Managing young upland forests in southeast Alaska for wood products, wildlife, aquatic resources, and fishes: problem analysis and study plan.

Abstract

Red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) appears to influence the productivity of young-growth conifer forests and affect the major resources (timber, wildlife, and fisheries) of forested ecosystems in southeast Alaska. We propose an integrated approach to understanding how alder influences trophic links and processes in young-growth ecosystems. The presence of red alder is expected to increase understory biomass, and aquatic, riparian, and terrestrial invertebrate abundance, providing more food for herbivores, fish, and birds. We predict that most red alder trees will die standing, and woody debris will be small and mobile in streams. Nitrogen fixation by red alder in mixed stands may result in larger, more commercially valuable conifers. Inclusion of red alder in the regenerating stand may therefore mitigate some negative impacts of clearcutting, and may increase total wood production from the landscape.

Citation

Wipfli, Mark S.; Deal, Robert L.; Hennon, Paul E.; Johnson, Adelaide C.; de Santo, Toni L.; Hanley, Thomas A.; Schultz, Mark E.; Bryant, Mason D.; Edwards, Richard T.; Orlikowska, Ewa H.; Gomi, Takashi. 2002. Managing young upland forests in southeast Alaska for wood products, wildlife, aquatic resources, and fishes: problem analysis and study plan. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-558. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 64 p