instances we strive to manage for a particular species when its fragility is documented. When
dealing with complex ecosystems where a wide variety of species and physical elements interact over
large land areas, it is more effective to manage for habitats or communities. The presence or absence of
a particular species or group of species, which requires that certain conditions exist, often characterizes
the health of the community. Such a species or species group is known as an indicator. For example, a
healthy forested aquatic community may be characterized by its ability to support brook trout or an
ephemeral pond may support a diverse group of breeding amphibians. The health of a portion of the
ecosystem or a function within the system can be evaluated by the gradient of species occupying a site,
such as the level of herbivory. A high abundance and diversity of spring ephemeral wildflowers in the
understory indicates a low level of herbivory, whereas a simplified understory composed of a monoculture
of hay-scented ferns reflects a long history of excessive browsing pressure.

Habitat is species dependent. It is impractical and implausible to manage specific habitats for thousands
of fauna species living throughout the state forests. In terms of numbers, invertebrates compose the vast
majority of faunal species and individuals in the forest. However, information on habitat requirements of
this group of organisms is lacking. Information regarding vertebrate species is more readily available. The
Bureau will use existing habitat information and manage fauna on state forest lands by centering its focus
on habitats and habitat components that are important for a variety of species.
 History
The first comprehensive management plans for State Forest lands were developed in 1949. Most forest
resources were adapted to fit in with timber management as time and money allowed. In the early 1960's
it became apparent that there must be a formal plan for the protection, development and use of all forest
resources.

Between 1965 and 1970, work was completed on Forest Resource Plans for the 1970-1984 management
period. These plans established objectives for all forest resources and coordinated their use and
development. For the first time, the plans specifically addressed wildlife and fisheries resources. Matters
pertaining to wildlife and fisheries were considered under the Recreation Section of the Forest Resource
Plan.

In the 1970-84 Plan, habitat guidelines were developed in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game
Commission to promote a diversified forest suitable for all wildlife. Fisheries guidelines were also
developed with assistance from the Pennsylvania Fish Commission (now Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission) to address such topics as in-stream restoration and improvement and wilderness trout
stream management. Also the coordination of the wildlife and fishery resources was accomplished
through the consideration and integration of these values into the management of the other forest
resources.

The 1985-2000 State Forest Resource Plan acknowledged that animals and plants are distinct forest
resources and should be managed as such, thus a new section of the Plan was developed, the Fauna
and Flora Management Section.

The 1985-2000 plan recognized that the forest is a complex ecosystem composed of animal and plant
communities integrated with the physical environment. Animals in this ecosystem range from large
mammals such as the black bear and white-tailed deer to invertebrates such as honeybees. Animals,
plants and physical environment integrate to form a multitude of combinations all of which form the whole,
the forest. The management of these organisms is predicated on both protection and use to meet man's
needs and wants.

The current plans recognize fauna as an integral part of the forest ecosystem that are highly valuable and
that should be sustained.

Inventory
There are a host of inventories dealing with fauna resources. Some of these inventories apply specifically
to State Forest lands while most apply to statewide data. Listed below are various inventories and/or
sources of information pertaining to fauna resources that inhabit state forest lands.

Aquatic:

 PA Fish & Boat Commission Stream Surveys: Electro-shocking surveys of most streams on
state forest lands. Detailed reports on species and biomass present for sampled area. Conducted
by professional biologists. Management recommendations included. Ongoing. Available from PA
Fish and Boat Commission. Also available in Forest District offices.
 Dept. of Environmental Protection Water Quality Monitoring: Monitor water quality
parameters for most streams on state forest lands. Conducted by professionals. Include
recommendations for management and special protection designation. Ongoing. Available from
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Herpetological:

 PA Fish & Boat Commission/ Indiana University of PA's Herpetological Atlas Project:
Determine presence/absence of all species of reptiles and amphibians in all atlas blocks across
state. Conducted by trained volunteers. Will produce atlas book. One-time.
http://www.nsm.iup.edu/pha/

Species of Special Concern (General):

 PA Natural Diversity Inventory Site Visits: Site visits to PNDI locations by experts to confirm
locations, evaluate condition, find new sites. Updates records in PNDI database. Ongoing.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/pndi/pndiweb.htm

County Natural Area Inventories:

Inventories of counties to identify and map locations of special concern resources. Conducted by
professionals. Locations distributed to county & some information included in PNDI database. One time.
See below for status of inventories and source of material.

Pennsylvania County Natural Area Inventories Completed to End of 2001

Adams: 1996. A Natural Areas Inventory of Adams County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Adams County Office of Planning and Development,
Gettysburg, PA. 109 pp.
Note: An update to the original was completed in 2002.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: Adams County Office of Planning and
Development, 111-117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325

Allegheny: 1994. Allegheny County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
Pittsburgh, for Allegheny County Board of Commissioners, Pittsburgh. 229 pp.
Beaver:. 1993. Beaver County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
Pittsburgh. 189 pp.
Bedford: 1998. Bedford County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
Pittsburgh, for Bedford County Planning Commission, Bedford, PA. 242 pp.
Berks: 1991. A Natural Areas Inventory of Berks County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Berks County Planning Commission, Reading, PA. 127 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 1998.

 Copies of these documents may be obtained from: The Berks County Planning Commission,
Exide Building, 645 Penn St, Suite 203, Reading, PA 19601-3509

Bradford: A Natural Areas Inventory of Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown. The inventory for this county has not been completed.
Bucks: Rhoads, A. F. and T. A. Block. 1999. Natural Areas Inventory of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Morris Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, for Commissioners of Bucks County,
Doylestown, PA. 122 pp.

 Copies of this document can be obtained from the Bucks County Planning Commission

Butler: 1991. Butler County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh.
152 pp.
Carbon: The inventory for this county has not been conducted.
Centre: Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh. 215
pp.
Chester: 1994. A Natural Areas Inventory of Chester County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Chester County Planning Commission, West Chester, PA.
175 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 2000.

 Copies of these documents can be obtained by contacting the Chester County Planning
Commission; Government Services Center, Suite 270; 601 Westtown Road; West Chester, PA
19382

Clinton: 1993. Clinton County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
Pittsburgh. 212 pp.
Columbia: A Natural Areas Inventory of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown. The inventory for this county has not been completed.
Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry: 2000. A Natural Areas Inventory of Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry
Counties, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Tri-
County Regional Planning Commission, Harrisburg, PA. 278 pp.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: The Tri County Regional Planning Commission,
Dauphin County Veterans Memorial Office Building, 112 Market Street, Seventh Floor,
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2015

Dauphin (see Cumberland)

Delaware: 1992. A Natural Areas Inventory of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for The County of Delaware and Redevelopment Authority of
the County of Delaware, Media, PA. 110 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 1998.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: Delaware County Planning Department, Toal
Building, Second and Orange Streets, Media, PA 19063

Erie: 1993. Erie County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh, for
Erie County Department of Planning, Erie, PA. 312 pp.
Fayette: 2000. Fayette County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
Pittsburgh, for Fayette County Office of Community and Economic Development, Uniontown, PA. 244 pp.
Franklin: The inventory for this county is currently being conducted by The Nature Conservancy. The
inventory is expected to be completed in late 2003.
Juniata: The inventory for this county has not been conducted.
Lackawanna:.1997. A Natural Areas Inventory of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The Nature
Conservancy Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority,
Mayfield, PA. 128 pp. [text available on web site ]

 Copies of this document can be obtained from the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority; 1300
Old Plank Road; Mayfield, PA 18433

Lancaster: 1990. A Natural Areas Inventory of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Nature
Conservancy Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Lancaster County Planning Commission,
Lancaster, PA. 83 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 1998.
Lebanon: The inventory for this county is currently being conducted by The Nature Conservancy. The
inventory is expected to be completed in late 2003 or 2004.

 Copies of these documents can be obtained from the Lancaster County Planning Commission.

Lehigh: 1999. A Natural Areas Inventory of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania. The
Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Lehigh Valley Planning Commission,
Allentown, PA. 177 pp.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, 961 Marcon
Boulevard, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18103-0307

Luzerne: 2001. A Natural Areas Inventory of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Luzerne County Board of Commissioners Wilkes-Barre, PA.
197 pp.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: Luzerne County Office of Community
Development, 54 West Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

Lycoming: 1993. A Natural Areas Inventory of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The Nature
Conservancy Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Lycoming County Planning Commission,
Williamsport, PA. 164 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 2000.

 Copies of these documents may be obtained from: Lycoming County Planning Commission, 48
West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701

Mifflin: The inventory for this county has not been conducted.
Monroe: 1991. A Natural Areas Inventory of Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Science Office,
The Nature Conservancy, Middletown, for Monroe County Planning Commission, Stroudsburg, PA. 145
pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 1999.

 Copies of these documents can be obtained through the Monroe County Planning Commission;
Monroe County Courthouse; Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Montgomery: 1995. A Natural Areas Inventory of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The Nature
Conservancy Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Montgomery County Planning Commission,
Norristown, PA. 126 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 1999.

 Copies of these documents may be obtained from: Montgomery County Planning Commission,
One Montgomery Plaza, Suite 201, Swede & Airy Streets, Norristown, PA 19404-0311

Montour: The inventory for this county has not been conducted.
Northampton: (see Lehigh)
Perry: (see Cumberland)
Philadelphia: The inventory for this county has not been conducted.
Pike: 1990. A Natural Areas Inventory of Pike County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown. 121 pp.

 Copies of this document can be obtained from the PA Science Office of The Nature Conservancy,
208 Airport Drive, Middletown, PA 17057

Snyder: The inventory for this county has not been conducted.
Schuylkill: The inventory for this county is currently being conducted by The Nature Conservancy. The
inventory is expected to be completed in late 2003 or 2004.
Sullivan: 1995. A Natural Areas Inventory of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania . The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Sullivan County Office of Planning and Development,
Laporte, PA. 112 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 2001.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: Sullivan County Office of Planning and
Development, Sullivan County Courthouse, Laporte, PA 17057

Susquehanna: A Natural Areas Inventory of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania .The Nature

Conservancy, Middletown. The inventory for this county has not been completed.
Tioga: A Natural Areas Inventory of Tioga County, Pennsylvania .The Nature Conservancy, Middletown.
The inventory for this county has not been completed.
Union: 1993. A Natural Areas Inventory of Union County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Union County Planning Commission, Lewisburg, PA. 100
pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 2000.

 Copies of these documents may be obtained from: Union County Planning Department, 1610
Industrial Blvd., Suite 100, Lewisburg, PA 17837

Washington: 1994. Washington County Natural Heritage Inventor. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
Pittsburgh, for Board of Washington County Commissioners, Washington, PA. 217 pp.
Wayne: 1991. A Natural Areas Inventory of Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Wayne County Department of Planning, Honesdale, PA.
138 pp.

 Copies of this document can be obtained from the PA Science Office of The Nature Conservancy,
208 Airport Drive, Middletown, PA 17057

Westmoreland: 1998. Westmoreland County Natural Heritage Inventory. Western Pennsylvania

Conservancy, Pittsburgh, for Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development,
Greensburg, PA. 250 pp.
Wyoming: 1995. A Natural Areas Inventory of Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for Wyoming County Planning Commission, Tunkhannock, PA.
102 pp.
Note: An update to the original document was completed in 2001.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: Wyoming County Planning Commission, One
Courthouse Square, Tunkhannock, PA 18657

York: 1996. A Natural Areas Inventory of York County, Pennsylvania. The Nature Conservancy
Pennsylvania Science Office, Middletown, for York County Planning Commission, York, PA. 163 pp.
Note: An update to this document is currently being written and will be completed in early 2002.

