Treesearch
Volume I: executive summary
| Authors: | Richard Everett, Paul F. Hessburg, Mark Jensen, Bernard Bormann |
| Year: | 1994 |
| Type: | General Technical Report |
| Station: | Pacific Northwest Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-GTR-317 |
| Source: | Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-317. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 61 p. |
Download (PDF 3.12 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/47091.pdf
Abstract
This report responds to the request by Speaker Foley and Senator Hatfield for a scientific evaluation of the effects of Forest Service management practices on the sustainability of eastern Oregon and Washington ecosystems. The report recommends analysis methods and management practices that can be used to build an experimental approach to the restoration of stressed ecosystems.A total of 113 scientists from universities, Federal and State agencies, and private companies, contributed to this report. Their research provides the basis for a sustainable ecosystem management framework to evaluate the effects of management practices on ecosystem sustainability, and recommends strategies for restoring or rehabilitating stressed ecosystems.
Current and historical landscape attributes were characterized and compared for a 1.1 million-acre sample of river basins in eastern Oregon and Washington (Figure 1) in this assessment. Change in fish habitat conditions of four river basins was also studied. Terrestrial assessment data were compiled and interpreted with the assistance of more than 115 National Forest System employees. Spatial analyses were performed to determine differences in historical and existing vegetation patterns. Previous management practices were evaluated to determine their effects on current ecosystem conditions.