A variety of wildlife habitat capability models are available to assist resource managers in estimating wildlife production. The estimates provided range from simple habitat indexes reflecting population potential to actual population densities. PATREC is used as an example of individual, species-specific models that provide a static, one-point estimate of wildlife production. DYNAST is presented as an example of simulation systems that provide continuous estimate of timber and related benefits (including wildlife), and that account for the cummulative influences of a given silvicultural strategy. The advantages and disadvantages of these models are discussed. The resource manager can use both types of models in estimating wildlife production to facilitate land management decisions. Considerable time and effort must be placed into developing and testing the algorithms used in these habitat models if they are to be successfully used as estimators of wildlife production.
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