 Copies of this document may be obtained from: York County Planning Commission, One West
Market Street, York, PA 17401

Mammals:

 Elk Survey: Aerial survey flown within the primary elk range using mark re-sighting estimator for
population. Annual. Available from PGC.
 PA Game Commission White-tailed Deer Population: County deer population and density
estimated from road-kills, productivity, harvest reports, and butcher shop surveys. Conducted by
professionals. Used to form antlerless license allocation recommendations. Annual. Available
from PGC.
 PA Game Commission Beaver: Aerial survey of beaver dams across North-central counties.
Conducted by professionals. Used to set limits on beaver harvest. Annual. Available from PGC.
 PA Game Commission Bat Hibernacula: Counts of known bat hibernacula. Conducted by
professionals. Recommend gating or other restrictions on use. Annual.
 PA Game Commission Woodrat: Check known sites and search likely habitat for new sites.
Conducted by professionals. Ongoing.
 PA Game Commission Black Bear: Mark-recapture survey to determine black bear population
demographics. Conducted by professionals. Used to manage harvest. Ongoing. Available from
PGC.

Birds:

 PA Game Commission Wild Turkey Productivity: Records of broods seen/brood size/miles

traveled. Conducted by semi-professionals. Used to influence turkey hunting seasons and bag
limits. Annual. Available from PGC.
 PA Game Commission Waterfowl Over-winter: Aerial surveys of major waterways/water
bodies to count waterfowl & eagles. Conducted by professionals. Annual.
 Breeding Bird Atlas: Searches of atlas blocks to determine breeding status of all bird species
found within the block. Conducted by trained professionals. Produce atlas document. One time.
Publication available.
 Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Breeding Bird Census: Determine breeding status of birds
found in 10-20 sites around state. Conducted by expert volunteers. Annual.
 US Fish & Wildlife Service Breeding Bird Survey: Record birds present on 100 survey routes
during breeding season. One day. Conducted by expert professionals. Annual.
 National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count: Record birds present on 40+ circles of 10-
mile radius. Conducted by volunteers. Annual.
 PA Game Commission Colonial Bird: Record locations and numbers of colonial nesting
waterbirds. Conducted by volunteers. Annual.
 Monitoring Avian Productivity: Bird banding at set locations. Conducted by well-trained
volunteers. Annual.
  International Migratory Bird Day: County-wide counts during migration. Conducted by
volunteers. One day annually.
 Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Nest Record Cards: Information on nesting. Conducted by
volunteers. Annual.
 Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Project Feederwatch: Counts of species using bird
feeders. Conducted by volunteers. Annual.
 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Raptor Migration: Counts of raptors migrating through
concentration areas. Conducted by volunteers. Annual.
 Manomet Bird Observatory Shorebird Surveys: Counts of migrating shorebirds at set
locations. Conducted by professionals. Annual.
 PA Society for Ornithology's Special Areas Project: Counts of birds seen on repeated trips to
special area. Conducted by volunteers. Produces checklist. Ongoing.
 Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Project Tanager/Thrush/Hawk: Relate demographics to
habitat for selected species. Conducted by trained volunteers. Ongoing.
 PA Game Commission Wetland Bird: Banding of waterfowl at several locations. Conducted by
professionals. Annual.
 Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Winter Bird Population: Counts of wintering birds on set
locations. Conducted by volunteers. Annual.
 Bureau of Forestry Wood Duck Nest Box: Check nest boxes for use by various species.
Conducted by non-ornithological professionals. Ongoing.
 Pennsylvania Important Mammal Areas Project: Volunteer, grass-roots project to identify and
designate areas in PA that are important for mammal conservation, and to educate people about
mammals. Web site: http://www.pawildlife.org/imap.htm
 Important Bird Areas of Pennsylvania: Part of a worldwide effort to identify and protect
outstanding habitat for birds and all wildlife. Web site: http://pa.audubon.org/Ibamain.htm

Vertibrate Species on State Forest Land With Habitat Association (Adobe PDF - 20 Kb)

Caves
http://www.caves.org/conservancy/ikc/idnr.htm
http://www.cavern.org/
http://www.batcon.org/
http://www.karst.org/
http://www.caves.org/conservancy/pcc/Home.shtml
 Policy Statement

The state forests will be managed to ensure the conservation of a diversity of

native wild forest animals and the provision of suitable habitats for these
creatures.

Goals and Objectives

Goal Manage the forests to provide diverse and productive wildlife habitats and habitat
1: components.
Objectives:

 Develop and implement habitat guidelines that address the needs of a diverse assemblage
of fauna species.
 Develop and maintain close working relationships with other natural resource management
agencies and organizations in the cooperative management of fauna species and habitats.
 Identify critical habitats for conservation of selected fauna.
 Identify and pursue critical research to answer questions concerning fauna/habitat
relationships.
 Identify fauna inventory needs; attempt to address inventory needs; and continue to update
existing inventories.

Goal Protect species of special concern and promote their recovery to viable levels.
2:
Objectives:

 Identify and utilize up-to-date information on the current ranges, distributions, and site-
specific locations of special concern fauna species.
 Develop and implement operating guidelines to ensure the protection of species of special
concern occurrences.

Goal Promote the wise use of wildlife resources to provide recreational, aesthetic, and economic
3: benefits to the citizens of Pennsylvania.
Objectives:

 Develop viewable wildlife opportunities and develop informational brochures to enhance

forest visitors' appreciation of wild animals.
 Provide huntable levels of game species on state forest lands.

Actions:
Watchable Wildlife Sites: DCNR should continue to locate sites and resources for potential wildlife
viewing throughout the State Forests and develop strategic initiatives to provide additional
recreational opportunities to the public based on these resources. This will necessarily include
identification of model sites and developments, site selection criteria, resource protective
measures, preferred site designs, educational tools, funding opportunities and needs, and a
promotional strategy.
Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Watching Trail: http://pa.audubon.org/frontrev1.html
Goal Provide for the conservation of "keystone" and other specific animal species or habitats by
4: designating special management areas and developing specific strategies for the
management of these resources.
Objectives:
  Develop and implement management strategies for special management areas on State
Forest lands.
 Develop and implement management strategies for keystone fauna on State Forest lands.

Goal Identify and manage faunal resources on state forest lands that are imperiled by invasive
5: plant or animal species.
Objectives:

 Inventory state forest lands for populations of invasive plant or animal species (e.g., zebra
mussel) that are established and negatively affecting native animal populations.
 Develop a plan for removal of populations of invasive plants or animals that are negatively
affecting native animal populations.
 Eliminate the planting of non-native invasive plant species on state forest lands.
 Educate state forest users about the negative impacts that non-native species can have on
native fauna. For example, fisherman should not release unused baitfish or worms on State
Forest lands or into state forest waterways.
 Develop guidelines for preventing further infestations of additional species of invasive plant
or animal species and populations. Incorporate these guidelines into Bureau management
practices.

Guidelines / Actions

Goal 1: Manage the forests to provide diverse and productive wildlife habitats and
habitat components.

Guidelines for Cooperation

The Bureau of Forestry is committed to sound multiple resource management. The management of many
of the fauna resources on State Forest lands is under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Game and Fish
and Boat Commissions (PGC -mammals and birds; PF&BC - fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic
invertebrates). The Bureau has management responsibility for the habitat on which these animals
depend. It is therefore desirable for all parties to cooperate in their resource management endeavors to
attain the goals and objectives of the respective agencies.
To promote cooperation in resource management endeavors, separate agreements have been developed
with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. These
agreements are part of the State Forest Resource Management Plan.

Habitat Guidelines
Because of the many values associated with the animals occupying the forest, programs have been
developed to protect, improve, and where necessary, restore these resources through the management
of habitats on which their welfare depends. The following guidelines, and agreements developed
cooperatively between the department and the Pennsylvania Game and Fish & Boat Commissions,
provide the guidance and direction for the implementation of a balanced and positive program. To affect
this positive program, habitat guidelines focusing on the management of key habitat components have
been developed to provide for the maintenance of a diversity of animal species dependent on the forest
ecosystem. Habitat guidelines shall be applied in the management of the State Forests.
Habitat and Landscape Examinations

The landscape examination process is designed to identify faunal habitat needs, set priorities for habitat
projects, assist in planning annual activities, record accomplishments, and provide continuity in forest
resource management.

Successful completion of the landscape exams involves consulting resource maps and aerial photos to
evaluate land uses and habitat components within the LTA (landtype association) and surrounding areas.
Look for the presence of desired habitat components and other important habitat features. Record the
components and features present on the compartment and note deficiencies. The presence or amount of
deficit of habitat components should be used to set priorities for future habitat improvement projects.

There are four general avenues of implementing habitat enhancement recommendations:

Coordinated Implementation is critical to the Bureau's habitat program. Diversity of tree species, tree size
and density of stocking are of major importance to forest wildlife habitat. Commercial cutting is a
significant method at the Bureau's disposal to attain required diversity. Hence, habitat considerations and
recommendations should be designed around and implemented through commercial harvests.

Funded Implementation is directed at those habitat recommendations that cannot be accomplished

through coordinated implementation or other means. Certain recommendations, like installation of small
impoundment clusters, require specific allocations of time or money in order to effect their
implementation. Such recommendations should be reflected in Bureau budgeting requests or specified in
special work programs.

Cooperative Implementation is aimed at those recommendations that can be effected through

cooperation with the Game Commission or Fish & Boat Commission. According to the specifications of
Cooperative Agreements, the Commissions are invited to implement recommendations on special
projects that are specifically designed to improve habitats for species within their jurisdiction.

Volunteer Implementation is self-explanatory. Briefly, private organizations participate in certain habitat

improvements projects on State Forest lands. The benefits of this kind of implementation are usually
twofold. Volunteers may benefit through a feeling of participation or accomplishment and projects
requiring funded implementation can be achieved at minimal cost to the public.

Terrestrial Habitats

Forest Succession

In general, plant communities progress in an orderly and predictable manner known as forest succession;
however, the nature of forest succession varies due to soil conditions, topography, frequency of natural
disturbance, number of deer, and amount of competing vegetation. The abundance and kinds of wildlife
also change as a forest matures, because the quantity and quality of food, water, cover, and space also
change. The following chart is a brief listing of some animal species and the successional stage(s) they
require. The chart was adapted from Forest Stewardship, Wildlife, Number 5, Penn State Cooperative
Extension.

 Maintain plant communities in all stages of succession across the forest.

Horizontal and Vertical Structure

As a forest changes through succession, its structure also changes. Horizontal structure refers to the mix
of successional stages across the landscape. Vertical structure refer to the different layers vegetation
within a forest stand such as a forest with a weIl developed overstory, understory, shrub, and forest floor
strata. Maintaining horizontal and vertical diversity within the forest promotes a greater variety of wildlife.
For more information on forest structure and diversity see Woodlands and Wildlife.
  Maintain horizontal and vertical diversity within the forest.

