Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

here will reduce some of that habitat to more effectively protect the rest. Suchforests, in their present condition, are also more likely to be catastrophicallydisturbed because of higher physiological stress, caused by increased tree density,higher fire hazard, and higher horizontal and vertical fuel continuity.Recommendations to reduce owl habitat in order to save it may seem a paradox.We believe that such implementation will, in the long run, better protectowl habitat than a more short-sighted attempt to continue total protection.Active management in some areas to reduce the probability of large-scale catastrophicevents is the most rational management direction.Table F.1. Synopsis of catastrophic risk levels fromfour natural disturbance agents in the three forestsubregions.Disturbance West Klamath EastAgent Cascades Subregion CascadesSubregionSubregionFire Low High HighWind Moderate-Low* Low** LowInsects Low Moderate HighDiseases Low Moderate High'may be high in areas close to the coast--may be moderate in areas close to the coast422