Messy world: managing dynamic landscape.

Abstract

What lessons does historical disturbance hold for the management of future landscapes? Fred Swanson, a researcher at the Pacific Northwest Research Station and John Cissel, research liaison for the Willamette NF, are members of a team of scientists and land managers who are examining the way we think about and manage landscapes.

The team found that past ecosystem processes are an important reference point for guiding the design of timber sales, fire prescriptions, cutting rotations, and aquatic conservation strategies. Complex disturbance regimes result in highly complex forest structure and composition. Using natural disturbance processes as a reference point is useful, but because the range of management considerations is broader than a few years ago, landscape management will continue to be a challenge.

Citation

Duncan, Sally. 1999. Messy world: managing dynamic landscape. Science Findings. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. September (18). 5 p.