Edge/Ecotone

Edge is defined as the boundary between two different stages of succession, or, in general, between any
two different ecological communities. Edge is the interface between a pond and a stand of trees, high and
low evergreen cover, a logging road and the forest, a grassy field and a timber stand. Ecotone is the
transition between different ecological communities. Edge is an important habitat component for a variety
of reasons. These reason can be both beneficial and detrimental depending on the species involved.
Often the diversity of animals is greatest along an edge, because the transitional area around the edge
allows a variety of habitats to exist in close proximity to each other. However, edge also increases the
chance of the spread of invasive species and/or predatory species.

 When planning, developing or enhancing any habitat component, edge and ecotone should be an
important consideration. Edges and ecotone should be irregular in shape and should be gradual
(soft) in nature.

Upland herbaceous openings

Forest openings, also called herbaceous openings, are areas in the forest where woody vegetation is
absent or sparse. These areas are generally covered with herbaceous, or non-woody, plants such as
grasses and forbs. Such plants serve as substrata for grass- hoppers and other insects that thrive in the
opening. The insects, in turn, are an important source of protein for ruffed grouse chicks and wild turkey
poults. Other species, such as deer and rabbits, graze on the succulent forage. Foxes, raptors, and other
predators are attracted to the openings because of an abundance of small mammals such as mice and
voles.
These are areas within the forest that are less than 30% stocked with trees that are dominated by
herbaceous vegetation.

 Consider the landscape setting when planning and/or developing herbaceous openings.
Herbaceous openings should not be developed in close proximity to agricultural areas or where
forests are highly fragmented or perforated.
 Within interior forests, consider developing and maintaining areas in herbaceous openings or
orchards. These openings should not exceed 2% of the landscape setting. (see seeding
recommendations in Flora Section).
 These openings can range from .5 to 10 acres in size but preferably be .5 to 5 acres in size.
Openings greater than 10 acres should be broken into smaller openings through planting or
should be considered as a special management area.
 Openings can include existing upland openings, orchard stands, rights-of-way, and well sites.
 The use of native vegetation is preferred and should include nectar and host plants to support a
diversity of butterflies, skippers and moths (see seeding recommendations in Flora Section).
 Following cultural or development operations, access roads, log landings and other land clearings
should be seeded to a native-dominated herbaceous vegetation mixture to prevent erosion and
provide upland herbaceous openings.
 Skid trails should be reseeded (see seeding recommendations in Flora Section) but these areas
may reseed naturally where erosion and invasive species are not a problem.

Deciduous Brush-Stage (Early successional forests)

Brushy areas in the forest consist of dense patches of small woody vegetation. Generally the brush is
composed of young trees known as seedlings and saplings. An abundance of young trees can be the
result of planned timber operations, which are a means of regenerating the forest. Brush also can be in
the form of dense pockets of shrubs, such as scrub oak or speckled alder. Brushy areas provide food for
wildlife in the form of browse and fruits. Because of the density of these areas, they also provide excellent
escape and nesting cover. Many wildlife species, including white-tailed deer and American woodcock,
benefit from brushy habitat. Songbirds, such as the rufous-sided towhee, are dependent on brush for
some of their habitat requirements. For more information consult the publication - Timber Sales and
Wildlife.

 5-10% of the forest should be in the brush stage or early successional forests.
 The optimum size for brush-stage habitats is approximately 20 acres. However a total of 60 acres
can be desirable by clustering 3 or more blocks. The blocks should be in proximity to each other.
 All timber sales should reserve clumps of trees (.5-5 acres), strips of trees and/or scattered single
trees. Select reserve trees on the basis of potential mast production, facilitation of travel lanes
and future forest diversity.
 Deciduous brush-stage habitat can include terrestrial and palustrine shrublands and forest stands
in size classes 4 and 8.
 These guidelines are integrated in the Timber Management Manual; for additional considerations,
see the Timber Management Manual.

Polestage Forests (Stem Exclusion Stage forests)

Seedlings and saplings eventually grow out of the brush stage into what foresters call the pole-stage
forests and some ecologist term the stem exclusion stage. Although some wildlife species benefit from
this seral stage, it is generally of less value than brush. Remedial actions can be taken in polestage areas
to increase their potential for wildlife. The polestage is sometimes the first potential tree harvest, whether
it be for fuel wood, weeding, or a thinning operation.

 During harvests, careful attention should be paid to tree species. Save those species that you
want to bring to maturity. Encourage a diversity of tree species, particularly those that will provide
food or shelter for wildlife when they mature (see Reservation Guidelines).

Mast Production / Nectar producing and Host Plants

When sexually mature, trees are capable of producing mast. Mast is the fruit of woody plants. Mast can
be the hard-shelled seed of oak, hickory, walnut, or beech; the dry fruits of ash, maple, elm, and
basswood; or fleshy fruits of trees like black cherry and apple. Mast is a high-protein food source for
animals and birds such as black bears, ruffed grouse, and blue jays, white-tailed deer and the nuts are an
important source of body fat, which animals need to survive in the winter (see chart on following page).
Mature trees also provide nesting and feeding sites in their canopies. The upper branches and leaves that
make up a tree's crown attract a variety of songbirds.

 25-50% of the forest area should be in trees capable of producing mast (seed).
 When possible, provide a mixture of species that will provide both hard and soft mast
consideration should be given to retaining a diversity of mast trees. For example, acorns from
white oaks reach maturity in one year, whereas it takes acorns from red oaks two years. Having
both species of oaks on your property will help ensure a sufficient supply of acorns in years of
poor acorn production.

Large, Old Trees / Old Growth Forests

Most of the forested land in Pennsylvania is second growth. Scattered throughout the forests, however,
are large, old trees that were left from the earlier cuttings. These trees usually have many limbs and
branches that allow the trees to dominate the forest canopy and are therefore excellent producers of
mast. Their numerous limbs provide a variety of roosting sites, and the large trunks may have cavities that
animals can use for dens. Many animal species, including barred owls, porcupines, and raccoons, find
haven in these trees.
All forest seres or systems are important components of managing state forestlands under an ecosystem
management approach. Old growth forests provide ecological niches for a myriad of fauna species. There
is generally a substantial level of structural diversity, including vertical diversity and dead and down wood,
in old growth forests. Spiders appear to be more abundant in old growth along with several species of
birds. (see Old Growth strategy in Ecological Considerations Section)

 Several stands or patches of large, old trees should be present in each landscape regardless of
the priority goals for the landscape. These stands or trees should collectively comprise >3% of
the landscape.
 Individual old trees should also be left throughout the landscape.
 The following classes of land provide or have the potential to provide large, old tree habitat:
buffers, natural areas, wild areas, and limited resource zones. If none of these classes of land
occur within a compartment, reserve 1-5 acre stands or patches especially near wetlands, in
steep ravines or along the edges of coniferous cover.
 Protect all existing virgin or old growth remnant forests.
 Advance old growth forested systems on state forests lands using areas zoned to promote a
successional pattern toward potential old-growth systems.
 Maintain a minimum of 20 percent of state forestlands as potential or existing old-growth areas.

Evergreen Habitat

Wildlife most commonly use evergreens as cover from the cold and as nesting and escape cover. Low
evergreen cover, such as mountain laurel, and high evergreen cover, such as a mature eastern hemlock
stand, provide areas with smaller amounts of snow accumulation and protection from winter winds. They
also provide year-round escape cover. Evergreen cover is essential to many species of warblers for
nesting and is often used by the common crow as a roosting site. The mourning dove nests primarily in
evergreen trees. The value of evergreens for wildlife depends on the species, size, and age of the
evergreen stand and its location in relation to other cover types. Evergreen cover is best when found near
brushy areas and small herbaceous openings.

 Strive to develop and maintain 10% of the forest area in evergreen habitat.
 Provide for both high (>10' in height) and low (<10' in height) evergreen habitat. Low evergreen
habitat such as mountain laurel and rhododendron should not account for more than 5% of the
10% total evergreen component.
 Preferably these areas should be .25 acre or greater in size.
 Evergreen habitat can include natural coniferous stands, or thick pockets of understory hemlock,
white pine, mountain laurel and rhododendron. Native spruce such as red or black spruce and red
and pitch pine can be planted within their range.

Wildlife Food Shrubs, Vines and Fruit Trees

Although trees are the dominant vegetation in a forest, there are often several layers of vegetation in the
understory. Vertical diversity in the forest is as important for wildlife as is horizontal diversity. Understory
plants often include shrubs, vines, and small trees that are valuable as a source of food and cover for
wildlife. Valuable understory species include dogwood, witch hazel, hawthorne, apple, juneberry,
viburnums, wild grape and so forth. Basically any native fruit-producing shrub or vine can benefit wildlife.
Preserve or enhance native wildlife food producing small tree and shrub species in all timber cultural
operations. For a listing of species to conserve, see chart below. Chart was adapted from Forest
Stewardship, Wildlife, Number 5, Penn State Cooperative Extension.
  Efforts should be made to retain these plants during a timber harvest or to improve their growth
and survival by release cuttings.
 Wild Grape should be favored in areas zoned as non-commercial forest and in pockets in
commercial forest.

Sp = spring S = summer F = fall W = winter

Down Woody Material

Dead trees or limbs on the ground, or "down woody material" offer both shelter and food to many wildlife
species. As the tree decomposes, nutrients are recycled into the soil and a microhabitat favorable for the
growth of new tree seedlings is often created. Insects, salamanders, snakes, mice, and shrews seek
refuge in rotting logs. Skunks, bears, and woodpeckers repeatedly return to these cafeterias for easy
pickings. Depending on a log's location relative to good cover, a grouse may use it as a drumming site.
Some rot-resistant logs have been used by generations of ruffed grouse. For some mammals, including
deer mice, chipmunks, and squirrels, log tops are highways over the forest floor.
Logs and stumps meet the special habitat requirements of the redback and slimy salamander. The four
toed and long tailed salamanders hide in moist, decaying wood. The eggs of the northern spring
salamander are laid in running water under logs. Seven species of turtles bask on logs that are in or near
water. The eastern box turtle may burrow under a log during hot weather. The northern fence lizard is
found in log piles and around stumps and hibernates in the rotting wood. Special habitat requirements of
the five-Iined skink include open woods with logs and slash piles. Snakes use logs for shelter and food-
seeking activity. Some species, such as the eastern garter snake and the eastern worm snake, hibernate
in rotting wood. Often the rattlesnake coils next to a log and waits for food to arrive. At least 19 kinds of
salamanders and 26 species of reptiles make some use of logs, stumps, bark, and slash piles in
Pennsylvania's forests.

 Monitor firewood collection to insure that some woody debris is left within the forest especially
along public use roads.
 Retain slash on areas treated by conventional timber operations.
 Whole-tree harvests are discouraged on state forest lands. The State Forester or designee must
approve whole tree harvests. If approved, retain slash on 10% of the area treated by "whole-tree"
removal.
 Retain 2-5 non-merchantable logs per acre on timber operations. Cull trees may be felled and left
to accomplish this guideline.

Snags and Trees with Cavities

Snags are dead trees that are still standing. They are often characterized by broken tops and limbs and
are usually infested with insects and fungi. Snags are good feeding sites for many bird species, and are
used as perches by flycatchers, hawks, and owls.

