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2019 Science Flash Bundle
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Enjoy this curated set of Science Flash presentations from the 2019 SAF National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Presentations
Education, Extension, & Communication
Does Association Membership Differentiate Forest Landowners in the Southern United States? - Puskar Khanal, Clemson University
Engaging Citizen Scientists in Forest Health Research: Minnesota's Assessing Vegetation Impacts from Deer Program - Matthew Russell, University of Minnesota
Public Attitudes towards Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration Using Prescribed Fire - Jason Gordon, University of Georgia
Public Attitudes towards Private Forest Management in the Southeastern United States - Damian Adams, University of Florida
Training Green Industry Professionals as Service Providers for Small Acreage Woodland Properties - Jonathan Kays, University of Maryland Extension
Fire & Fuels Management
Effects of Prescribed Burning and Thinning on Oak Regeneration in Northeast Kansas - Charles Barden, Kansas State University
How Prescribed Fire Heat Selects against Understory Hardwoods in Longleaf Pine Woodland - Seth Bigelow, The Jones Center at Ichauway
Short-Term Effects of Prescribed Fire on Sub-Surface Water Quality in a Managed Loblolly Pine Forest - Kipling Klimas, Clemson University
Harvesting & Utilization
Assessing Soil Compaction Following a Winter Timber Harvest in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan - Rafia Rahman, Michigan Technological University
Economic Contribution of Forest Products Industry in 20 Northeastern States - Jagdish Poudel, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Typology of Forest Landowners: Implications for Their Understanding and Interest in Woody Biomass for Bioenergy - Binod Chapagain, Oklahoma State University
Human Dimensions & History of Forestry
An Exploration of Vegetation Ordinances across the Southern US - Kripa Neupane, Mississippi State University
Comparing State Forest Industry Economic Contributions - Matthew Pelkki, University of Arkansas at Monticello
Influence of Place Attachment and Motivation on Bass Fishing Demand in Oklahoma Streams - Binod Chapagain, Oklahoma State University
Inventory & Biometrics
Accuracy Assessment of Forested Wetland Maps from Aerial Photography - Stephen Prisley, NCASI
Optimizing Loblolly Pine Plantations under Reduced Throughfall with Single Tree Models and Data Envelopment Analysis - Noah Shephard, Oklahoma State University
Northern & Eastern Silviculture and Forest Ecology
Commercial Thinning in Lodgepole Pine Stands: 15 Year Results from Alberta, Canada - Brad Pinno, University of Alberta
Delimitation and Comparative Pathogenicity of Diplodia spp. on Quercus spp. throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region - Savannah Haines, West Virginia University
Productivity-Diversity Relationships in Mixed-Hardwood Plantations - Madeline Montague, Purdue University
Pests, Pathogens & Invasive Plants
Impacts of Asian Longhorned Beetle and Associated Eradication Efforts on the Current Composition of Forests - Olivia Box, University of Vermont
Nonnative Plant Invasion Severity and Risk in the Southern Timberlands - Sunil Nepal, Auburn University
Surface Mining and Harvest Disturbances Interact with Landform to Shape Spatial Distribution of Invasive Exotic Plant Species in a Central Appalachian Forest Landscape - Jian Yang, University of Kentucky
Private & Family Forestry
Financial Effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners - Srijana Baral, University of Georgia
The Smallholder Access Program: A Certification Model for Small Woodland Owners in Appalachia - Andrew Goldberg, Rainforest Alliance
Remote Sensing & Geospatial Applications
Assessing Influence of US Data Acquisition Parameters for Forest Photogrammetry and Assessing Influences of UAS Flight Parameters for Forest Structure Characterization - Matthew Creasy and Neal Swayze, Colorado State University
Documentation of the Impact of a Tornado on Caddo Mounds Historical Site Using an Unmanned Drone - David Kulhavy, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture
Southern Silviculture and Forest Ecology
Autumn Flooding of Nuttall Oak Seedlings Reduces Nitrogen Reserves and Subsequent Spring Growth - Richard Sample, Purdue University
Evaluating a New Taper Equation for Planted Longleaf Pine: Applying Penalized Spline Regression - Thomas B. Harris; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Productivity and Growth Comparison of Loblolly Pine Grown under Forest Water Reuse Irrigation Management - Kyle Goeke Dee, North Carolina State University
Urban & Community Forestry
The Value of Canopy Cover: A Hedonic Pricing Study in West Tennessee - Lee Bridges, Mississippi State University
Urban Forest Research for Collaborative Urban Forest Management - Lee Bridges, Mississippi State University
Western & Northwestern Silviculture and Forest Ecology
Restoring Ponderosa Pine Age/Size Structure across Productivity Classes using Multi-Aged Group Selection Approaches - John Bailey, Oregon State University
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Does Association Membership Differentiate Forest Landowners in the Southern United States?
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Open to view video.
