Condition and deterioration rate of precommercial thinning slash at False Island, Alaska.

Michael H. McClellan; Paul Hennon; Patrick G. Heuer; Kenneth W. Coffin

doi:10.2737/PNW-RP-594

Treesearch

Condition and deterioration rate of precommercial thinning slash at False Island, Alaska.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Michael H. McClellan, Paul Hennon, Patrick G. Heuer, Kenneth W. Coffin

Year:

2014

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-594

Download (PDF 2.63 MB)

Download (PDF 2.63 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/45881.pdf

Abstract

We examined slash from thinning treatments in a 21-year chronosequence of young-growth stands in southeast Alaska to determine the strength and persistence of slash effects on two key features of deer habitat quality: forage availability and deer mobility within thinned areas. We describe the main deterioration processes and their dynamics over time. We measured wood density of slash of various ages and present a model to estimate changes in wood density over time. This report also discusses factors that contribute to initial slash loading, slash deterioration, and effects on deer habitat.

Keywords

Thinning, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, southeast Alaska, slash, decomposition, wildlife habitat, Sitka black-tailed deer

Citation

McClellan,Michael H.; Hennon, Paul E.; Heuer, Patrick G.; Coffin,Kenneth W. 2014. Condition and deterioration rate of precommercial thinning slash at False Island, Alaska. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-594. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 29 p.