Cavity trees are trees containing at least one hole that is suitable as a wildlife-nesting site. Cavity trees
can be living trees or snags. In Pennsylvania, 21 species of mammals and 33 species of birds use tree
cavities for nest sites, dens, and escape cover. Wood ducks, white-breasted nuthatches, screech owls,
pileated woodpeckers, gray squirrels, and raccoons are some of the animals that depend on cavity trees
for their existence.

 Retain an average of 5 trees with cavities per acre and 1 to 5 snags per acre, of which all or part
may be cavity trees, in all cultural operations.
o Ideally, trees with cavities should be apportioned as 4 trees per acre, which have an
entrance hole less than 5" minimum diameter, and one tree per acre with an entrance
hole greater than 5" minimum diameter.
o Preferably, these trees should be split between live and dead trees and should be
distributed among various DBH classes with preference toward the larger DBH classes
(>12" DBH).
o If the above guideline cannot be met with existing cavity trees, leave an average of 4-6
cull trees per acre in all timber operations. If desired, cull trees may be girdled.
o A uniform distribution of cavity trees may be both impractical and, from the standpoint of
wildlife, undesirable. These guidelines apply to averages. A few acres may have an
excess of cavity trees. This excess can compensate for the many acres that have few or
no cavity trees.
 Consider leaving more than the minimum number of cavity trees within 50 feet of an "edge"
situation or along a stream, river or wetland.
 Avoid cutting or removing hollow trees and limbs on the ground or standing trees (live or dead)
within 15 yards of a field. In woodland areas that are immediately adjacent to this zone, reserve
an average of from five to ten den trees per acre.
 Avoid cutting or removing hollow trees and limbs within 30 yards of water zones (e.g., streamside
riparian zones).
 Educate firewood permittees to leave cavity trees within areas designated for fuelwood removal.
  See Reservation Guidelines.

Spring Seeps

Spring Seep - A permanent or semi-permanent spring where water emerges from the ground and flows
across the soil surface without a defined bed and banks. The limits of the seep are demarked by the
extent of surface water. Spring seeps are highly diverse and valuable components of our forest
ecosystems in Pennsylvania. Spring seeps are important to wildlife as they provide a variety of food
sources during periods of snow cover in addition to the diversity of species associated with the forested
wetland habitat they create.

 All existing spring seeps should be protected.

o 100 foot buffer zone to retain shading, prevent erosion, and promote water flow
o Maintain a 10-foot wide "no disturbance" buffer around the perimeter of the seep.
o Manage an additional 90 foot buffer around the "no disturbance" area in which is retained
at least 50% canopy closure or a minimum basal area of 60 square feet of live trees.
 Retain cavity trees located within buffer.
 Avoid disturbing soil & leaf litter within the buffer: harvest under frozen or dry
conditions when possible; any ruts created within the buffer must be graded or
raked to the original contour.
 Fell trees away from seeps; leave tops in wetland if they fall into standing water.
 Where property boundaries and topography permit, locate roads and heavy use recreational trails
at least 150 feet downslope from head of seep; avoid roads within 150 feet uphill of seep. If
topography does not permit recreational trails to be routed around the seep, elevate or stabilize
trail surface as appropriate to ensure water flow and soil stability.
 Encourage herbaceous vegetation around and below seeps and retain all valuable food
producing small tree and shrub species in the vicinity of seeps, especially those seeps that
remain open through the winter. Establish wildlife food shrubs and coniferous cover near seeps if
needed.

Rights-of-Way

 Vegetation on established rights-of-way will be maintained according to POLICY AND

PROCEDURES FOR MAINTENANCE OF VEGETATION ON RIGHTS-OF-WAY ON STATE
FOREST LANDS (ERFM 4).
 Approval of new rights-of-way or on established rights-of-way that are being treated so as to
disturb the soil, the following guidelines apply:
o The District Forester will request of the lessee any GPS/GIS data of the proposed right-
of-way. This data will be used to review potential impacts to ecological, cultural, and
recreational resources.
o The District Forester will check the list of Compartments referencing archeological sites
per the Bureau of Forestry's agreement with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission. If a listed Compartment is affected, the District Forester will contact the
Silviculture Section per standard operating procedures.
o The District Forester will conduct a PNDI review of the proposed right-of-way. If the PNDI
results in no potential conflicts, the District Forester may approve the request and
coordinate the right-of-way construction activities with the lessee in a manner that avoids
or minimizes disturbance to the following ecological resources
 Rare plants and animals
Unique habitats
Vernal ponds
Spring Seeps
Scrub oak/pitch pine communities
Scree slopes/talus/boulder fields
Sunny rock outcroppings
Caves
Wetlands
Cliffs
Exposed limestone or shale
Stands of at least 100 trees with diameter at breast height > 30 inches
Herbaceous openings in high-quality forage
Other unusual features

o If the PNDI review results in a potential conflict, the District Forester will contact the
Ecological Services Section.
 The Ecological Services Section will evaluate the PNDI review results to
determine if a field assessment is necessary. If a field assessment is not
necessary, the Ecological Services Section will notify the District Forester, who
will then grant approval for the right-of way and proceed.
 Based on the PNDI review results, the Ecological Services Section could
recommend that professionals conduct a field assessment with specialized
expertise in ecological resources. Several options exist, including assessments
conducted by:

Ecological Services Section staff

Heritage Program biologist
Qualified biologist (approved by the Bureau of Forestry) hired by the lessee

 The Ecological Services Section will provide oversight of the assessment and will
provide instructions and a list of resources and features that will be considered in
the assessment. The Lessee will be invited to accompany the persons
conducting the assessment.
 Persons conducting the assessment will report the results to the Ecological
Services Section, the District Forester, the Lessee, and the Operations Section.
The Ecological Services section will evaluate potential conflicts.
 If the Ecological Services Section identifies a conflict, DCNR will facilitate a
resolution, or if no conflicts are identified, the Ecological Services Section will
notify the District Forester so that approval can be granted and road or pipeline
activities can begin, following the guidelines beginning with number four above.
o In addition to the referenced ecological resources, the District Forester will coordinate
right-of-way activities with lessees to avoid or minimize disturbance to cultural resources
and recreational and other uses of state forest land.
o Erosion and sedimentation BMPs, which the Bureau of Forestry follows for timber sale
road construction and other soil-disturbing activities, apply to all soil-disturbing activities
for right-of-way development.
o If possible, the guidelines for wildlife habitat improvement as recommended by wildlife
biologist should be followed during construction activities.
 Where undesirable vegetation, from a wildlife food and cover standpoint, exists
on established rights-of-way, the revegetation of these areas should be pursued.
For recommendations on revegetation, see seeding recommendations.
 On each side of the right-of-way edge in an undulating pattern within the adjacent
forest, several potential treatments should be pursued. These treatments include;
 border cuttings, selective timber harvesting and the planting of coniferous
species.

Artificial Nest/Den Structures

Artificial nest/den structures are man-made structures designed to provide shelter for certain animal
species. These artificial structures can be used to enhance a particular animal population (ex. wood duck,
bluebird) by supplementing natural cavity, nest or den sites. Many birds and mammals can benefit from
artificial nests. However, houses must be built to certain specifications and be properly placed to ensure
desired results. Artificial structures can also be used as a tool in managing for certain species of special
concern.

 For specific guidelines on structures pertaining to a particular species or group of species, see
the publication - Woodworking for Wildlife.

Cliffs and Rubble Land

Cliffs are generally steep, vertical rock facings. Rubble lands are areas where boulders and stones cover
the surface and is less than 30% stocked with trees. These areas provide secure nesting sites and unique
microhabitats for some species of wildlife. Birds such as raptors and cliff swallows can be found on these
rocks, along with reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Although management potential for these areas is
limited, their value to some wildlife species is great and should be recognized.

 These unique habitats should be identified and enhancement of nesting or denning sites should
be considered.
 See timber rattlesnake guidelines.

Disturbed Areas

 Wildlife habitat development should be considered when revegetating disturbed areas (strip-mine
land, oil well sites, gravel pits, etc.). Consult the landscape plan for landscape goals and/or
deficient habitat components and plan revegetation strategies accordingly.
 For sample revegetation plans and additional information on disturbed area reclamation, consult
the Ecological Services Section.

Wetland Habitats
Wetlands are extremely variable in their appearance and/or function. There are several definitions of what
constitutes a wetland but a good generic definition, as used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is
"Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually
at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. Wetlands generally have three attributes:
(1) presence of hydrophytic (wetland) vegetation, (2) presence of hydric (typically non-drained), and (3)
presence of water during the growing season.

Historically, ecological functions and economic values associated with wetlands included mainly
waterfowl and furbearers. However, a host of wildlife use and depend on wetlands for their existence.
Wetlands, in fact, are the most productive habitats in Pennsylvania. The protection and management of
wetlands is as diverse as the wetlands themselves. For information on managing wetland habitats for
fauna consult Wetlands and Wildlife.
Essentially all wetlands on State Forest lands are subject to regulatory control. Wetland protection and
protection in Pennsylvania are addressed by a variety of federal and state public agencies including the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Perhaps the most important program involving wetland protection by the federal government is Section
404 of the Clean Waters Act that establishes the federal authority to regulate certain activities in waters of
the United States, including wetlands. The Dam Safety and Encroachment Act and accompanying
Chapter 105 regulations provide protection at the state level by requiring permits be obtained prior to the
construction of any obstruction or encroachment on any watercourse, floodway, or body of water,
including wetlands.

The following guidelines apply to wetlands on State Forest lands:

All Wetlands

 All wetlands will be protected or enhanced.

 All wetlands will be inventoried and evaluated during scheduled landscape examinations. See
landscape examination (Adobe PDF - 45 Kb).
 Wetlands may be created or developed in suitable areas. Consult PNDI (for species of special
concern), compartment soil maps, Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commissions, USDA Natural
Resource Conservation Service and Pennsylvania DEP Bureau of Dams and Waterways
Management prior to wetland development. Permits are usually required for work in wetlands.
 Proposed disturbances in wetlands will undergo an environmental review and be approved by the
State Forester or designee.

Spring Seeps

Spring Seep - A permanent or semi-permanent spring where water emerges from the ground and flows
across the soil surface without a defined bed and banks. The limits of the seep are demarked by the
extent of surface water. Spring seeps are highly diverse and valuable components of our forest
ecosystems in Pennsylvania. Spring seeps are important to wildlife as they provide a variety of food
sources during periods of snow cover in addition to the diversity of species associated with the forested
wetland habitat they create.

 see spring seeps guidelines in terrestrial habitats.

Vernal Ponds; Ephemeral Pond; Autumnal Ponds

Vernal Ponds are small, temporary bodies of water in a depression fed by surface water and/or
groundwater (typically does not persist year-round). Also called ephemeral, fluctuating pools and
autumnal ponds.

