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Balancing game and non-game wildlife management on Skyline WMA in Jackson County, Alabama

Problem. The fundamental objective is to develop management recommendations for J.D. Martin Skyline WMA (hereafter Skyline) that provide an optimal balance between management for game and non-game (GCN) wildlife, recreational uses, Natural areas," and serve as a model for developing similar recomm

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Balancing game and non-game wildlife management on Skyline WMA in Jackson County, Alabama

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    1. Frank Allen Nick Sharp Andrew Nix Balancing game and non-game wildlife management on Skyline WMA in Jackson County, Alabama

    2. Problem The fundamental objective is to develop management recommendations for J.D. Martin Skyline WMA (hereafter Skyline) that provide an optimal balance between management for game and non-game (GCN) wildlife, recreational uses, “Natural areas,” and serve as a model for developing similar recommendations for other ADCNR-managed lands.

    3. Fundamental objectives Maintain or restore ecosystem function Maximize habitat quality and quantity for hunted species Maximize outdoor recreation opportunities

    4. Objectives Maintain or restore ecosystem function Maximize habitat occupied by aquatic and terrestrial priority species from Alabama Wildlife Conservation Strategy Conserve and restore natural areas Reduce invasive species Minimize cave access by people Minimize disturbance to archeological sites Conserve and restore aquatic ecosystems Minimize sedimentation rates Maximize stream buffer width (trees) (>300’ in floodplain, 180’ outside floodplain) Reduce effects of invasive species on aquatic systems

    5. Objectives Maximize habitat quality and quantity for hunted species Maximize outdoor recreation opportunities Maximize hunting opportunities Maximize non-hunting recreational opportunities Increase hiking opportunities on FWLT lands Horseback riding on FWLT lands

    6. Alternatives Portfolios for where and how much: Forest Management Uneven-aged management Conversion to early successional Even-aged management 129 yr rotation Non-forested Maintenance of early successional Exotics – native vegetations Row crop – native warm season grasses Trails 100 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails Stream Buffers Variable width

    7. Land ownership

    8. Consequences

    9. Tradeoffs – via utilities Game species Non-game species

    10. Next steps Present prototype to decision makers Engage them in the process Use occupancy data where available to estimate relationships Develop spatially explicit Bayesian models Map areas with the greatest utility for management practices under different portfolios Quantify expected species responses via occupancy Follow up – biweekly Teleconferences 2-day meetings

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