Tongass National Forest

Deer Model Updates

The deer model used for the 1997 Forest Plan analyses was designed to work primarily with timber type and volume maps. A new vegetation mapping model (Size-Density Model) has been developed that could be beneficial for the deer model. The deer model was adjusted to incorporate the new vegetation mapping model.

In addition, this model works for larger sized landscapes, but does not work very well for most project analyses. Therefore, a new food-based model, which shows more promise for use at a local scale, is being developed by Pacific Northwest Research Station, University of Alaska, and other scientists. This model, which is referred to as the Forage Resource Evaluation System for Habitat - Deer, will be developed into a peer-reviewed report upon completion.

Work Product(s): The existing deer model was refined to fit the new vegetation mapping model. A new project-level, food-based deer model is also being developed.

Science Consistency: The Pacific Northwest Research Station, University of Alaska, and other scientists developed the peer-reviewed work products for the new deer model, provided consultation regarding the current model, as well as science consistency comments, relative to this work item, for the Draft EIS.