 200 foot buffer zone to retain shading and minimize soil and leaf litter disturbance
o Maintain a 100-foot wide "no disturbance" buffer around the perimeter of the pond
including fuelwood harvests.
o Manage an additional 100 foot buffer around the "no disturbance" area in which is
retained at least 50% canopy closure or a minimum basal area of 60 square feet of live
trees.
 Restrict cutting operations within buffer to November through January.
 Any ruts created within the buffer must be graded or raked to the original contour.
 Recreational trails may be located within the buffer, provided the trail does not
increase sediment in the pond.
 Aquatic and Riparian Habitat
The necessary factor or unifying force that sets aquatic systems apart from terrestrial systems is the
constant presence of water. It is the medium in which both living and abiotic aspects of the ecosystem
exist. There are many different kinds of aquatic ecosystems. The majority of the aquatic ecosystems on
State Forest lands are moving-water systems (rivers, streams) or lakes and/or ponds. The nature and
quality of these systems are critical to the survival of thousands of fauna species on State Forest lands.

Riparian areas or streamside forests are critical to the protection of our aquatic ecosystems. Due of their
location, riparian areas play a critical role in protecting water quality, reducing soil erosion and enhancing
fish and wildlife resources. Also, because of the dendritic pattern exhibited by most of our streams,
riparian zones provide travel lanes or corridors for many wildlife species.
Aquatic and riparian system are linked. Riparian habitats form a natural buffer between an aquatic
ecosystem and the drier upland terrestrial systems.

Aquatic Community Classification

An aquatic community classification project is currently underway in Pennsylvania by the Natural Heritage
program including The Nature Conservancy, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry. The Pennsylvania Aquatic Community
Classification Project (project) proposes to develop and apply standardized aquatic ecosystem
classifications and reference conditions, which will allow conservation planners to identify, characterize
and map existing locations of freshwater plants and animals and their habitats across the state and
assess their relative conservation priority. The project will help identify the highest priority areas for
aquatic resource protection as well as augment and strengthen statewide conservation programs while
providing important data to watershed groups and other organizations to assist local watershed planning,
protection and restoration efforts.

The project will proceed in two phases. Phase I will be primarily a collection and analysis of existing data
requiring limited fieldwork with the objective of developing a draft aquatic community classification. Phase
II will include extensive testing and refinement of the classification through field surveys, analysis and
determination of rarity and quality of each community type identified. Furthermore, Phase II will include
cross-references to regional and national classifications. The project will require several years to
complete.

 Participate in the aquatic community classification by supporting funding and reviewing technical
material.
 Implement aquatic community classification on State Forest lands upon project completion.

In-Stream Restoration and Improvement

 Retain woody debris in streams that threatens infrastructure (i.e. bridges).

 Remove in-stream debris whenever such debris might:
o Increase the rate of silt deposition or cause an alteration to the existing channel.
o Prevent fish passage, particularly from larger bodies of warm water into smaller, colder,
feeder streams.
o Slow the rate of flow and thereby contribute to the warming of a trout stream above 68oF.
Small, shallow, low gradient streams are particularly susceptible to warming in that their
flow is easily obstructed and they have relatively sensitive thermal regimes.
  All in stream alterations require an Environmental Review and an encroachment permit from DEP
Bureau of Dams and Waterways Management and the notification and, in certain instances, the
approval of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
 Prohibit any in stream activities, which might result in silt washing downstream unless an erosion
and sedimentation control plan has been filed and approved.
 For more information on In-Stream Restoration and Improvements, contact the Pennsylvania Fish
& Boat Commission or Bureau of Forestry Ecological Services Section.

Litter

 Remove all litter (human disposed trash) from the stream channel.

Streamside (Riparian) Maintenance, Restoration and Improvement

 Retain high canopy forests along watercourses and waterbodies.

 Stabilize eroding stream banks to prevent siltation and to provide shelter. Seed exposed and
plant native tolerant woody species such as willow, alders or silky dogwood. Consult with the
Ecological Services Section for riparian zone seeding and planting recommendations.
 When natural disturbances (fire, windthrow, flood, or defoliation) result in the removal of the
riparian zone canopy, attempts should be made to restore the riparian zone as soon as possible.
 If wind throw occurs in riparian zones, keep tree in place - do not remove. Trees cut within 50-feet
of the stream should be winched out.
 Roads and rights-of-way should be located away from stream courses. The filter strip between a
stream and road or ROW should be a minimum of 50 feet plus 4 feet for each one percent of
slope, or where there is an effective filter strip.
 Stream crossing should be avoided whenever possible. All roads must cross watercourses, even
small springs and seeps, on culverts, bridges or approved fords. Consider using open-bottom
arch culverts where fish passage is a concern. Stream crossings should be at a right angle to the
stream. Refer to the Silviculture Manual for stream crossing specifications.
 Drilling sites or mineral excavation should not be located within 200 feet of a stream or
impoundment. Refer to the Oil and Gas Guidelines for additional information regarding oil and
gas development.
 Any activities in which soils are disturbed must be regulated by erosion and sedimentation control
plans which will prevent disturbance of established drainage ways and prohibit exposure of
unprotected soils to uncontrolled erosion.

Water Quality

 During landscape examinations locate and assess the nature and extent of existing or potential
sedimentary, thermal, and chemical pollution that is having or might have a detrimental effect on
the aquatic resources.
o Prepare a short statement outlining location, impact and recommendations and send to
the Division of Resource Planning & Information. RP&I will forward the statement to the
appropriate agency in consultation with the District.
 Pesticides. All proposed applications of pesticides that will affect the aquatic resource must be
submitted to the Fishery Resources Biologist, Bureau of Fisheries and Engineering, Pennsylvania
Fish & Boat Commission, for review.

Remote Trout Streams

The majority of the trout streams in Pennsylvania are within easy access to the fishing public, however,
there are remote trout streams on State Forest lands that provide an opportunity for walk-in fishing, away
from the crowds and a highly mechanized society. Prior to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission's
Wilderness Trout Stream Program, the Bureau of Forestry recognized the value of these streams.
  The remoteness of these streams should be considered whenever additional access is proposed
for timber management or mineral development. New administrative access roads that will make
Remote Trout Streams more accessible should be closed to motorized vehicles.

Wilderness Trout Streams - Exceptional Value Waters

Certain trout streams have been classified in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
as "Wilderness Trout Streams". Many of these streams have also been classified as Exceptional Value
Waters under Title 25, Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 93, Water Quality standards.

The Wilderness Trout Streams program as established by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission "is
designed to protect and promote native trout fisheries, the ecological requirements necessary for natural
reproduction of trout and wilderness aesthetics."

Under Chapter 93, all streams within the Commonwealth have been classified according to present
condition and use. Water quality criteria have been established for each classification delineating the
limits of metals, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, etc. that can occur within the streams in
each class. Exceptional Value Waters are an exception in that specific criteria for levels of pollutants were
not established but rather an "existing quality" or "antidegradation" criteria was established which
specifies that no pollutants can be discharged into a stream of that class. This means that no man-made
or man-caused activity subject to the control of the Department will be permitted if it will alter the water
quality of the stream. The Exceptional Value Waters classification was established to fulfill the federal
requirement that some outstanding national high quality stream resources within the Commonwealth be
given special protection to insure that their high quality is retained.
The following management guidelines have been developed in order to meet the objectives of the
Wilderness Trout Streams program and meet the antidegradation requirements of Exceptional Value
Waters:
Access

 A limited access zone where public motor vehicle traffic is excluded should be established for
one-fourth mile on each side of the stream. The length of the limited access zone should be no
less than two miles. Topographic or other physical features may dictate consideration of a
narrower zone. Existing drivable trails can be closed to vehicular traffic in order to create a limited
access zone. After considering all alternatives, public use roads may be closed providing
campsite lessees or private interior landowners do not use the road.
 All existing roads within the limited access zone may be used for administrative purposes. New
access roads needed for resource management can be constructed within the limited access
zone providing the roads are gated and posted to exclude public motor vehicles.

Timber Management

 Timber management will be permitted on Wilderness Trout stream watersheds and Exceptional
Value watersheds as provided in the Timber Management Manual but with the following
additional restrictions:
o Wilderness Trout Streams will have a 200-foot zone on each side of the stream where
only cutting for human safety will be permitted. Exceptional Value Waters that are not
classified as Wilderness Trout Streams will have a 100-foot no-cut buffer on each side of
the stream.
o Haul roads will be located away from the stream course; the distance between the stream
and a parallel road or trail shall be 200-feet plus four-feet for each one percent of slope.
Fording of stream channels is not permitted. Culverts will be permitted only on
intermittent and small tributary stream channels averaging less than 10-feet in width
during mean annual flow. Bridges will be permitted but only if they can be installed with a
minimum of disturbance to the stream banks. Haul roads and skid roads within one-fourth
 mile of all intermittent and perennial streams will be limed, fertilized, and seeded after
their use is no longer needed. Mulch will be applied to roads at 1.5 tons per acre if
determined to be necessary by the District Forester.
o Sawmill sets or debarker-chipper installations shall not be permitted within the one-fourth
mile limited access zone on each side of the stream.

Utility Corridors

 Pipeline and powerline corridors will be avoided, whenever possible, within the one-fourth mile
limited access zone on each side of the stream. When they cannot be avoided, all disturbed
areas within the limited access zone will be seeded and limed and fertilized as recommended
Ecological Services Section. Mulch will be applied to all disturbed areas where the slope exceeds
15 percent and other areas if determined to be necessary by the District Forester.
 Pipeline stream crossings will be permitted where necessary but only after proper review and
approval by the District Forester and DEP- Bureau of Dams and Waterways Management.
 Rights-of-way will be as narrow as possible within the 200-foot streamside buffer and a screen of
native small trees or tall shrubs should either be maintained or planted within the 200-foot zone. If
the trees on an electric transmission right-of-way will not interfere with the power line, the 200-
foot streamside buffer should not be disturbed.

Mineral Development

 Mineral development will be permitted within the watershed as outlined in the Oil and Gas
Guidelines but with the following additional restrictions:
o Well drilling sites must be located a minimum distance from the stream of 200-feet plus 4
feet for each one percent grade of the slope between the stream and proposed well site.
o Strip-mining will not be permitted within the one-fourth mile limited access zone on each
side of the stream.
o Roads associated with mineral sites must be located a minimum distance from the
stream of 200 feet plus 4 feet for each one percent grade of the slope between the
stream and the road or where there is an effective filter strip. When stream crossings are
necessary they will be permitted but with the following restrictions: 1) Fords will not be
permitted. 2) Culverts will be permitted only on intermittent and small (generally
unnamed) tributary streams. 3) Bridges will be permitted but only if they can be installed
with a minimum of disturbance to stream banks.
o Roads within one-fourth mile of all intermittent and perennial streams will be revegetated
upon termination of the mineral activity.

High Quality - Cold Water Fishery

Streams classified as High Quality - Cold Water Fishery under Title 25, Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 93,
Water Quality Standards are subject to the same antidegradation water quality restrictions as are
Exceptional Value Waters. The difference is that no water quality degradation is permitted of Exceptional
Value Waters but degradation is permitted of High Quality Waters for justifiable social and economic
reasons. The following Management Guidelines have been developed in order to meet the
antidegradation requirements for High Quality Streams:
Timber Management

 Timber Management will be permitted within the watersheds of High Quality Streams as provided
in the Timber Management Manual but with the following additional restrictions:
o Haul roads will be located away from the stream course. The distance between the
stream and a parallel road or trail shall be a minimum of 200 feet plus four feet for each
one percent of slope or where an effective filter strip is present. Culverts and bridges will
be permitted but only if they can be installed with a minimum of disturbance to stream
 banks. Haul roads and skid roads within one-fourth mile of all intermittent and perennial
streams will be revegetated upon termination of the logging operation.

