Peer Review

This document was reviewed by a group of practicing scientists, who gave valuable criticism that we have incorporated into the final plan document. Where an issue raised by a reviewer was not directly incorporated above, we have made an effort to explain why.

Our evaluation asseses the occurrencre of biological "elements" - species and communities - without analyzing whether these elements have the site and landscape processes needed for their persistence. However, we think this kind of analysis is important. Two efforts are now underway to facilitate such an assessment. The first is a careful review of existing literature on the species and communities of the Chattooga watershed, using an existing annotated bibliography (Rundle, 1995). The second is field studies of herbaceous plants, salamanders, and birds before and after timber harvest in areas presently slated for timber harvest in the Tuckaluge project area. The goal of these studies is to assess the effects of timber harvest on selectied biodiversity elements, and the results will provide baseline data that will help address whether the proposed plan can provide sufficient habitat to maintain viable populations of the plants and animals monitored. Such baseline data provide the basis for tract-specific protection priorities, the seriousness of specific threats, target population trends for key wildlife, and the success of management activities, including recreation impact assessment, and restoration efforts. In short, many opportunities lie ahead for further cooperation and progress toward the long-term conservation of the Chattooga River watershed.

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