The results, however, are much the same. Non-management may also create large areas of dense structure. Without natural fire as a periodic disturbance, and with owners who lack an economic incentive to carry out silvicultural treatments like thinning or prescribed fire, these areas can become dominated by dense structures and lack the diversity that could help shield them from future large-area problems. Another important aspect of forest management is the regulation of wildlife populations. Where some wildlife species have been introduced intentionally for sport others have been eradicated to prevent damage.
Wildlife management means, for the most part, managing population levels.
In the U.S., wildlife management is primarily done by state wildlife agencies that regulate hunting and fishing seasons and bag limits to assure a sustainable wildlife resource. From a forest health viewpoint, however, too many deer may be a major problem. Settling this conflict will call for broad cooperation and compromise between the different agencies and groups involved. To make matters more complex, the fact is that forest management methods affect wildlife just as much as wildlife management affects forests. Poorly constructed forest roads or ill-designed timber sales can lead to major landslides or erosion that damages the spawning beds of valuable fish species.