Ecological Silviculture for Oak Ecosystems of the Central Hardwoods Region, USA
| Authors: | Miranda T. Curzon, John M. Kabrick |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Type: | Book Chapter |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| Source: | In: Palik, Brian J.; D'Amato, Anthony W., eds. Ecological silvicultural systems: exemplary models for sustainable forest management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the largely oak (Quercus)- dominated forest, woodland, and savanna eco-systems that characterize the Central Hardwoods Region. These ecosystems occur across much of the eastern United States, including five ecoregion provinces (Figure 16.1) [1, 2].
The Central Hardwoods Region contains productive agricultural land and a high proportion of the population of the United States. Approximately 75% of the forest land is privately owned [3], exceeding 90% in many states. Fragmentation continues to decrease the size of privately owned forests and woodlands with average area ranging from less than 8 ha in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York to 12–16 ha in Missouri, Illinois, and Virginia [4].
Ownership patterns strongly influence management. Passive management favored by nonindustrial private forest owners has led oak- hickory (Carya) ecosystems to succeed in more mesic mixed hardwood forests region- wide [5]. High grading is also common and has degraded forest quality. Where active, planned management occurs, even- aged regeneration methods (e.g. clear- cutting, shelterwood) are most commonly applied using rotations of 70–120 years. On poor sites in the southwestern- most Central Hardwoods where oak competitors are of less concern, uneven- aged methods (e.g. selection) can successfully regenerate oak.