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Wildlife Habitat Management on the
Northern Prairie Landscape

Douglas H. Johnson*^a, Susan D. Haseltine^b and Lewis M. Cowardin^a

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Abstract: The northern prairie landscape has changed dramatically within the past century as a result of settlement by Europeans. Natural ecosystems have been disrupted and wildlife populations greatly altered. Natural resource agencies control only limited areas within the landscape, which they cannot manage independently of privately owned lands. Wildlife managers need first to set quantifiable objectives, based on the survival, reproduction, and distribution of wildlife. Second, they need to build public support and partnerships for meeting those objectives. Finally, they need to evaluate progress not only with respect to attitudes of the public and partners but, more importantly, of the wildlife response. This paper describes some useful tools for managing information at all phases of this process. We follow by discussing management options at a landscape level. Examples are given that involve agency lands as well as private lands, managed for biological resources and diversity as well as economic sustainability.

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This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 0893):

Johnson, Douglas H., Susan D. Haseltine, and Lewis M. Cowardin.  1994.  Wildlife 
     habitat management on the northern prairie landscape.  Landscape and Urban 
     Planning 28:5-21.

This resource should be cited as:

Johnson, Douglas H., Susan D. Haseltine, and Lewis M. Cowardin.  1994.  Wildlife 
     habitat management on the northern prairie landscape.  Landscape and Urban 
     Planning 28:5-21.  Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 
     Online.  http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/whabmgt/index.htm  
     (Version 30APR2001).

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Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Prairie Pothole Region
• Setting Objectives for Wildlife Management
• Information Tools Available
  • GIS Data Bases
  • Gap Analysis
  • Habitat Suitability Index Models
  • The Mallard Model
• Management by Habitat Acquisition
  • History
  • Selection of Lands
  • Current Status
  • The Public's Views
  • Example: Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge
• Management of Private Lands
  • Available Tools
  • The Public's Views
  • Examples
  • Management by Regulation and Subsidy
  • An example — the Conservation Reserve Program
• Managing Through Partnerships
  • The North American Waterfowl Management Plan
  • Example: The Prairie Pothole Joint Venture
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgments
• References

Tables and Figures

• Table 1 -- Predicted increases in mallard production for Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge under eight alternatives
• Figure 1 -- The Prairie Pothole Region of North America

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^a US Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND 58401, USA
^b US Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuges and Wildlife, Fort Snelling, MN 55111, USA

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