The ecology and management of moist mixed-conifer forests in eastern Oregon and Washington: a synthesis of the relevant biophysical science and implications for future land management

Peter Stine; Paul F. Hessburg; Thomas Spies; Marc Kramer; Christopher J. Fettig; Andrew Hansen; John F. Lehmkuhl; Kevin O'Hara; Carlos M. Polivka; Peter Singleton; Susan Charnley; Andrew Merschel; Rachel White

doi:10.2737/PNW-GTR-897

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The ecology and management of moist mixed-conifer forests in eastern Oregon and Washington: a synthesis of the relevant biophysical science and implications for future land management

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Peter Stine, Paul F. Hessburg, Thomas Spies, Marc Kramer, Christopher J. Fettig, Andrew Hansen, John F. Lehmkuhl, Kevin O'Hara, Carlos M. Polivka, Peter Singleton, Susan Charnley, Andrew Merschel, Rachel White

Year:

2014

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-GTR-897

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-897. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 254 p.

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Download (PDF 8.46 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/47086.pdf

Abstract

Land managers in the Pacific Northwest have reported a need for updated scientific information on the ecology and management of mixed-conifer forests east of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington. Of particular concern are the moist mixed-conifer forests, which have become drought-stressed and vulnerable to high-severity fire after decades of human disturbances and climate warming. This synthesis responds to this need. We present a compilation of existing research across multiple natural resource issues, including disturbance regimes, the legacy effects of past management actions, wildlife habitat, watershed health, restoration concepts from a landscape perspective, and social and policy concerns. We provide considerations for management, while also emphasizing the importance of local knowledge when applying this information at the local and regional level.

Keywords

Disturbance ecology, landscape restoration, land management, resilience, stewardship

Citation

Stine, Peter; Hessburg, Paul; Spies, Thomas; Kramer, Marc; Fettig, Christopher J.; Hansen, Andrew; Lehmkuhl, John; O'Hara, Kevin; Polivka, Karl; Singleton, Peter; Charnley, Susan; Merschel, Andrew; White, Rachel. 2014. The ecology and management of moist mixed-conifer forests in eastern Oregon and Washington: a synthesis of the relevant biophysical science and implications for future land management. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-897. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 254 p.