Utility Corridors

 Pipeline and powerline corridors should be avoided whenever possible. When they cannot be
avoided, all disturbed areas adjacent to the stream will be revegetated as recommended by the
Ecological Services Section.
 Powerline crossings of streams will be permitted. Rights-of-way should be as narrow as possible
within the streamside buffer.
 Pipeline stream crossings will be permitted only after proper review by the DEP Bureau of Dams
and Waterway Management.

Mineral Development

 Mineral development will be permitted within High Quality watersheds as provided for in the Oil
and Gas Guidelines but with the following additional restrictions:
o Well drilling sites and roads must be located a minimum distance from the stream of 200
feet plus four feet for each one percent grade of the slope between the stream and
proposed well site.
o Strip-mining will not be permitted within a one-fourth mile of each side of the stream.
o Roads associated with mineral sites must be located a minimum distance from the
stream of 200 feet plus 4 feet for each one percent grade of the slope between the
stream and the road. When stream crossings are necessary they will be permitted but
with the following restrictions: 1) Fords will not be permitted. 2) Culverts will be permitted
only on intermittent and small (generally unnamed) tributary streams. 3) Bridges will be
permitted but only if they can be installed with a minimum of disturbance to the stream
banks and channel.
o Roads within one-fourth mile of all intermittent and perennial streams will be revegetated
in such a manner as designated or approved by the District Forester in cooperation with
the BOF Ecological Services Section.

Exceptions

 Exceptions to the foregoing management requirements can be granted by joint approval of the
State Forester and the Director of the DEP Bureau of Water Quality Management. Exceptions will
be granted only for justifiable social or economic reasons.

Caves and Karst Habitats

Caves are natural underground chambers that open to the surface. Caves provide shelter, nesting and
roosting sites for animals such as bats, wood rats and bobcats. Caves and other karst resources on state
forest lands are experiencing increasing recreational use. Most caves and karst features found on state
forest lands have been managed individually using a variety of methods. There are some common threats
to karst and cave features on state forest lands. These include destruction and alteration, vandalism,
impacts by cavers, and degradation of entrances. At present, there are no specific management plans
written for individual caves or karst features. The following guidelines apply to the management of these
resources on State Forests.

Resource Identification
  The bureau shall develop a strategy to survey and identify significant cave and karst features on
State forest lands.
 The caving community has a wealth of knowledge concerning caves on state forest lands. These
organizations, groups and individuals should be canvassed and partnerships should be
established.
 Survey information should include the cave's name, location, a brief description, cave map,
topographic overlay, drainage/recharge area, significant features/values, and special hazards.

Resource Protection:

 Suitable gates or other structures should be considered for high public use caves that are critical
habitat for species of special concern or where they are necessary for public health and safety.
 Caves should be managed to protect their natural state, and to perpetuate their natural ecological
processes, including the interactions of cave and surface biological communities.
 Maintain and enhance the water quality of cave and karst spring systems and prevent subsurface
disturbances that may affect water quality.
 Natural cave entrances should be maintained in a natural state.
 Activities that may cause direct subsurface impacts to cave passages must undergo an
environmental review and be approved by the State Forester or designee. These activities
include drilling, excavation, mining, and similar activities.
 Surface and subsurface activities that may impact subsurface karst resources shall be
appropriately designed and conducted to minimize impacts to karst systems.

Recreation and User Management:

 Recreational caving is recognized as a legitimate use of cave resources.

o Access to caves containing sensitive or especially significant resources, or to those
posing significant safety hazards, shall be regulated at the discretion of the district
forester in consultation with the Ecological Services Section.
 Existing trails should be rerouted away from cave proximities as needed.

Research

 The Bureau of Forestry should pursue research of caves and karst features on state forest lands
to determine the faunal composition of these caves and identify specific needs to protect these
caves.
 Research requests should follow normal operating procedures (see research guidelines)

Species of Special Concern

Goal 2: Protect species of special concern and promote their recovery to viable
levels.

The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) is Pennsylvania's natural heritage program. PNDI's
primary purpose is to monitor the status and map the location of plants and animals in Pennsylvania that
are threatened or endangered, on the decline, or little understood. PNDI also identifies the best examples
of natural communities in the state, and provides information on outstanding geologic features. Natural
communities include a diverse array of habitats, such as grasslands, wetlands, shrub lands, forests, and
aquatic systems. Outstanding geologic features include a variety of unique examples of Pennsylvania
geology. The collection and management of this information is accomplished through a partnership
between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, and the
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Environmental Review

Protection of the Commonwealth's State Forests can be accomplished in harmony with the sustainable
use of our natural resources. Since 1984, PNDI data has been a component of environmental
assessments on State Forest land. These evaluations help to prevent damage to valuable ecological
areas and can save planning and development costs by identifying potential land use conflicts in the early
stages of proposed projects. The Bureau of Forestry conducts environmental reviews for species of
special concern for projects (e.g. timber sales or hiking trials) that are initiated on lands managed by the
Bureau of Forestry. The PNDI Internet Database, which may be found through the IntraForestry Website,
is accessible to Bureau of Forestry employees and other approved agency staff. Searches are conducted
by logging into the database and entering the project type, acreage of project, and either the
latitude/longitude or inches up and over on a given USGS Topographical Quadrangle map. The system,
using the database, creates a receipt/results page that may be printed out and used for reference. The
PNDI Internet Database Search Results page tells the person conducting the search the next step that
they may have to take. First, the search may result in no conflict with the project area. If this result is
received then no further action is required. Second, the search may result in potential conflict or conflicts
with the project site. In the case of a potential conflict a listing of agencies or persons will be provided for
one to contact for consultation.

Fauna

Any project search that results in a potential animal conflict may require contact with several different
agencies, individual biologists, or other experts, depending on the species. For all Bureau of Forestry
projects these conflicts should be directed to a wildlife biologist on staff within the Ecological Services
Section, Bureau of Forestry. BOF field staff will work directly with the Bureau biologist, and in turn the
biologist will work with corresponding experts in a cooperative effort to gather information and make
recommendations for the protection of the species of concern.

 New occurrences of federal and state listed animal species of concern on State Forest land will
be identified by scientists through inventory and recorded in the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity
Inventory (PNDI) database.
 Where a federal and/or state-listed species of concern or unique species is known to occur on
State Forest land, appropriate measures will be taken to insure against adverse man-made or
natural (e.g., deer browse, invasive species) disturbances to the species and habitats critical to
their survival.
 Existing and historic occurrences in the PNDI database for species of special concern will be
periodically field visited and monitored.
 Training will be provided to district staff on species of special concern natural history and
identification. If the district staff locates new locations for species of special concern, they will
contact the BOF, Ecological Services Section to report the information.

Keystone Species Special Management Areas

Goal 4: Provide for the conservation of "keystone" and other specific animal
species or habitats by designating special management areas and developing
specific strategies for the management of these resources.
The habitat guidelines established for terrestrial, wetland, aquatic/riparian, and cave habitats represent
the Bureau's "normal" operating plan on State Forest lands. In conjunction with these guidelines, certain
areas have been designated as Special Management Areas and several species have been identified as
"keystone species". Keystone species are generally species of fauna that increase or decrease the
diversity of systems. Because of their relative importance these species deserve specific treatment in
management strategies.

Special Management Areas have been given their designation either because they are managed for a
particular species or group of species or they represent a unique ecosystem or habitat type. Because of
the nature of these species and/or areas, the Bureau's management strategies employed on them
generally deviate from the "normal" operating guidelines. Specific plans have been established for these
species and/or areas.

Keystone Species

White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are well recognized for their potential to profoundly influence the forest. Deer are also a
tremendous resource pursued by many for sport hunting and for wildlife viewing.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is actively planning to implement the proposed
Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) on the State Forests in the fall of 2003. Our long-term
goal is to restore the sustainability of our forest systems, including forest plants and habitat for the diverse
assemblage of forest wildlife that these forests have historically supported and still possess the potential
to support. For the short-term, however, we will work to identify priority areas where we can begin to
reduce deer browsing pressure incrementally, until we begin to see the forest community responses.

The planning process includes both centralized development of protocols and template plans, and field
based data collection and mapping. A draft monitoring protocol has been developed, is under review, and
will be in place prior to the field data collection season (the month of May, primarily). The protocol is
heavily weighted towards vegetative monitoring, specifically the browsing pressure on a variety of
indicator plants. It includes a minimal level of data collection on overwinter deer density, through the pellet
group technique, to get an estimate of relative population density (i.e., low - 10-15 deer/mi2, moderate -
20-30 deer/mi2, or high - > 30 deer/mi2). Specific goals will be to reduce deer densities to moderate
browsing.

The approach will be to not try to estimate population levels precisely, or predetermine a desired deer
population level, but to base the management decision on the vegetative response to reduced browsing
pressure. This is a very important point to remember. We are using this to address the forest conditions,
not decide on a specific number of deer/mi2. That number is so widely variable, dependent on forest
conditions, availability of alternate food sources, local harvesting intensity, long-term browsing history,
and many other factors.

Over the long-term, we will expand the number of DMAP areas to begin to address this issue across the
State Forest system. Some areas will use DMAP for up to several years, while others may accomplish the
goals in one to two years. Monitoring will be ongoing following DMAP implementation on a site, returning
periodically to assess when it will be necessary to come back in for follow-up work. Often we will likely
treat a large area the first few years, achieve the goal on much of the area, but monitoring will show us
the need for further reductions on some smaller sites within. We can then focus the DMAP tags on those
specific sites (at reduced numbers) and work to resolve the overbrowsing on those hotspots.

This year we will be working out the "bugs" in the system, looking for feedback on how to maximize
efficiency and effectiveness, and growing public and hunter support for DMAP. The main premise of
DMAP is to, through additional site-specific tags, entice hunters to areas where additional deer harvest is
necessary. Hunters must become willing to move to new areas and harvest additional doe in those areas.
Many times these will be remote or otherwise inaccessible. Another issue will be to help provide an outlet
for the additional venison. Hunters are unwilling to harvest more deer than they can personally use, but, if
a venison donation system is in place and funded, they will often harvest additional deer to be dropped off
at the collection points. These are issues and opportunities we will need to promote in whatever ways
possible.

