Land Management
Objective 4. Conservation of Biological Diversity
To manage the quality and distribution of wildlife habitats and contribute to the conservation
of biological diversity by developing and implementing stand- and landscape-level measures
that promote a diversity of types of habitat and successional stages, and the conservation of
forest plants and animals, including aquatic species, as well as threatened and endangered
species, Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value, old-growth forests and ecologically
important sites.
Performance Measure 4.1. Program Participants shall conserve biological diversity.
Indicators:
1. Program to incorporate the conservation of native biological diversity, including species, wildlife
habitats and ecological community types at stand and landscape levels.
 Participants will perpetuate on the landscape a reasonable representation of the natural forest
types and structure.
 Harvests will be conducted to perpetuate existing habitat elements.
 Harvests plans will recognize site specific wildlife habitats and consider their protection where
appropriate i.e. heron rookeries, spawning areas, etc
 Significant habitats, such as vernal pools, eagle’s nest and deer wintering areas need to be
identified and specific management plans developed before harvesting occurs.
 Landowners having designated DWA’s or cooperative DWA agreements should document their
activities.
 Management of species having landscape level requirements such as pine martin and lynx
incorporate ongoing information provided by CFRU. Specific to lynx, refer to the Maine Forest
Products Council & IF&W management agreements.
2. Development of criteria and implementation of practices, as guided by regionally based best
scientific information, to retain stand-level wildlife habitat elements such as snags, stumps, mast
trees, down woody debris, den trees and nest trees.
 Prescriptions for individual harvests must address the retention of wildlife habitat elements and
have a system in place to verify the results. The participant should consider using Manomet’s
“Patch Retention System” to protect habitat elements, particularly on challenging sites such as
wet areas or ledge outcrops. Such areas frequently aren’t more than a quarter to half acre in
size.
 Guidance should be spelled out as to the frequency of habitat element occurrences.
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Concentrate “habitat elements” in area such as lakeside and streamside buffers, where
harvesting restrictions exist. In areas devoid of riparian zones, using the patch retention system
may work best. (See the Manomet study on patch retention and late successional forest.)
For sites where habitat elements are limited, whatever is on site most likely should be
maintained. For other wildlife elements like mass trees, more specificity may be needed so as
not to leave an inappropriate level of value on the landscape. For stands that are clearly beyond
maturity and have a lot of poor quality material, make sure guidelines wouldn’t lead to leaving
excess poor quality material that would negatively impact future stand development.
3. Document diversity of forest cover types and age or size classes at the individual ownership or
forest tenure level, and where credible data are available, at the landscape scale. Working
individually or collaboratively to support diversity of native forest cover types and age or size
classes that enhance biological diversity at the landscape scale.
 A participant, on their own lands, will develop a timeframe for obtaining information on its forest for
cover types, habitats, forest structure and age. (Note: There is a way cover types can be used to
determine how well the habitat needs of different species are being met. This methodology is fairly
complex to use and would likely require expert assistance.)
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If of interest to the Maine Forest Service, the participant will consider providing non proprietary
information or information aggregated with other landowners, in order to enhance understanding of
regional and landscape scale forest conditions for planning and management purposes.
4. Program Participants shall participate in or incorporate the results of state, provincial, or regional
conservation planning and priority-setting efforts to conserve biological diversity and consider these
efforts in forest management planning. Examples of credible priority-setting efforts include state
wildlife action plans, state forest action plans, relevant habitat conservation plans or provincial
wildlife recovery plans.
 ME’s SIC Wildlife Subcommittee is represented in the ME Wildlife Action Plan committee and
steering committee.
 ME’s SIC is a primary sponsor of the Fisheries Improvement Network.
 PPs supporting the MFPC, CFRU or SBW task force directly are in support of the SBW taskforce.
 PP’s in Downeast Maine participating in Project Share.
 Or other similar initiatives.
 Document management consideration derived from landscape conservation efforts previously
mentioned.
5. Program to address conservation of known sites with viable occurrences of significant species of
concern.
 Confer and MNAP and IF&W.
 Hire a forest ecologist to survey your land, if you have the resources.
6. Identification and protection of non-forested wetlands, including bogs, fens and marshes, and
vernal pools of ecological significance.
 Restricting operations to either dry periods or the winter, use of single grip harvesters, returning slash to
skid trails are options to consider. For vernal pools indicate you will follow BMPs.
 Operations wouldn’t take place in a fen.
 Refer statewide standards and ME BMP for water quality.
