Biodiversity and intentional management: a renaissance pathway.

Abstract

A project in western Washington tries to mimic natural disturbance to create forest structure similar to late-seral stages. A model was developed to identify pathways to achieve this structure with four indices: capacity to support vertebrate diversity, forest floor function, ecological productivity based on tree-using rodents, and production of deer and elk.

The study found that maximizing biodiversity through intentional forest management reached the goal of old-forest habitat more quickly than other timber-fiber strategies, and it produced significant economic benefit.

"If we can conserve biodiversity, we preserve options and maximize benefits for current and future generations," says Andrew Carey, team leader for the project. (See pages 2 and 3 for key findings and policy implications of this research.)

Citation

Duncan, Sally. 1998. Biodiversity and intentional management: a renaissance pathway. Science Findings. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. November (9): 1-5