Finally, we must keep in mind that deer are a tremendous natural resource when properly managed.
Many Pennsylvania families depend on venison for low-cost protein, especially in rural areas. Far more
enjoy seeing deer in their natural habitats while driving through our countryside. And, of course, hunting is
a primary recreational activity throughout the forests of Pennsylvania. We must remain aware of these
values, be sensitive to them, and be careful not to begin to think of deer as a nuisance species, only one
that needs more active, thoughtful management.
Bureau-wide Level DMAP Planning

1. Wildlife Program develops template plan (Wildlife Program)

2. Wildlife Program develops monitoring protocols (external Expert review completed in Draft form
4/21/2003) (Wildlife Program)
3. Wildlife Program in cooperation with Forest Pest Management Division develops field data
collection software (FPM loaner on hardware for 2003, Wildlife Program purchased hardware for
ongoing use) (Wildlife Program and FPM)
4. Wildlife Program coordinates training and standardized approach (Wildlife Program) 5. Wildlife
Program coordinates information flow to and from Game Commission and public (Wildlife
Program)

Local DMAP Planning

1. District staff identify proposed DMAP areas (District staff)

2. District staff determines DMAP goals for each area (District staff)
3. District staff produce shapefiles of proposed DMAP areas (District staff)
4. District staff trained to complete monitoring (Wildlife Program and District staff)
5. District staff compiles summary data from recent (within past 2 years) Regeneration assessments
(SILVAH or DMAP monitoring) within the proposed DMAP areas (Silviculture Section, Resource
Planning, and District staff)
6. Wildlife Program analyzes summary data to support DMAP nomination (Wildlife Program)
7. District staff determines deer population reduction goal (in deer/mi2 to be reduced) (District staff)
8. Wildlife Program compiles Game Commission data on Antlerless Deer Harvest for Public Lands
in DMAP Area township, and estimates previous year's harvest on DMAP Area (Wildlife Program)
9. Wildlife Program compiles Game Commission data on Hunter Success rates for Antlerless
Licenses for DMAP Area county (Wildlife Program)

DMAP Effectiveness Monitoring

1. Each District will conduct more intensive monitoring on the ecological responses to DMAP for
each Ecoregion in the District (District staff)
2. The District staff will use standardized monitoring of plots on a grid of one plot per 250 acres to
assess browsing of woody vegetation and woody species diversity and abundance (District staff)
3. The Wildlife Program will conduct annual surveys of known wildflower populations in each DMAP
monitoring area to assess browsing pressure and species diversity and abundance (Wildlife
Program)

DMAP Application

1. Wildlife Program supplies template DMAP Plan to District staff (Wildlife Program)
 2. District staff inputs acreages, descriptions, maps, and contact information into the Area Plan
(District staff)
3. Wildlife Program inputs findings from data analyses into plan for justification to use DMAP
(Wildlife Program)
4. Wildlife Program computes number of antlerless permits necessary to reduce deer population by
desired amount, and requests them in the DMAP Plan (Wildlife Program)
5. District submits final draft of DMAP Plan to the Game Commission prior to July 1 each year
(District staff)

DMAP Permit Dissemination

1. Game Commission evaluates DMAP Plan

2. Game Commission sends hunter "coupons" to District, along with guidance on posting
requirements for DMAP area (District staff time - posting)
3. DCNR publicizes application deadline for DMAP coupons, along with request form in press
release (Wildlife Program and Press Office)
4. District staff holds public drawing on September __ to mail coupons to successful requestors
(District staff time - major commitment)
5. Unsuccessful requestors are sent back a response by October 1 (District staff) 6. Unallocated
coupons are disseminated to hunters on a first come - first served basis (District staff time - minor
commitment)

DMAP Information transfer

1. Statewide press release on DCNR plans to implement program

2. Maps of DMAP areas on DCNR website (need web support)
3. District staff meets with local hunter organizations (District staff time - moderate)

Additional Monitoring Ideas to evaluate DMAP effectiveness

1. Forest Rangers and other field staff distribute windshield survey to hunters within DMAP areas
(District staff time - minor commitment)
2. Deer coming from DMAP areas aged and weighed by field staff or volunteers
3. Mail survey distributed with coupon to successful coupon recipients
Sample Plan

Deer Management Plan to allow the use of Deer Management Assistance Program
Tags on a the Spinning Wheel Area, Tioga State Forest

Submitted by: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and

Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry

Contact person: Merlin Benner, Wildlife Biologist

Bureau of Forestry
P.O. Box 8552
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552
717-787-3706

Maps: See attached maps (showing boundaries, access points, recent timber
harvests, and fenced deer exclosures)

Description: That area of the Tioga State Forest within Tioga County, Morris
Township, Pennsylvania Game Commission Deer Management Unit #5, bounded
by Pine Creek on the East and South, the Cedar Run Road on the West, and the
Painter-Leetonia Road on the North. The designated area encompasses
approximately 18,000 acres of forestland that is used for recreation, timber
production, and the conservation of biological diversity. All of the designated area is
open to public hunting except for safety zones around occupied cabins throughout
the area. Hunter access to the area can occur along all the state forest roads within
the area, with parking areas at trailheads located in Blackwell and at Rattlesnake
Rock.

Site Access and Physical Characteristics: This area is a part of the Allegheny
Plateau that is deeply cut by steep valleys. Oak forests dominate, with some dense
hemlock stands along the headwaters. Some areas have large patches of mountain
laurel in the understory. The best access to the area is from the West Rim Road,
which runs north from Rt. 414 just south of Blackwell. There are adjoining roads that
run down the major drainages to the Cedar Run Road, and numerous hiking trails
and gated access roads throughout. For a public use map of the area, contact:
Tioga State Forest, Box 94, Wellsboro, PA 16901 (570-724-2868).

Deer Mgt. Goals:

 Promote diverse, healthy natural habitat

 Promote wildlife species diversity
 Reduce the need for fencing to establish tree seedlings and forest
regeneration
 Manage for a balanced deer sex ratio (1:1 buck:doe)
 Allow a diversity of wildflower and shrub species to recover on this area
 Reduce deer browsing on a Threatened or Endangered native wild plant
species ____________________(plant species from Species of Special
Concern List)
 Forest sustainability is threatened on this area by overabundant deer;
therefore, the goal is to reduce the deer pressure to the point where the
forest will persist and function into the future.

Justification for use of additional antlerless deer harvest:

 The Bureau of Forestry currently maintains __________ acres of
deer exclosures in _____________ fences (see map). Over the
past 10 years, __________ acres of forestland have been
harvested for timber , forest age class structure, and wildlife
management goals. We have plans to conduct _________ acres of
additional timber harvest in this area over the next ___ years.
Currently, __________ % of timber harvests in this area must be
fenced to ensure forest regeneration and sustainability. The species
diversity of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers occurring in this area in
forest regeneration are greatly reduced from those that should
naturally occur. See comparison between vegetative plots taken
from the area within and outside of deer deterrent fencing
(Appendix I). The ratio of preferred to non-preferred understory
plant species (as forage by deer) on plots within this area is
_________. Also, browsing on these species is summarized in
Table 1., and shows severe browsing on highly preferred species,
severe browsing on moderately preferred species, and moderate
browsing on non-preferred species of plants. Among wildflowers on
the area, only _________ % of trillium species, __________ % of
Indian Cucumber, and ________ % of Canada Mayflower were
found to be flowering, versus ________%, ________%,
_________% respectively for these same species found within
fenced exclosures. Also outside the fences, __________ % of
beech stems were browsed, indicating a _________ high deer
browsing pressure. Within this area, a population of
_____________________ exists, a State _________ species, and
this population is being threatened with extirpation by deer
browsing. The deer browsing pressure must be reduce to protect
this population of rare plants. This area has historically contained a
high diversity of wildflower species, including __________,
__________, _______________, and _____________. These
species have been greatly reduced or extirpated from the area by
deer overbrowsing. The deer browsing pressure needs to be
reduced to restore this forest community.

Number of DMAP tags Requested: _____________

Elk
Elk are a keystone management species, especially for managing the State Forests for watchable wildlife.
DCNR has developed an Elk Viewing and Tourism Plan to manage and promote watchable wildlife
recreation within the elk range. We also have formed the Habitat Challenge Initiative for Pennsylvania's
Elk Range to improve habitat quality to manage elk distribution and viewing opportunities. Other
watchable wildlife opportunities are being incorporated into the sites and strategies of DCNR's elk-related
management and planning, with elk being the "flagship." Other watchable resources being promoted here
include butterflies, birds, vistas, deer, other mammals, waterfowl and water resources.

The elk plan can be viewed through the following web site:
http://www.fermatainc.com/pennelk/reports.html
 Rattlesnake Conservation Strategy
The Bureau of Forestry will enact the following measures to adequately conserve Timber Rattlesnakes on
the State Forest lands of the Commonwealth. These measures are designed to reflect the current "state
of the art" in rattlesnake knowledge, but will be adapted as new information becomes available. Inherent
to this strategy is the understanding that timber rattlesnakes are sensitive to human disturbance, primarily
through direct killing when they are encountered.

Conservation measures:

1. EDUCATION
a. Bureau of Forestry Employees
i. Schedule training sessions for Forestry employees to inform them of rattlesnake biology, issues,
and how to best convey the information to loggers and others who may come into contact with
rattlesnakes
b. Loggers
i. Produce a brochure to hand out to loggers, fellers, skidders, and all other operators on State
Forest sites (including mineral and gas lessees) providing information on rattlesnake biology,
issues, and how to handle encounters with snakes
ii. Inform loggers in the preharvest conference (and other operators on State Forest lands) about
the Bureau of Forestry's concern for Timber Rattlesnakes, and inform them about how to handle
snake encounters
2. MANAGEMENT BUFFERS AROUND DEN SITES AND BASKING AREAS
a. Timber Harvest Seasonal Restriction: A 300 foot protective buffer will be implemented around all
known rattlesnake den sites and basking areas (as defined by a qualified rattlesnake expert) within
which timber harvest will be limited to the period between November 1 and March 31. Also, within this
buffer, no large rocks (> 2' diameter) may be disturbed by skidding activities.
b. Road/Landing Restriction: A 450 foot protective buffer will be implemented around all known
rattlesnake den sites and basking areas (as defined by a qualified rattlesnake expert) within which no
roads or log landings will be constructed or improved.
c. Recreational Trail Restriction: Recreational trails will avoid known rattlesnake den sites and
basking areas (as defined by a qualified rattlesnake expert) for new trail construction or rerouting.
3. QUESTIONAIRE TO EMPLOYEES TO GATHER DISTRIBUTIONAL DATA
a. A questionnaire will be distributed to Bureau of Forestry employees to gather information on timber
rattlesnake distribution.
4. SUPPORT RESEARCH TO EVALUATE PROTECTIVE MEASURES
a. The Bureau of Forestry will support research to evaluate important rattlesnake management issues
like the interaction with other forest management and use activities and identification of critical habitat
components.
b. The Bureau of Forestry may enlist the services of rattlesnake experts to compile a database of
known den sites, basking areas, and other critical habitat areas. This database would be used to plan
for other forest management activities and to compile a spatially explicit GIS habitat model to predict
areas of high probability of critical rattlesnake habitat.
 Bat Conservation Strategy
Introduction

Nine species of bats are known to inhabit Pennsylvania's forests (Table 1.1). Although little is known
about bat ecology, it is known that bats play an important role in the ecology of the forest system,
functioning as an insectivore of flying insects. Bat habitat consists of roosting sites, foraging areas, and
hibernation sites. The larger species of bats roost solitarily among tree foliage, while smaller bats in the
genus Myotis roost in social groups, under exfoliating bark or in tree cavities. Forage areas are selected
based on prey availability and the bat's size and maneuverability. Some of Pennsylvania's bat species
hibernate in rocky outcrops, caves, or talus slopes while others migrate long distances to southern North
America.

