Introduction Forest Faunal Systems is a hypertext unit about how to manage the forest wildlife resource. There is a mass of knowledge, richness of forest types, array of techniques, and mixture of objectives that makes the task very difficult. Principles or concepts are needed so that each unique situation can be reasonably approached. Though knowledge of animals is important, how to manage the total system is my first concern. It is something that must be done and done well, soon, by people.
Management requires more than facts and procedures, case histories, and problems.
It requires an active, dynamic total force applied by humans to land, for humans. I have said to my students that if I cannot detect any significant difference in a wildlife resource system after their management, then I surely do not intend to pay them, either as taxpayer or as client. Assuring significant, desired change in human benefits from the resource is the purpose of this book. This is a book for landowners and citizens, as well as for students who need to know what they can expect from a manager. I have done enough computer analyses to know that one best solution can be calculated for a situation and usually I realize how far action in the field is from that condition.