7. Participation in programs and demonstration of activities as appropriate to limit the introduction,
spread and impact of invasive exotic plants and animals that directly threaten or are likely to
threaten native plant and animal communities.
 On an annual basis, updates will be sought from appropriate sources including DIF&W, DEP, and DOC’s
Natural Areas program and Forest Health and Monitoring Division on invasive species that could
negatively impact native species and communities. These contacts must be documented. Such updates
will include inquiries on;
o Currently known locations,
o Recent publications and
o
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Management guidelines
Participants will commit to periodic training on key invasive species.
Participants will commit to adhering to quarantines and document compliance.
Any evidence of invasive species on participants land base will be reported to the appropriate agencies.
8. Consider the role of natural disturbances, including the use of prescribed or natural fire where
appropriate, and forest health threats in relation to biological diversity when developing forest
management plans.
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This indicator is probably not applicable on the participant’s land base. (The management of
fire associated species such as white pine and poplar can be accomplished through other
methodologies such as mechanical site preparation.)
Performance Measure 4.2. Program Participants shall protect threatened and endangered species,
Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values (FECV) and old-growth forests.
Indicators:
1. Program to protect threatened and endangered species.
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The participant’s program will include a query of MNAP and IF&W information for the location
and management strategies for endangered species located on their land base.
Participants will receive periodic training on endangered species and G1 and G2 species.
2. Program to locate and protect known sites flora and fauna associated with viable occurrences of
critically imperiled and imperiled species and communities also known as Forests with Exceptional
Conservation Value. Plans for protection may be developed independently or collaboratively, and
may include Program Participant management, cooperation with other stakeholders, or use of
easements, conservation land sales, exchanges, or other conservation strategies.
 Participants will establish plans to protect identified Forest of Exceptional Conservation Value
(where G1 & G2 communities are present) through such mechanisms as; land swaps,
conservation easements and land sales.
3. Support of and participation in plans or programs for the conservation of old-growth forests in the
region of ownership or forest tenure.
 Should have evidence of collaboration with Public Lands, or conservation groups such as TNC
on their measures to preserve old growth forest. For participants that have old growth forest,
you may consider land swaps, land sales or conservation easements.
Performance Measure 4.3. Program Participants shall manage ecologically important sites in a
manner that takes into account their unique qualities.
Indicators:
1. Use of information such as existing natural heritage data or expert advice in identifying or selecting
ecologically important sites for protection.
 Implement plans outlined in indicator 4.2.3
2. Appropriate mapping, cataloging and management of identified ecologically important sites.
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Implement plans outlined in indicator 4.2.3
Performance Measure 4.4. Program Participants shall apply knowledge gained through research,
science, technology and field experience to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to the conservation
of biological diversity.
Indicators:
1. Collection of information on Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value and other biodiversityrelated data through forest inventory processes, mapping or participation in external programs,
such as NatureServe, state or provincial heritage programs, or other credible systems. Such
participation may include providing non-proprietary scientific information, time and assistance by
staff, or in-kind or direct financial support.
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Participants may allow such groups as ME’s Natural Areas Program to inventory their lands for
non proprietary type information in order to identify forest of exceptional conservation value and
other biodiversity related data.
Forest inventories conducted by participants may incorporate information targeting potential
forest of exceptional value and biodiversity specific information as is practical.
2. A methodology to incorporate research results and field applications of biodiversity and ecosystem
research into forest management decisions.
 Participants will periodically review studies completed by organizations such as Manomet and
CFRU for information that they can incorporate into their forest management activities to
enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health (Using Manomet’s “Patch Retention and Late
Successional guidelines would be examples.)
Suggested Documentation:
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Document programs developed under this objective.
Document Participant’s criteria for selecting habitat elements (How many mass trees?)
Manomet and CFRU studies on late successional forests.
“Biodiversity in the Working Forest” publication, “Threatened and Endangered Species In
Forests of Maine” publication.
Guidelines for managing vernal pools (DIF&W document)
Documented training for participant’s staff on identification, location and management of specific
species, habitats and communities and such as; vernal pools, DWAs, Eagles nest, endangered
species, Martin & Lynx….
Documentation of commitments to participate with others on conservation of:
o Old growth forest
o Limitation of invasive exotic species
o Collection of information on forest of exceptional conservation value and other
biodiversity related data.
Training needs:
Biodiversity training. The State Implementation Committee has a module called, “Balancing
Wildlife Needs and Forest Products” including information on vernal pools, deer wintering areas,
biomass retention guidelines and T&E.
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Manomet and CFRU can put on training to cover anything from vernal pools, patch retention to
identifying and managing for late successional trees.