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1W BIo-Logic <br /> Inc <br /> Natural Resource Consultants <br /> conifer forest, or ponderosa pine/Gambel oak forest, provide the best quality habitat for MSO and are the <br /> areas where MSO occur in highest abundance(FWS 2012a). <br /> The FWS critical habitat designation(FWS 2004) identifies the following primary constituent elements <br /> for MSO forest habitats: <br /> The primary constituent elements which occur for the owl within mixed conifer,pine-oak, and <br /> riparian forest types that provide for one or more of the owl's habitat needs for nesting,roosting, <br /> foraging, and dispersing are in areas defined by: <br /> A. Primary constituent elements related to forest structure: <br /> (1)A range of tree species, including mixed conifer, pine-oak, and riparian forest types, composed of <br /> different tree sizes reflecting different ages of trees, 30 percent to 45 percent of which are large trees <br /> with a trunk diameter of 12 inches or more; <br /> (2)A shade canopy created by the tree branches covering 40 percent or more of the ground; and <br /> (3)Large dead trees(snags)with a trunk diameter of at least 12 inches. <br /> B. Primary constituent elements related to maintenance of adequate prey species: <br /> (1)High volumes of fallen trees and other woody debris; <br /> (2)A wide range of tree and plant species, including hardwoods; and <br /> (3)Adequate levels of residual plant cover to maintain fruits, seeds,and allow plant regeneration. <br /> The forest habitat attributes listed above usually are present with increasing forest age,but their <br /> occurrence may vary by location, past forest management practices or natural disturbance events, <br /> forest type,productivity, and plant succession.These characteristics may also be observed in younger <br /> stands, especially when the stands contain remnant large trees or patches of large trees from earlier <br /> stands. Certain forest management practices may also enhance tree growth and mature stand <br /> characteristics where the older, larger trees are allowed to persist. <br /> The MSO Recovery Plan(FWS 2012a) includes recommendations on forest conservation and <br /> management to protect and recover MSO populations. Appendix C of the Recovery Plan offers the <br /> following minimum characteristics for mixed conifer and pine/oak forests, in order to meet MSO habitat <br /> needs for breeding and foraging. Note that the Forest Type in the table below applicable to the Hitch <br /> Rack Ranch is SRM(Southern Rocky Mountains),mixed conifer; BA refers to basal area of trees, <br /> measured as ft2/acre; and dbh is tree diameter at breast height. <br /> --- ----- -- -- — --- <br /> 6 <br />