Silviculture in the new age of conservation

Abstract

In his seminal book "The Practice of Silviculture," Smith (1962) compared the role of silviculture in forestry to agronomy in agriculture. Both are applied sciences dealing with managing ecosystems for human benefit. Silviculture is, as Bob Seymour notes in this volume, "where forestry meets the land." What is the relevance of traditional silviculture in an era of managing for multiple values as opposed to multiple uses? Do we need a "new silviculture" as suggested by terms like New Forestry, New Perspectives, Adaptive Management, and Ecosystem Management? What are the important gaps in knowledge about silviculture in the Lake States? How might silviculture contribute to conserving biological diversity, promoting ecosystem health and sustainability, improving forest aesthetics, and enhancing nontimber forest products?

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the Great Lakes silviculture summit

Citation

Crow, Thomas R. 2004. Silviculture in the new age of conservation. In: Palik, Brian; Levy, Louise, eds. Proceedings of the Great Lakes silviculture summit. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-254. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station: 38-41.