Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

when the population of owls in the matrix is at the level of those found in theDCA, their demographic rates are similar to those in DCAs, and forest managementhas been demonstrated to be compatible with the owls.2. Determine when it would be appropriate to broaden management recommendationswithin DCAs based on 1) achievement of stable, self-sustainingnumbers of owls or amounts of suitable habitat that exceed predictions, 2)demonstrated success of management activities in providing for owls, or 3)demonstrated need to reduce likelihood of large-scale disturbances.The recovery plan recommends that some forms of salvage be allowed withinDCAs and that some limited attempts begin to use management to improvehabitat and to decrease the risk of disturbance. Monitoring both the implementationand effectiveness of these activities is crucial because they willinfluence the capability of the DCAs to support owls. As monitoring adds toknowledge about the use of management practices in DCAs, it may be useful toincrease and broaden application of those practices. If management is demonstratedto be useful in developing younger, currently unsuitable stands, theuse of such management should be encouraged beyond the levels establishedin this plan. If management is shown to be useful in older stands, recommendationsmay be broadened to include those stands. If owl numbers oramounts of suitable habitat exceed predictions, it may be useful to define acore area of the DCA that would continue to be managed under current guidelinesand additional areas that would be managed with fewer restrictions onthe use of silviculture, salvage, and other management options. Finally, if theability to maintain suitable habitat while reducing the risk of large-scaledisturbance is demonstrated, such activities should be encouraged withinDCAs that are at high risk.3. Determine when it would be appropriate to end special management forreserved pair areas based on improved conditions in individual DCAs orgroups of DCAs.The recovery plan recommends that additional pair areas be established wherethe DCA system is currently deficient. If those deficiencies are corrected, itmay be appropriate to modify management within those pair areas.4. Determine when it would be appropriate to supplement or modify the DCAsystem based on unexpectedly poor performance of owl populations (i.e.,survival rates, fecundity rates, and immigration rates).The monitoring and research program will provide data on the populationdynamics of owls within the DCA system. If it becomes clear that populationsare not replacing themselves within these areas, or that immigration is notoccurring as expected among areas, one of the following actions may be appropriate:a. Modify DCAs where possible to include any contiguous areas of highowl concentrations and habitat with low levels of fragmentation.b. Add new DCAs to the system, emphasizing areas of high owl concentrationand high quality habitat.c. Add new DCAs to the system with the primary objective of reducing thedispersal distance among DCAs.d. Modify the recommendations for management within DCAs.5. Determine when it would be appropriate to modify matrix managementrecommendations based on impending isolation of DCA subpopulationsdetermined through unexpectedly low rates of movement among DCAs.205