ABSTRACT
Habitat elements, those pieces of the environment that in certain sizes, numbers, and distribution influence habitat quality for vertebrates, are not uniformly distributed across stands and forests. Some stands have high vertical diversity and others are rather simple in their vertical structure. Some support a deep litter layer and others virtually none. Browse quantity and quality varies tremendously depending on the plant species, growth rates, shade, and past browsing. So what is it that influences these patterns of habitat elements? In this chapter, we will explore the physical factors influencing patterns of habitat elements, as well as three dominant cultural influences, global warming, land use, and invasive species.
