Primarily Forested Landscape
Hudson Valley Habitat Management Decision Tree (for managing bird habitats):Primarily Forested Landscape
Landscape that is >70% forested.
Step Forested-1: What is the current condition of the property?
- Non-forested (grassland, crop field, old field, etc.); clearable by brush hog: Consider allowing the property to succeed into forest or actively restoring native forest tree and shrub species on the property if the property is <200 acres in size; consider managing for Grassland birds if the property is >200 acres in size.
- Forested (enough trees present that brush hogging is not possible): Go to Step Forested-2
Step Forested-2: What is the size of the property to be managed?
- <3 acres: Go to Step Forested-3a
- Between 3 and 25 acres: Go to Step Forested-3b
- >25 acres: Go to Step Forested-3c
Step Forested-3a: What is the condition of the adjacent properties?
- <75% forested or primarily young (early-successional) forest: Consider managing for Early-successional Forest birds.
- >75% forested with most in a relatively mature state: Consider managing for Mature Forest birds.
Step Forested-3b: What is the condition of the adjacent properties?
- >50% "open" land uses (e.g., crops, pasture, hayfields, etc.): Consider managing the property for Shrubland and/or Early-successional Forest birds.
- >50% forested, with most of the forest in a relatively mature state: Consider managing for birds that require Early-successional Forest habitat.
- >50% forested, with most of the forest in a relatively young (i.e. early-successional) state: Consider managing for Mature Forest birds.
Step Forested-3c: What is the condition of the adjacent properties?
- >50% "open" land uses (e.g., crops, pasture, hayfields, etc.): Consider managing the property for Mature Forest birds.
- >50% forested, with most of the forest in a relatively mature state: Consider managing the majority of the property for birds that require Mature Forest habitat with smaller patches within the property managed for Early-successional Forest birds (3-25 acres each, their total not to exceed 25% of the property or in conjunction with other early-successional habitat in the landscape not to exceed10% of the landscape at one time).
- >50% forested, with most of the forest in a relatively young (i.e. early-successional) state: Consider managing for Mature Forest birds.
How you can help, right now
Donate to Audubon
Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts.