Sharp-tailed Grouse Management on Moquah Barrens. Thomas C. J Doolittle, Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service Washburn, WI

Transcription

1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Management on Moquah Barrens Thomas C. J Doolittle, Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service Washburn, WI

2 1950 MOU supplement - Forest Service will "reserve for sharptailed and pinnated grouse management certain areas which, to the best knowledge available, meet the requirements of these birds for large openings 1965 MOU Supplement - "The Chequamegon National Forest agrees to establish the Moquah Barrens Wildlife Management Area to be managed primarily for sharp-tailed grouse, along with other wildlife species and resource values, in accordance with multiple use objectives."

3

4 Historic Pine Barrens on the Washburn Ranger District Savanna Bayfield County 1890

5 Pine Barrens Pine barrens are ecosystems that are dominated by grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees and occur on poor-quality sandy soils. Fire is a major disturbance factor in these ecosystems. The pine barrens of Northwest Wisconsin are a unique ecosystem that once covered over 2.3 million acres. Today, it is estimated that only 1 percent of that total remains. Because they are so rare pine barrens are considered imperiled both in the state of Wisconsin and globally.

6

7

8

9

10 Project area -22,900 acres core area satellite barrens

11

12 Kirtland s Warbler

13

14 Wild Turkey

15 Brown Thrasher

16

17 American Woodcock

18 Golden-winged American Warbler Woodcock Ruffed Grouse

19 Golden-winged Warbler

20 Whip-poor-will

21 Least Flycatcher

22

23 Upland Sandpiper Sharp-tailed Grouse

24 The Journey Story Vesper Sparrow Eastern Towhee Sharp-tailed Grouse

25 Moquah Barrens New Boundary

26

27

28

29

30

31

32 Number of Dancing Males Observed Managed Property Crex Meadows W.A Douglas County W.A Kimberly Clark W.A n/a 8 na 3 Moquah Barrens W.M.A Namekagon Barrens W.A Pershing W.A Riley Lake W.M.A Wood County W.A. n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a na na Dike Seventeen n/a na na Barnes Barrens Mgmt Area - will be added in final draft Total % Change 42% -6% -4% -7% -33% 29% -17%

33

34

35

36

37 Exposure Figure, illustrative example WICCI 2011 Where are birds most vulnerable?

38 Sensitivity Which variables have the strongest influence?

39 Spotted Knapweed Spotted Knapweed Photo: W.T. Oehmichen

40 Leafy Spurge Photo: USDA

41 Recent Large-Scale Disturbances 2011 storm damage/subsequent harvest timber sales 2013 Germann Road fire

42 Proposed Action Mechanical Treatment, Brush Hog and Roller Chopper Masticator Restore the species composition and structure of the pine barrens Numerous areas that are currently too dense with young, regenerating forest for fire to carry will be mechanically treated (2,000+ acres) This field season about target areas are the leks sites (about 50 acres)

43

44

45

46 Proposed Action Prescribed Fire Multiple prescribed burns over 15,700 acres over 15 years to: Promote barrens vegetation Reduce competing shrub cover Improve wildlife habitat

47

48

49

50 450 acres by manual methods (Brush Saws)

51 Proposed Action Timber Harvest Restore the species composition and structure of the pine barrens Favor conifers over deciduous species 6,250 acres will be harvested to the desired density of trees Volume to date 34,000 cords (17 mmbf) Future volume 22,600 cords (11 mmbf)

52

53

54

55

56

57 Future of the Northwest Sands Project In the immediate future (2014) Harvest 450+ acres of timber to the desired species composition and structure Mechanically treat 500 acres with brushsaws to knock back encroaching shrubs. Burn 3,000 acres to help restore the pine barrens ecosystem Roller Chop and masticate 50 acres at or near 7 leks Long term (2015 to 2024) Timber harvest at least 2,000 more acres Mechanical treatment of 250+ acres each year Rx Fire will occur whenever an burn unit hits a trigger point 3,100 acres of fire in ,000 acre of fire in 2016

58 Comment on Black Torch EA/EIS Engage and Support the USFS and NRCS Lake Superior Landscape Initiative Entertain the concept of genetic rescue in Moquah Barrens Support Corridor Management to farmlands and forest south of US Highway 2.

59

60

61