Introduction
Dirt to Trees to Wildlife (DTW) is an online tool consisting of DTW Mapper and this companion website housing information used by DTW Mapper to create reports about an area of interest.
DTW identifies potential forest types based on characteristics of the underlying soils. Over 1,400 distinct soils are grouped based on common characteristics that determine what vegetation grows on them. These soil groups are related to 18 forest types and three non-forest types. For ease of conversation, we refer to all 21 types as “forest types.” Since each forest type provides specific habitat needs, wildlife species that prefer a given forest type for breeding have been determined. Breeding habitats of 330 wildlife species are included.
Through DTW Mapper, you will receive a report allowing for a comparison of an existing forest type with potential forest types based on soils. Recommended forest management practices are provided for each forest type along with a list of wildlife species that uses each forest type for breeding. Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) as identified in at least one New England state Wildlife Action Plan are identified by forest type and recommended practices for each are available. The authors intend that land managers use this tool to make informed decisions affecting wildlife habitat specific to a subject property.
While this is a powerful tool combining research from three disciplines, you may find inconsistencies between this product and on-the-ground experience. Please email feedback to brendan.prusik@unh.edu. With help from users like you, this product will become even more powerful through time.
Following is links to information about the three components of DTW (i.e., soils, silviculture and habitats).