GREATER FUNDY ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH PROJECT

UNB Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management


Forest Management Guidelines to Protect
Native Biodiversity in the Fundy Model Forest

Landscape Level Considerations

Connectivity

Connectivity refers to the arrangement of patches on the landscape and the ability of organisms to use those patches (see review by Lindenmayer, 1994). If a given species of wildlife cannot travel between forest patches, then those patches are considered disconnected. Since many organisms use a variety of patches on the landscape, maintaining connectivity between them is essential.

The exact specifications for connectivity are not well known. Most connectivity-related research has been done in predominately agricultural rather than forested landscapes. Furthermore, it is difficult to extrapolate from individual species connectivity requirements to general rules. However, it is known with certainty that connectivity is important for the survival of populations.
There are three important elements to connectivity. Any connection between patches of forest must be defined in terms of vegetative cover, corridor width, and corridor length. The goal is to maintain functional connections on the landscape rather than have ribbons of uncut forest running between patches of forest. To devise some general rules, relevant data were examined from a number of sources. There is specific research underway on Flying Squirrels and their connectivity requirements in the Fundy Model Forest. There is also relevant research on Grey Wolf and American Marten from Banff National Park and Bachman's Sparrow from forested areas in Florida. We also searched for rules from other jurisdictions, and found some from British Columbia. That information is presented in Table 3.

Best Management Practice - Based on the available relevant research, we recommend that the Fundy Model Forest works towards the implementation and maintenance of forested connections of a minimum width of 300 m and a maximum length of 3 km. The 300 m width reflects the minimum value from the above studies and should still permit much of the habitat conditions for the slower movement of plant species. The forested connections should have a closed canopy forest (minimum 35% crown closure) of any species, with a minimum canopy height of 12 m. From preliminary research, it appears that selection cuts will meet the requirements of connectivity. It is possible that block harvest scheduling and buffer strips will accommodate the connections. Corridors do not need to be permanent features if adjacent areas grow to equal standards and maintain the connection.

There is an important project ongoing in the Fundy Model Forest on the effects of fragmentation on Flying Squirrels. Although the data are not yet fully analysed, the best management practice selected are consistent with the preliminary findings of that study. There is much to be done in this area and the above guidelines are still developing standards. Connections also will have to be considered between broad regional areas.

Go to Guidelines for:
Patch Size (Forest Stand Size)
Stand Age - Provisions for Mature Forest Stands
Incorporating Maturity into Forest Harvest Schedules
Guidelines for Mature/Overmature Coniferous Forest
Plantations
Stand Conversion
Roads
Protected Areas
Water Course Buffers

Habitat Considerations for Specific Species
Special Status Tree Species
Coarse Woody Debris
Snag and Cavity Tree Retention


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Information provided by:
Dr. Graham Forbes
Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at UNB
Last Update: Dec 17, 1997
This document: http://www.unb.ca/web/forestry/centers/cwru/connect.htm