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Policies To Encourage Early Successional Ecosystems On Forest Sites In Oregon What Might We Do
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Transcript of Policies To Encourage Early Successional Ecosystems On Forest Sites In Oregon What Might We Do
Policies to Encourage Early Successional Ecosystems on Forest Sites in Oregon:
What Might We Do?
K. Norman JohnsonDebora L. Johnson
Early successional ecosystems on forest sites are relatively rare
In Oregon’s Coast Range:
- currently less than 3% of forest
- projected to be less than 2% of forest in future
- most will be provided by State forests
Source: Spies, et al. and Johnson, et al. 2007. Ecological Applications
Focus of my talk
Policy and management challenges of increasing early sucessional ecosystems on
federal and private forests
Policy Changes on Federal lands
Goal: create more diverse early seral ecosystems
Three stage approach:
1) Leave burned areas alone
2) Demonstrate regeneration harvest strategies that create diverse early seral
3) Emulate large-scale disturbance on the national forests through regeneration harvest of plantations
Baker, et al. 2006 Implementation monitoring: Summary of NWPF regional interagency monitoring results
2. Demonstrate silvicultural strategies that create diverse early seral
• Where and how would we harvest?
• What would be the effect on timber yield?
• Should we plant at all?
Moist National Forest outside Wilderness and roadless areas under NWFP
Moist National Forest outside Wilderness and roadless areas under NWFP where thinning might occur
Moist National Forest outside Wilderness and roadless areas under NWFP where regeneration harvest might occur
Moist BLM forests under NWFP
Moist BLM forest where thinning might occur
Moist BLM forest where regeneration harvest might occur
Northwest Forest Plan Allocation
Age Class Distribution
5-10
11-25
26-40
41-60
61-80
81-120
121-250
Yields Compared to High Intensity Management
• Regeneration harvest: 70-80%– Reduction from legacy trees
• Long-term yield = 30-60%??– Reduction from legacy trees and
nurturing of shrub stage
Regeneration harvest = clearcutting
Public protest(1980s-1990s)
Photos by Steve Reed
Policy Changes on Federal lands
Goal: create more diverse early seral forest
Three stage approach:
1) Leave burned areas alone
2) Demonstrate regeneration harvest strategies that create diverse early seral
3) Emulate large-scale disturbance on the national forests through regeneration harvest of plantations
A typical harvest pattern on federal forests in Oregon
0
5
10
15
20
25
Forest Industry Family Forest State Federal
Hec
tare
s (th
ousa
nds)
Regen Harvest Thinning
Source: Johnson et al. 2007 Ecological Applications
Coast Range Harvest Rates
“One thing is certain: there must be a decided change
in our attitude toward our timber resources… The forest
is a renewable resource. In the interest of the nation
and of the state, Oregon’s forests should be renewed:
and, by all means, there should be as little delay as
possible in making a beginning.”
George W. Peavy, 1929
Source: Oregon’s Commercial Forests, 1929, George W. Peavy
The purpose of the reforestation rules is to ensure that forest tree cover is maintained or re-established after harvest.
Tree Species Suitable for Reforestation
1. The species must be ecologically suited to the planting site;
2. The species must be capable of producing logs, fiber, or other wood products;
Oregon’s Reforestation Rules
ODF, December, 1994
Site Productivity Seedlings <1”dbh
tpa
Cubic Foot Site Class I, II, and IIIDouglas-fir 100 year site index 124 and higher
200/acre
Cubic Foot Site Class IV and VPonderosa pine 100-year site index 64-108
125/acre
Cubic Foot Site Class VIPonderosa pine 100-year site index 40-63
100/acre
Minimum Tree Stocking StandardsOregon Forest Practices Act
In general, a tree will be considered free to grow if:
….
It is taller than, and out-competing, any grass, shrubs, or other trees growing within a 10-foot radius from the tree.
Where are we now?
• Threat of timber famine greatly diminished
• Problems with successful regeneration largely solved
• A forest industry that views wood as a renewable resource
New Regulations?
Possible policy changes---- Private lands
Challenge: create more diverse early seral forest while reducing the regulatory burden/allowing choice
Ideas:
• Remove free-to-grow requirement
• Remove regeneration requirement in its entirety
• Allow substitution of an invasives eradication plan, enhanced wildlife tree plan, or logging debris retention plan
Allow substitution of an invasives eradication plan
Scot’s broom
False-brome in Douglas-fir plantationFalse-brome in Douglas-fir plantation
GradeGradePond ValuePond Value
$/MBF$/MBF
2S2S 540540
3S3S 490490
4S4S 465465
3S (12+)3S (12+) 220220
SCSC 185185
UtilityUtility 4545
(ODF 4th Qtr. 2006)
Allow substitution of an enhanced wildlife tree plan
Potential slogans
• Forced regeneration = tyranny
• Protect the freedom of shrubs and forbs
• No death panels for little plants