Technical Bulletin No. 0954: The Biological Basis for Forest Practices Rules for Retaining Coarse Woody Debris in Managed Forests of the Pacific Northwest

Current scientific literature on the relationships of coarse woody debris (CWD) and wildlife habitat is reviewed. The role of forest practice regulations in providing coarse woody debris (defined herein as snags, down logs, and green reserve trees) in managed forests of the Pacific Northwest is assessed. The effectiveness of required levels of retention and their contribution to wildlife habitat diversity is considered in association with other practices that result in forest set-asides on managed forestlands and across the broader forest landscape.