Southern Forest Resource Assessment led by the USDA Forest Service's Southern Region and Southern Research Station in collaboration with the USEPA, US Fish & Wildlife, TVA, and state forestry agencies of the Southern United States

Broad Category:  Landscape/Terrestrial Ecosystems

Question Manager: Kenneth Graham, Fish and Wildlife Service, replacing Joe Johnston, Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2000

Question TERRA-3: What are the likely effects of expanding human populations, urbanization and infrastructure development on wildlife and their habitats

1. Evaluate the current and potential impacts of exotic plants and animals.
2. Evaluate the impacts of land use changes and distinguish between permanent (i.e., forest to urban) and possibly transitory changes (i.e., forest to pasture, cropland to forest).
3. Describe historical changes and their known impacts.
4. Evaluate the effects of forest users (e.g., roads, trails, etc…).
5. Identify which wildlife species are favored and which are adversely affected by these factors.
6. Include population projections.

a.  Evaluate the current and potential impacts of exotic plants and animals.

b.  Evaluate the impacts of land use changes and distinguish between permanent (i.e., forest to urban) and possibly transitory changes (i.e., forest to pasture, cropland to forest).

c.  Describe historical changes and their known impacts.

d.  Evaluate the effects of forest users (e.g., roads, trails, etc…).

e.  Identify which wildlife species are favored and which are adversely affected by these factors.

f.  Include population projections.

Overview:

This is a review and compilation of data on a province basis relating to human development and its impact on wildlife in the Southeast.  This will not generate any maps or numbers for projections into the future.  The projections will be left to planners.

Methods of analysis:

1.  Land use types identified in the past and present will be evaluated with respect to their benefit and adverse impact to wildlife resources.

2.  Fragmentation types that result from human development will be identified and evaluated for the wildlife resources impacted and benefited as a result.  This will be coordinated with item III.1

3.  Review of the exotics that are present within the assessment area and their distribution and impacts on wildlife resources.

Data Sources:

Population census, FIA, GAP, APHIS, DOA agriculture statistics, State natural resource information.

Products:

1.  Tabular presentation of land use types by province.

2.  Tabular presentation of wildlife benefited and impacted by land use type.

3.  Tabular presentation of exotics and habitats impacted.

4.  Tabular presentation of any data gaps.

5.  Report discussing the data gathered.

Collaborators and Sources:

Links to other questions:  

The fragmentation is linked to item III.1, and the exotics is linked top II.2, II.4 and

Unresolved Issues: 

The final resolution of the data in the report is not known at this time.

Cited and Other Relevant Literature:

 modified: 29-FEB-2000