As a result of their small size and high energetic requirements, bats are especially vulnerable to stressors
and habitat alteration. In Pennsylvania, the Small-footed bat (Myotis leibii) is listed as threatened and the
Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is listed as federally endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Table
1.1). The decline of these species is attributed to the destruction or degradation of hibernacula, toxicity
from pesticides, reduction in prey items, and loss of old growth forests. Specific benefits of old growth
forests include increased diversity and abundance of prey (insects), the presence of large and old or dead
trees as roost sites, a complex vertical structure, and canopy gaps providing solar radiation to warm the
roost sites. As Pennsylvania's forests age into later second growth throughout much of the State Forest
system, large and/or dead trees and canopy gaps are not as abundant as in old growth forests. Some
taller growing species of trees, such as white pine (Pinus strobus), are beginning to grow above the
canopy, providing super-canopy roost sites. Through carefully planned timber harvesting, it is possible to
create canopy openings and vertical structure indicative of old growth conditions. Tree species that are
beneficial for bats can be also be managed for by following tree reservation guidelines. Managing for a
combination of forest characteristics can help improve or sustain current bat habitat conditions.

The Bureau of Forestry is committed to ecosystem management. By incorporating bat habitat

management into forest management, we can add diversity and stability to forests ecosystems. Bats are
integral in managing insect pests and contribute to forest health. As our understanding of the relationship
between bats and forests increases, we can identify adaptive management strategies to ensure
ecosystem sustainability.
Goals

1. Conduct inventories on bat species diversity and abundance on State Forest lands.
2. To evaluate various forest management activities and assess their impact on bat populations in
the State Forest system.
3. To assess the diversity and abundance of bat prey sources on State Forest lands.
4. Evaluate the applicability of using bat occurrence and activity as indicators of long-term forest
community health.
5. To manage the State Forest lands in such a way that promotes bats.

Interim Bat-Sensitive Reservation Guidelines for Timber Harvest Activities on

State Forest Lands (Proposed modifications to Bureau of Forestry current
Reservation Guidelines)
Even-age Reproduction

Reservation Guidelines

 Retain all dead snags in sale area that do not pose a safety hazard to the loggers
 Retain all shagbark and shellbark hickories in the sale area
 Retain a minimum of 5 live trees > 9 inches d.b.h. on each acre, representing the diversity of
species and size classes occurring pre-harvest on the site
 Retain living trees to provide shading on 1/3 of the large dead snags
 Retain "islands" of trees in timber sale area, with one 0.25
 1 acre island occurring for every 10 acres of harvest area
 Retain peninsulas or linear corridors of trees across all sales greater than 25 acres, preferably
wide enough to retain shading on the interior forest floor
 Retain all trees exhibiting visible bat maternity roosting activity (hear bats squeaking, observe bat
droppings, observe bats leaving tree)
 Exemptions may be granted following consultation and concurrence with the Bureau of Forestry's
Wildlife Biologist

Interim Indiana Bat Occurrence Guidelines (all timber harvest activities with PNDI
"hits" for Indiana Bats

 Implement "Interim Bat-Sensitive Reservation Guidelines for Timber Harvest Activities on State
Forest Lands"
 Mist net site a minimum of 1 net night per 100 acres of sale area if Indiana Bats detected on
ultrasonic survey
 If Indiana Bats are captured or observed leaving roost trees, timber harvest activities within a
one-mile radius will be suspended until Winter (November 16 - March 31operable window)
 Salvage operations will require consultation with the Wildlife Biologist and subsequent approval
prior to progression
 Exemptions may be granted following consultation and concurrence with the Bureau of Forestry's
Wildlife Biologist and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Special Management Areas

Important Bird Areas

IBA: http://pa.audubon.org/Ibamain.htm
DCNR will work with the PA Audubon and the Pennsylvania Biological Survey's Ornithological Technical
Committee in the identification and conservation of these unique or representative areas.

Important Mammal Areas

IMAP: http://www.pawildlife.org/imap.htm
DCNR will work with the PA Wildlife Federation and the Pennsylvania Biological Survey's Mammal
Technical Committee in the identification and conservation of these unique or representative areas.

Reptile & Amphibian Protection Areas

On April 9, 1979, the Bureau of Forestry and the Penns’ylvania Fish and Boat Commission designated
eighteen of the Natural Areas as special regulation areas for the protection of all amphibians and reptiles
within the designated areas. Section 77.1(b) of the Fishing and Boating Regulations states: "The taking,
catching, killing and possession of individuals of any species of Pennsylvania amphibians and reptiles
occurring naturally within the boundaries of designated Natural Areas, by persons other than those
possessing a valid scientific collectors permit is prohibited." On February 27, 1982, seven additional areas
were added to the list, and after another review, three more areas were listed on April 13, 1985, bringing
the total to 28 Natural Areas where amphibians and reptiles are protected.
Following is a listing of these areas:

REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN PROTECTION AREAS ON STATE FOREST LANDS

Name Acres Forest Location Features

Carbaugh 780 Michaux Adams Co., South U. S. 30 White pine-hemlock stream bottom with
Run near Caledonia. mixed oak on the side hills. Heavily cut
ARP three times for charcoal.
Sweet Root 1,403 Buchanan Bedford Co., 2 miles west Virgin hemlock surrounded by second
ARP of Chaneysville. growth mixed oak.
Frank E. 1,270 Tuscarora Perry Co., 12 miles west of Oldest second growth oak on State
Masland,Jr. Landisburg on Laurel Run Forest land.
ARP Road.
Roaring Run 3,090 Forbes Westmoreland Co., south Mountain-stream valley with second and
ARP of Rt. 31 on west side of third growth mixed mesophytic forest
Laurel Ridge. type.
*Bear 890 Rothrock Centre Co., 6 miles south Spruce-fir bog community.
Meadows of Boalsburg.
ARP
Big Flat 184 Rothrock Huntingdon & Centre Co., Laurel beds.
Laurel intersection of Bear Gap
ARP and Gettis Ridge Roads.
Detweiler 463 Rothrock Huntingdon Co., one mile Virgin hemlock-white pine with
Run north of Alan Seeger rhododendron understory.
ARP Natural Area along
Detweiler Run.
Little Juniata 624 Rothrock Huntingdon Co., west of Water gap, major fault line, thrust fault,
ARP Alexandria, a water gap in talus slope.
Tussey Mountain.
Charles F. 384 Gallitzin Indiana Co., northside of Steep-sided stream valley, nature trail
Lewis Conemaugh Gap, west of showing second growth northern
ARP Johnstown. hardwood and oak.
The Hook 5,119 Bald Eagle Union Co., north Branch Complete watershed in the Ridge and
ARP Buffalo Creek, 3 miles Valley, mixed oak forest.
north of Harleton.
Mt. Logan 512 Bald Eagle Clinton Co., Bald Eagle Old growth hemlocks and Tuscarora
ARP Mountain, east of sandstone outcrop.
Castanea.
Rosecrans 152 Bald Eagle Clinton Co., north of High mountain bog with cranberry,
Bog Loganton along Cranberry mountain holly and high bush blueberry.
ARP Road.
Tall Timbers 660 Bald Eagle Snyder Co., west of Second growth oak, white pine-hemlock
ARP Snyder-Middleswarth and oak-hard pine.
along Swift Run.
Marion 917 Moshannon Elk Co., at intersection of White birch, high mountain bog, mixed
Brooks Quehanna Highway & oak and laurel.
ARP Losey Road.
Cranberry 144 Sproul Clinton Co., Cranberry Mountain bog, beaver dams, native
Swamp Run, 3 miles south of cranberry.
ARP Renovo.
East Branch 186 Sproul Clinton Co., East Branch Mountain swamp, old growth hemlock,
Swamp Big Run, PA 144 & Beech portion affected by tornado.
ARP Creek Road.
Tamarack 86 Sproul Clinton Co., east of Tamarack-spruce swamp.
Swamp Tamarack.
ARP
Algerine 84 Tiadaghton Lycoming Co., south of the Spruce-fir swamp community with
Swamp Reynolds Spring Trail and pitcher plant, sundew, spahgnum moss.
ARP Gamble Run Road
intersection.
Bark Cabin 73 Tiadaghton Lycoming Co., near Old growth hemlocks and second growth
ARP Okome on headwaters of oak.
Bark Cabin Run.
Miller Run 4,987 Tiadaghton Lycoming Co., west of High plateau dissected by 4 streams,
ARP Pine Creek at Jersey Mills. variety of forest types & sites.
Lower Jerry 892 Elk Headwaters of Lower Jerry Old growth white pine-hemlock stand.
Run Run near Cameron-Clinton
ARP Co. line, west of Dutchman
Road.
Wykoff Run 1,215 Elk Cameron Co., at Junction White birch, white pine-hemlock, oak,
ARP of Wykoff and New Hoover northern hardwoods & large open areas.
Roads.
Forrest H. 1,521 Susquehannock Clinton Co., Hammersely Old growth hemlock-surrounded by
Dutlinger Fork, Beech Bottom second growth hardwoods.
ARP Hollow.
Black Ash 308 Tioga Tioga Co., Asaph Run. Old beaver meadow surrounded by
Swamp northern hardwood forest, once a
ARP mountain bog.
Reynolds 1,302 Tioga Tioga Co., at intersection High mountain bog surrounded by white
Spring of Gamble Run and pine and pitch pine, aspen and oak
ARP Reynolds Spring Road. forest.
Buckhorn 471 Delaware Pike Co., one mile east of Mountain swamp, oak forest, rock
ARP Pond Eddy. ledges.
Pennel Run 936 Delaware Pike Co., two miles west of Scrub oak, mixed oak forest, mountain
ARP Twelve Mile Pond. swamp, sheep laurel.
*Kettle Creek 774 Wyoming Sullivan Co., 5 miles south Complete watershed with second growth
Gorge of Hillsgrove on the northern hardwoods, aspen, oak.
ARP Ogdonia Road.

ACTIONS:

 Work with local stakeholders to seek socially, economically, and biologically preferred deer
management goals and strategies.
 Use demonstration areas to evaluated localized deer management options, incorporating
science, education, and stakeholder input into the system.
 Educate hunters and landowners on localized deer census techniques.
 Work to improve the role of white-tailed deer management in overall forest management within
Pennsylvania.
  Use up-to-date information on the current ranges, distributions, and site-specific locations of
wildlife species in planning for forest management.
 Provide training to our forest land managers about techniques in wildlife habitat management and
conservation.
 Work with conservation organizations on special wildlife habitat projects.

Monitoring
Indicators:

 The number of forest dependent species.

 The status (rare, threatened, endangered, or extinct) of forest dependent species at risk of not
maintaining viable breeding populations, as determined by scientific assessment.
 Number of forest dependent species that occupy a small portion of their former range.
 Population levels of representative species from diverse habitats monitored across their range.

Critical Research Needs

 Effects of different types of forest fragmentation on fauna.
 Evaluation of different strategies in localized deer management.
 Identify and monitor the effects of forest pests, non-native, and invasive species on native fauna.
 Inventory of invertebrates, small mammals, and other poorly understood or under inventoried
taxa.
 Effects of herbicide and pesticide use on fauna.
 Evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed burning as a habitat management tool
 Research of caves and karst features on state forest lands to determine the faunal composition of
these caves and identify specific needs for conservation