UPLAND FOREST: Population/Habitat Objectives

Upland forests and the birds that depend on them are currently abundant and widespread within the planning unit. Objectives should focus on identifying and maintaining remaining forest blocks large enough to support the full compliment of forest birds and source populations of declining species.

Objective 1) Maintain enough upland forest to support a population of 800,000 Wood Thrushes.

Justification: The Wood Thrush is one of the best indicator species for the entire gradient of upland forests from hardwood-dominated to pine-dominated. This species is common and widespread and co-occurs with all of the other priority species within this habitat type.

Assumptions: It is assumed that maintaining enough upland forest to support 800,000 Wood Thrushes will provide significant habitat for all other priority species associated with upland forests.