Treesearch

We read with interest the recent Journal of Forestry article on "Conceptual Ambiguities and Practical Challenges of Ecological Forestry: A Critical Review" (Batavia and Nelson 2016). In it, Batavia and Nelson do a good job of bringing attention to the concept of ecological forestry, and we agree that a clear understanding of what it is and what it can be is a useful undertaking; one that would likely open the door to even greater adoption by stakeholders. Moreover, a discussion of the need for an "appropriate ethic" for ecological forestry may be beneficial, and Batavia and Nelson’s...

By tracking oak-hickory (Quercus-Carya) regeneration for 13 yr across management-manipulated light and topographically driven moisture gradients after partial harvest and three prescribed fires, we document best-case conditions to promote advanced oak regeneration, and thereby provide a promising management tool to reverse the downward spiral in oak that plagues much of the Central Hardwoods within the eastern United States. This study was established in 2000 to assess regeneration following prescribed fire (spring of 2001, 2005, and 2010) in combination with partial harvest (late 2000)...

The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is a managed species in the United States. In northern Wisconsin, as part of the state-wide beaver management program, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest removes beavers from targeted trout streams on U.S. Forest Service lands. However, the success of this management program has not been evaluated. Targeted removals comprise only 3% of the annual beaver harvest, a level of effort that may not affect the beaver population. We used colony location data along Forest streams from 1987±2013 (Nicolet, northeast Wisconsin) and 1997±2013 (Chequameg...

Concerns over loss of ecosystem function and biodiversity in managed forests have led to the development of silvicultural approaches that meet ecological goals as well as sustain timber production. Variable Retention Harvest (VRH) practices, which maintain mature overstory trees across harvested areas, have been suggested as an approach to balance these objectives; however, long-term evaluations of outcomes of VRH strategies do not exist for most forest types. The objective of this study was to determine the 11-year effects of overstory tree retention pattern and shrub removal on regenerati...

When an invasive organism targets a dominant tree species, it can trigger unprecedented shifts in forest plant communities. Emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), an invasive insect that kills by girdling trees, represents a significant threat to North American Fraxinus (ash) species. EAB has already decimated many Fraxinus populations and threatens loss of overstory cover in Great Lakes region wetland forests dominated by Fraxinus nigra (black ash). Canopy treatments, such as clearcutting and group selection, are being evaluated to promote regeneration of non-EAB-host...

Fraxinus nigra Marsh. (black ash), a dominant tree species of wetland forests in northern Minnesota, USA, is imperiled by the invasive insect emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888). Regeneration of associated tree species is generally low in F. nigra forests and could be impacted further by climate change. Proactive management may be critical to maintaining tree cover and ecosystem function following EAB invasion. We investigated the mean height and diameter relative growth rate (RGR) of seedlings of 10 potential replacement tree species, including two from the next...

The likely spread of the current spruce budworm (SBW; Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) outbreak fromhigh to low density areas brings to the forefront a pressing need to understand its dispersal dynamics and to document mass exodus flights in relation to weather patterns. In this study, we used the weather surveillance radar of Val d'Irène in eastern Canada in combination with weather information from the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model output to track and document a SBW mass exodus flight that occurredon July 15-16th 2013. Analyses confirmed the potential of using weather radar and RUC...

The GHG emissions and fossil energy consumption associated with producing potential biomass sup­ply in the select BT16 scenarios include emissions and energy consumption from biomass production, harvest/collection, transport, and pre-processing activities to the reactor throat. Emissions associated with energy, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals that are consumed in biomass production are also included. Energy consumption and emissions for bio­mass logistics are considered only for biomass with delivered costs below $100 per dry ton. The contribu­tion of changes in SOC to GHG emissions...

Though longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests have been primarily managed with even-aged methods, interest is increasing in uneven-aged systems, as a means of achieving a wider range of stewardship goals. Selection silviculture has been practiced on a limited scale in longleaf pine, but difficulty with using traditional approaches and absence of an evaluation across a range of site types has left managers in doubt concerning its suitability. This study was conducted to quantify the effects on stand dynamics of applying single-tree selection, group selection, irregular shelterwood...

Parks and protected area managers use zoning to decrease interpersonal conflict between recreationists. Zoning, or segregation, of recreation - often by nonmotorized and motorized activity - is designed to limit physical interaction while providing recreation opportunities to both groups. This article investigated the effectiveness of zoning to reduce recreation conflict in the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area in Colorado, USA. Despite a zoning management system, established groomed travel routes were used by both non-motorized recreationists (backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers)...