Guilds as a Template for Other Watersheds As described above, guilds can be effectively used to predict the presence of fish and identify sensitive habitat areas. Therefore, one guild type may be appropriate for one type of timber harvest, while another guild type is not. By using the guild classifications we identified, landowners can better manage an entire watershed based on the needs of the individual guild types found within it. Although our study was limited to the Swan River Basin, this classification is appropriate for watersheds that have similar climate, geology, geomorphic processes, and vegetation. Conclusion and Implications Effective management depends on knowing site-specific conditions.
Watershed analysis is a good tool for defining site-specific conditions.
The guilds identified in this Technical Report can be used to select appropriate management for specific areas of a stream. Landowners are not required to follow buffer widths that are too large and prevent economic use of the land. Landowners can use the classification and analysis in this Technical Report to predict the distribution of rare or threatened species based on the habitat conditions. The classification can also be used by other industries, such as mining, grazing, or agriculture.