Recent and Historic Land Covers of the Big River Management Area
Implications for Early Successional Habitat Management

Maria Harris

Brown University, ScB, May 2006.

Species that depend on early successional habitat (ESH) are experiencing population declines across the Northeast United States. In order to stabilize and maintain ESH-dependent species populations, active management strategies aimed at increasing the area of ESH through disturbance are thought to be required. In addition, recent studies have stressed the importance of accounting for effects of land use history when forming habitat conservation plans, including plans for ESH management. This study examines the land cover history of the Big River Management Area (BRMA), a 3,500 hectare (8,600 acre) tract of state-owned land currently targeted for ESH management.

The land use history of the BRMA is largely agricultural, although agriculture was relatively unproductive. Since 1939, total transitional forest area has decreased from191 to 113 hectares in 1970 and to 92 hectares in 1997. It is unclear whether the state management goal of 20% seedling-sapling forest cover represents any historical condition on the BRMA. In planning future ESH management of the BRMA, it is important to balance the goal of raising the populations of ESH species with the need to account for land use history. This study illustrates the importance of researching the specific local land cover history of areas targeted for management if informed ESH management decisions are to be made.

Variations in rates and patterns of reforestation on sites targeted for management should also be accounted for in ESH management plans. This study exa mines reforestation patterns and rates on 19 Big River ESH patches targeted for management by the RI DEM. The results of field sampling provide support for a gradual form of invasion of sample sites by white pines and pitch pines. Yearly mowing would be unnecessary to prevent reforestation by pines after initial management, but could be required every 8-9 years if open habitat maintenance is desired.