A Forest Management Plan for Ruffed Grouse in Northern Michigan
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
C. Griffin
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1142
Start Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
Keywords
Environment
Abstract
Ruffed grouse are medium-sized birds that predominately live on the ground foraging for berries, seeds, and insects. While often hunted for sport, they are also valued for their physical features and unique non-vocal courtship displays. I will develop a forest management plan for a privately owned site in northern Michigan, measuring DBHs of aspen and evaluating site suitability for ruffed grouse habitat based on understory density, forest stand type, and tree age distribution. While ruffed grouse have been observed on the property, current densities of red pine and undesirable aspen ages make further populating unlikely. Management of the site will be necessary if higher numbers of ruffed grouse are desired. Any data collected from this study will be utilized by the site owners and disseminated when appropriate.
A Forest Management Plan for Ruffed Grouse in Northern Michigan
Kirkhof Center 1142
Ruffed grouse are medium-sized birds that predominately live on the ground foraging for berries, seeds, and insects. While often hunted for sport, they are also valued for their physical features and unique non-vocal courtship displays. I will develop a forest management plan for a privately owned site in northern Michigan, measuring DBHs of aspen and evaluating site suitability for ruffed grouse habitat based on understory density, forest stand type, and tree age distribution. While ruffed grouse have been observed on the property, current densities of red pine and undesirable aspen ages make further populating unlikely. Management of the site will be necessary if higher numbers of ruffed grouse are desired. Any data collected from this study will be utilized by the site owners and disseminated when appropriate.