| A unit of Lasting Forests
evolving since March 30, 1999 |
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A Total Forest Management Plan
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Cropland, pastures, greenways, fallow fields, rangelands, and "wildlife clearings" have a special group of wild animals well adapted to the conditions there. Pastures, greenways, and fallow fields or meadows can be essential areas for some species. In many cases, the edge of such areas is more important than the area ("the hole makes the doughnut"). Intensive use of crops is rarely compatible with animals and some of them become pests. Insects and weed seeds are eaten and animals do perform a valuable set of services. Insecticides and herbicides (that reduce weed seeds) used without regard to species, amounts, season. timing, and method of application can be harmful to these wild animals. When conditions are right, mowing and prescribed burns can be a low-cost means to produce such desirable conditions.
Generally recommended techniques within this area include constructing (or improving or restoring) hedgerows, windbreaks, living fences, brushpiles, rotation mowing, planting wild-animal-beneficial food plots, fencing areas from grazing, and using rotation grazing. Along with grazing, disking, plowing, or burning can be used to set back plant growth (succession) every 3-4 years and to maintain diverse aggregations of grasses and forbs that are intolerant of shade. Insect production from such areas may be more important than plant material as forage.
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This Web site is maintained by R. H.
Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.