Assessing the cumulative effects of linear recreation routes on wildlife habitats on the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests.

Abstract

We conducted a literature review to document the effects of linear recreation routes on focal wildlife species. We identified a variety of interactions between focal species and roads, motorized trails, and nonmotorized trails. We used the available science to develop simple geographic information system-based models to evaluate the cumulative effects of recreational routes on habitats for focal wildlife species for a portion of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests in the state of Washington. This process yielded a basis for the consistent evaluation of the cumulative effects of roads and recreation trails on wildlife habitats, and identified information gaps for future research and monitoring. We suggest that managers use an adaptive management approach to address wildlife and recreation interactions because of the complexity and uncertainty of these issues.Keywords: Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, linear recreation routes, focal wildlife species, cumulative effects. SummaryWe conducted a literature review to document the effects of linear recreation routes (roads, motorized trails, nonmotorized trails, designated and groomed ski and snowmobile routes) on wildlife and to assess the current level of human influences on focal wildlife species habitats on a portion of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests in the state of Washington. The assessment consisted of seven steps: (1) identification of wildlife species and groups, ( 2) identification of focal species within each wildlife group, (3) identification of the road-and trail-associated factors for each focal species, (4) development of assessment processes and geographic information system (GIS) models to evaluate the influence of road-and trail-associated factors on focal species habitats, (5) application of the models to assess the current conditions of focal species habitats, (6) identification of information gaps, and (7) monitoring and adaptive management. Completion of this process yields a basis for the consistent evaluation of the cumulative effects of roads and recreation trails on wildlife habitats relative to the existing baseline conditions.We identified 238 articles on the effects of recreation trails, roads, and related subjects on wildlife. Of these, 183 articles were used to identify the interactions between roads and recreation trails and 29 focal wildlife species. These articles included technical publications, books, agency publications, theses, and dissertations.There is more science available to describe the interactions between focal wildlife species and roads than between focal species and recreation trails. Much of the research has been focused on wide-ranging carnivores and ungulates. Other lesser known species could benefit from additional research on the effects of roads, especially for less mobile species where roads may inhibit movements or fragment habitats. The most common reported interactions included displacement and avoidance where animals were reported as altering their use of habitats in response to road...

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