Treesearch

Prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) were first censused on the Sheyenne Grasslands in 1961. The population was extremely low in the 1960's, gradually increased in the 1970's, and reached a peak of 410 in 1980. Sufficient evidence exists to link the increase in numbers of prairie chickens on the grasslands from 1961 through 1987 to changes in land management, primarily the introduction of ratational grazing pratices and prescribed burning of meadows.

Historically the management of public lands from a multiple use perspective has led to a system that emphasizes those habitat components or faunal elements that primarily resulted in some sort of definable economic value. While this often benefitted other species that were not even considered in the original prescriptions, it also negatively impacted others. We no longer can afford to take this simplistic view of ecosystem management. We need to use a more holistic approach where ecological landscapes are considered as units, and land management practices incorporate all elements into an...

Presents land area, timberland area, timber volume, and components of changes for forest lands in South Dakota

Forage quality was assessed in pole and sapling ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands growing at five stocking levels - 0, 5. 14, 23, and unthinned (which approximated 40 m2/ha basal area)-in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Crude protein, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, ash, calcium, and phosphorus were evaluated for cream peavine (Lathyrus ochroleucus), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), and timber oatgrass (Danthonia intermedia). Acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, and ash showed some significant differences among growing stock levels for cream peavine growing...

Yields arrayed by site index and age have been tabulated for plantations of 500 trees per acre, with five thinning regimes, for Douglas-fir, grand fir, and western larch. Yields were also tabulated for naturally regenerated stands of the grand fir-cedar-hemlock ecosystem of the Inland Empire. All yields were estimated with the Prognosis Model for Stand Development, version 5.2, including the Regeneration Establishment Model.

The Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus) is widely distributed in the montane forests of western North America (Bent 1938). The owl is insectivorous (Ross 1969) and is presumed to be migratory in the northern part of its range (Balda et al. 1975). Little is known of the nesting behavior of this species, especially during the postfledging period. Here, we present the postfledging behavior of adults and young and describe the occurrence of brood division in Flammulated Owls.

Forest vegetation classified by habitat types and community types in Arizona and New Mexico are tabulated. Eleven series and 123 habitat and community types are identified; however, these habitat types and community types have been grouped into a lesser number of categories having similar characteristics or synonymous names. The table includes the name, location, relative site, successional status, tree and principal undergrowth associates, and the authority.

This summer marked the 50th anniversary of the Fraser Experimental Forest. These proceedings are the tangible product of the technical conference called to summarize, discuss, and transfer the knowledge learned over these 50 years. Eighteen formal papers describe the status of our knowledge about the interactions among timber, water, and wildlife. These papers were designed to present a balance of perspectives between research knowledge gained, and how that knowledge is actually being applied by forest managesrs and other resource specialists.

Organic debris, including wood residue, is important to the development and function of. forest soil. Organic matter stores nutrients and moisture plus it provides important habitats for microbes beneficial to tree growth. To protect long-term forest soil productivity, organic horizons and their parent materials should be maintained.

Potentially lethal ground surface temperatures were measured at three locations in the Northern Rocky Mountains but occurred more frequently under treatments with greater overstory removal. Observed maximum and minimum temperatures of exposed surfaces are directly related to the thermal properties of the surface materials. Survival of planted seedlings was consistent with the pattern of potentially lethal temperatures. Care in manipulating overstory canopies and residues can enhance the potential for tree seedling survival.