Northwest Lynx Habitat Reduced by Half

Blowdown trees provide denning habitat, but this can conflict with recreation. Clearcuts and leave strips on Loomis State Forest were supposed to leave 40% open and 60% closed, but this left little leeway for unexpected consequences. Large clearcuts on the Loomis State Forest were not to exceed 40 acres, but some did, impacting habitat (Monte Carlo timber sale). Roads and road maintenance disturb habitat and vegetation (Tiffany Meadows). Firelines as big as football fields repel wildlife. Large openings impact habitat on the Okanogan National Forest. Hazard tree reduction is up to 200 feet wide on National Forest roads, impacting habitat. Mulching can reduce erosion, but it also introduces noxious weeds, and smothers riparian vegetation. Beetle outbreaks and downfall can create good denning habitat, but this has potential for higher fire severity that needs long-term planning. Healthy ecosystems have a diverse mix of structure and species over time and space.

Images of the Okanogan Boreal Forest

This is a gallery of images showing recent disturbances that have decreased habitat for lynx and their prey, the snowshoe hare, in Okanogan County, Washington.