Managing for Northern Hardwoods at the Landscape Scale: The Role of Family Forest Owner Preferences
| Authors: | Alexander C. Helman, Matthew C. Kelly, Mark D. Rouleau, Yvette L. Dickinson |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Type: | Proceedings - Paper |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-P-211-paper3 |
| Source: | In: Kern, Christel C.; Dickinson, Yvette L., eds. Proceedings of the first biennial Northern Hardwood Conference 2021: Bridging science and management for the future. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-211. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 7–10. |
Abstract
Managing northern hardwood forests using high frequency, low intensity silvicultural systems—such as single-tree selection—favors shade-tolerant species and can reduce tree species diversity. Management decisions among family forest owners (FFOs) can affect species and structural diversity within northern hardwood forests at regional scales. We surveyed FFOs in the western Upper Peninsula (WUP) of Michigan to understand likely future use of three silvicultural treatments: single-tree selection, shelterwood, and clearcut. Our results indicate FFOs were most likely to implement single-tree selection and least likely to implement clearcut within the next 10 years. According to logistic regression, prior use of a treatment and perceived financial benefits significantly increased the odds of likely use for all three treatments. Having received professional forestry assistance increased likely use of single-tree selection but decreased likely use of shelterwood. We discuss these results within the context of species diversity among northern hardwood forests throughout the region.