Wildlife Habitat in a Dynamic Landscape

New England's wildlife habitats and food resources have changed dramatically as the landscape has been transformed through time from forest to open fields and woodlots and then back to forest.

The shift in our landscape to older, more continuously developing forests may encourage native woodland species, but it also reduces habitat for open-land species. Forest management, by giving special consideration to particular wildlife species, can create additional habitats or recreate many natural environments.

As forest and conservation management proceeds, choices must be made as to which specific values to emphasize in specific areas. An understanding of history, biology, and management practices assists greatly in defining and reaching specific conservation and management goals. However, ultimately the selection of those goals is a subjective process.