Treesearch

Land ownership is a key link between society and natural resources. The dynamics of landowner patterns are demonstrated by the examination of five land ownership maps in the Big Elk Valley of the central Oregon Coast Range. These patterns are further illustrated with the presentation of a land patents map of the Big Elk Valley. We selected this watershed because of its high diversity of ownership classes and the ability of the resulting dynamics to capture many aspects of ownership dynamics. Maps of land ownership are presented for 1907, 1930, 1956, 1979, and 1998. We also provide brief,...

An evaluation of the retail market potential for random-width paper birch ( Betula papyrifera Marsh.) lumber in Alaska was conducted. Information from lumber manufacturers and retail managers was used to identify current barriers to customer acceptance of locally produced paper birch lumber. Major retail markets and paper birch producing regions throughout Alaska were considered in this study. Results indicated generally favorable retail market potential for Alaska paper birch with strong interest from both lumber producers and retail store managers. Key issues that were identified...

In the public debate over forest management, many issues are portrayed as tradeoffs between biophysical and socioeconomic components of ecosystems. This simplistic portrayal ignores potential opportunities for compatible changes in outputs (either goods or services) among alternative management strategies. In response, a research effort called the Wood Compatibility Initiative (WCI) builds on an extensive body of existing work to examine biophysical and socioeconomic compatibility of managed forests. In this paper, we introduce the conceptual model for the WCI, the scale of analysis, and...

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with mycorrhizal fungi and mycorrhizas can be demonstrated with microaerophilic procedures. The chemical substrates in mycorrhizal fungi or mycorrhizas often stimulate the growth and nitrogenase activity of the associated N2 fixers. In addition, the associated N2 fixers are producers of plant-growth-promoting substances and B-group vitamins. Combined inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi with N2 fixers enhances mycorrhiza formation. Other microbes in the mycorrhizosphere have capacities to breakdown primary minerals, thereby releasing nutrients available for...

During the past decade, Swiss needle cast (SNC) damage has intensified in many Douglas-fir plantations in the Coast Range of Oregon, particularly along the immediate north coast. In plantations with severe symptoms, growth losses and reduced tree vigor are evident, but the magnitude of growth losses associated with varying intensities of damage is not known. A growth impact study was conducted in 1997 to quantify retrospectively the relationship between growth losses and visual symptoms in 10- to 30-yr-old Douglas-fir plantations in coastal northwestern Oregon, a population totaling 75,700...

Port-Orford-cedar (POC) (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is limited in its natural range to southwest Oregon and northwest California. It is highly susceptible to the introduced root pathogen, Phytophthora lateralis, which causes a fatal root disease throughout most of its range. The disease is transmitted by movement of infested soil and water and is most common along stream courses and roadsides. Trees killed by the disease typically turn vivid reddish brown, which provides a good aerial signature.

Fire and timber harvest are the two major disturbances that alter forest ecosystems in interior Alaska. Both types of disturbance provide habitats that attract wood borers and bark beetles the first year after the disturbance, but populations then decrease to levels below those in undisturbed sites. Populations of scolytids, buprestids, and cerambycids are compared 1, 5, and 10 years after burning and timber harvest on flood-plain and upland white spruce sites. This paper reports the effects of ecosystem disturbance, such as silvicultural practices and prescribed fire, on the diversity of...

Recently, a group of public and private organizations responsible for managing much of the timberland in western Oregon and Washington formed the Pacific Northwest forest tree Gene Conservation Group (GCG) to ensure that the evolutionary potential of important regional tree species is maintained. The group is first compiling data to evaluate the genetic resource status of several species of conifers both at their original location (in situ) and at some other location (ex situ).We summarize the ex situ genetic resources present in seed orchards, provenance and progeny tests, seed stores,...

Using the Applegate Partnership as a case study, this paper proposes a number of ways to measure the success of collaborative groups. These measures allow for providing evaluation and feedback, engaging needed participants, and responding to groups critical of the collaborative process. Arguing for the concept of progress in place of success, this paper points out that success is relative and should not be measured in absolute terms; tracking progress gives the sense of movement toward a goal or desired situation.

This report looks at solid wood product recovery based on the results of 23 studies conducted from April 1997 to July 1999 of 22 sawmills in Alaska (during these years, these mills represented over 90 percent of the State’s annual lumber production). Results for all mills studied within the State were reviewed for differences (1) in recovery by regions of the State, (2) in recovery by size of operation, or (3) by type of break-down machinery. Two outstanding areas of opportunity to improve product recovery for nearly every sawmill within the State were reducing target thickness to eliminate...