Preharvest Stand Regeneration Composition and Associated Driving Factors
| Authors: | Catherine R. Henry, Michael B. Walters, Evan J. Farinosi |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Type: | Proceedings - Paper |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-P-211-paper6 |
| 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: 26–27. |
Abstract
Concerning trends in natural tree regeneration emerged over the last few decades following a long history of single-tree selection silviculture in northern hardwood forests. Regeneration in these systems varies geographically and is often inadequate. For example, sapling classes may be understocked, absent, or dominated by a few relatively undesirable species (e.g., American beech [Fagus grandifolia], ironwood [Ostrya virginiana]). Multiple interacting factors may explain these troubling regeneration patterns, including silvicultural practices that provide insufficient light/disturbance, competition from shrubs and undesirable advance regeneration, site quality, seed availability, and browsing from high white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Understanding where regeneration is failing under single-tree selection and associated predictors is key for guiding future management, including implementation of alternative harvesting regimes. We aim to characterize overall species diversity of tree regeneration and patterns of species distributions in northern hardwood forests managed by single-tree selection. We hypothesize that deer use and high basal area correlate with low densities of desirable species and that overall species diversity is low.