These measures track species groups with important ecological functions and/or significant public interest. Each group prefers different habitat and reacts differently to forest management. Measures address status (e.g., are species abundant? at risk?) and trends (e.g., increasing? decreasing? stable?).

Forest carnivores, as a class of species that require large territories or are sensitive to disturbance of their habitat. (Fig. 1)

Deer and other ungulates, because populations are growing as a result of conservation measures, habitat changes, and suppression of predators. In some regions, large populations significantly affect forest vegetation. (Fig. 2)

Birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, and owls, because many require large territories or are sensitive to disturbance of their habitat. (Fig. 3)

Birds that favor mature forests, as a class of species that require older forests and/or significant areas of unbroken forest. (Fig. 4)

Status and trends of forest-edge birds, as a class of species that favor younger forests or forest edge areas. (Fig. 5)

All bird species favoring mature forest are considered "apparently secure". In the east, about 40 percent are increasing, an equal number had no significant change, and about 20 percent declined. In the west, about 20 percent increased, 20 percent decreased, and about half had no significant change.

More than half of forest birds of prey appear to have stable populations and three, including the bald eagle, have increasing populations.

All bird species favoring forest edges are considered "apparently secure". Roughly 30 percent of forest-edge birds increased from 1980 to 1996, and roughly 20 percent decreased. From 1966 to 1979, many more species decreased than increased. In both time periods, roughly half of all species had no significant change.

White-tailed deer have increased in numbers over the past 20 years, but this trend appears to be leveling off.

Forest Carnivores (1)	White-Tailed Deer (2) Technical Note
	Source: USDA Forest Service

Birds Of Prey (3) Technical Note	Birds Of Mature Forests (4) Technical Note
Source: Fuller, 1996, The Nature Conservancy, and the network of Heritage Programs
About half of U.S. raptors depend on forests for a part of their life cycle.	Source: USGS, Breeding Bird Survey, The Nature Conservancy, and the network of Heritage Programs

Birds Of Forest Edges (5) Technical Note

Source: USGS, Breeding Bird Survey, The Nature Conservancy, and the network of Heritage Programs