[ODF_Private_Forests] New OFRI publication explores research on amphibians and timber harvest

[WEEKS Kevin]

Private Forests News list members:
This news release is forwarded at the request of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.

Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
(503) 945-7427
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oregon Forest Resources Institute
News Release

Dec.29, 2009
Contact: Dave Kvamme, 971-673-2948

New publication explores research on amphibians and timber harvest

PORTLAND, Ore. - Research conducted in the Pacific Northwest provides new insights on the effect of forest management activities on stream-associated amphibians, and a new publication from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute offers a synthesis of recent findings.

Wildlife in Managed Forests: Stream-Associated Amphibians, is OFRI's latest publication, and it synthesizes the latest science findings to help forest managers, fish and wildlife experts, conservation organizations, regulators and policymakers to develop more effective practices and plans to protect amphibian habitat on managed forestlands.

According to the research, protection schemes in place for fish habitat may not, by themselves, be effective for some amphibian species. Targeted and site-specific measures might be needed to protect them. For instance, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to forested buffers along streams, land managers might be encouraged to leave wider buffers in areas amphibians are more likely to inhabit, and leave no buffers elsewhere.

Though not yet conclusive, recent studies have expanded scientists' understanding on how a significant number of Northwest amphibian species rely on perennial and seasonal headwater streams, while others rely on forested riparian habitat. Studies using refined methodology are also yielding insights into aspects of amphibian habitat, population dynamics and responses to habitat disruption.

Stream-Associated Amphibians is the third in OFRI's "Wildlife in Managed Forests" series, joining Elk and Northern Spotted Owl. These booklets are recommended reading for forest managers but have proven especially popular with owners of small- and medium- size forestlands, who do not have staff biologists to interpret complex science.

The publication grew out of a joint symposium held by the Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology and the Washington Chapter of the Wildlife Society in February 2009 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash.

Publications can be ordered free online or downloaded at OFRI's Web site at oregonforests.org.

-30-
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/private_forests/attachments/20091229/dee046a4/attachment.html>