Family forest owners represent the largest forest ownership group in the United States, but only about a quarter of their land has a forest management plan and only one in five receives professional forest management advice. Forest owners’ associations (FOA) are established at the state and county level, with over half the states and more than 100 localities having active organizations. All southern states have a forestry association and many counties have their own “local” associations. The objective of this study was to identify differences between FOA members and non-members in terms of characteristics and forest management behavior, which would be useful in planning outreach strategies and extension programs. Results indicated that FOA members and nonmembers statistically differ in terms of land holdings, reasons for owing forest land, availability of a management plan, and use of forest management activities. Members tended to be male with higher incomes. Landowners preferred mediums for receiving forestry information varied with their membership status, with members strongly preferring information sharing which involved landowner/forester networking opportunities. Findings clearly suggest need of distinct educational contents and communication formats to influence forestry behaviors of members and non-members in the Southern United States. Presented by Puskar Khanal, Clemson University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Engaging Citizen Scientists in Forest Health Research: Minnesota's Assessing Vegetation Impacts from Deer Program
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Open to view video.
The University of Minnesota Extension began the Assessing Vegetation Impacts from Deer (AVID) project in 2018 to help monitor the impacts that white-tailed deer have on the state’s forest vegetation. The program engages citizen scientists, including private woodland owners, Master Naturalists, and natural resource professionals to monitor deer browse on forestland. AVID is a three-year project where volunteers establish forest regeneration plots and measure 20 to 50 seedlings of the same tree species. Volunteers tag seedlings so that they can be re-measured the following year. In its first two years, 40 volunteers have contributed over 1,000 measurements of seedlings on species that are known to be palatable to deer in Minnesota. These species include eastern white pine, oaks, and maples. The value of the AVID program is in its training of volunteers on an important forest health issue. This project is building an important data set that will be used to quantify deer browse impacts on forest regeneration. Importantly, engaging with citizen scientists allows the forestry community to obtain information from a variety of forest conditions that would not otherwise be collected by researchers alone. Presented by Matthew Russell, University of Minnesota, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Public Attitudes towards Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration Using Prescribed Fire
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Open to view video.
Once covering much of the southern coastal plain, longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) covers a fraction of its original native range. Restoration efforts have largely occurred on public lands, with remaining private forests tending to have little regeneration compared with other species due to limited seed sources and fire suppression. A better understanding of public interest in ecological restoration is critical to sustained efforts and successes. This research examines landowner and public interest in longleaf pine restoration. Results contribute to the literature on the social dimensions of ecological restoration, much of which has focused on small-scale projects such as river restoration rather than landscape-scale initiatives. In addition, this study addresses the lack of knowledge regarding factors driving attitudes towards ecological restoration other than demographic and psychometric variables. We employed a telephone survey of 2,700 participants across eight southern states. A significant majority of respondents supported restoration as a general goal and were supportive of the use of prescribed fire as a restoration activity. Place attachment, proximity to public longleaf pine forests, education, income, and urban residence were significant predictors of restoration support. Implications of the findings for research and policy are discussed. Presented by Jason Gordon, University of Georgia, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Public Attitudes towards Private Forest Management in the Southeastern United States
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Open to view video.
In the southern US, the country’s top wood-producing region, population spillover from urban areas has resulted in forestland conversion and reduced production of critical ecosystem services associated with forest systems (e.g., timber, clean water supply, wildlife habitat). Public attitudes, which drive forestland policy prescriptions, may also be evolving due to the way people experience and perceive forests (e.g., recreation), and think about the role of government in private forest decisions. These changes have significant implications for forestland management and the forest-based economy, both locally and globally. We present the results of a regional survey (n=1,669) of residents in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina, which assessed attitudes toward timber harvesting and government involvement on private lands. We found significant public support for timber harvesting with a stronger focus on ecosystem maintenance compared to timber production, and strong support for policies that empower landowners (e.g., assistance programs) over regulatory strategies. Perceptions of forest health is the metric most people will likley use in assessing the value of forest policy alternatives, in addition to economic impact. Public attitudes appear conducive to innovative policy strategies such as market-based solutions and nudges. Public ignorance and indifference towards forest management also appears to be growing. Presented by Damian Adams, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Training Green Industry Professionals as Service Providers for Small Acreage Woodland Properties
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Open to view video.
Over 60% of private woodland owners in the United States own 1-9 acres of woodland, about 10% of the nation’s privately held forests. Traditional forest assistance and outreach programs rarely serve clientele with less than 10 acres. The Woods in Your Backyard program (WIYB) is a self-assessment educational program developed in 2006 by Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania extension organizations to help landowners learn about their property and actions they can take to improve forest health and other objectives, but the challenge has been developing service providers. Central to the effort is the book, The Woods in your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home, purchased by more than 13,000 landowners. Workshops, online courses, and other education efforts continue to reach thousands with a message focused on transitioning lawn to natural areas and enhancing existing woodland. Follow-up surveys with workshop participants found 42% contacted a land management service provider and 54% were arborists or landscapers. These businesses are already working on small acreage properties but lack the skills and certification needed for woodland practices. Landowners are willing to pay for services for herbicide application to control invasive species control, tree planting, and other practices. UME is engaged in a program to develop a land care practice guide for green industry professionals, training on practices and pesticide certification. An online service directory will help landowners locate service providers. The program will fill a critical need to for service providers to implement forest health practices identified by WIYB participants. Presented by Jonathan Kays, University of Maryland Extension, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Effects of Prescribed Burning and Thinning on Oak Regeneration in Northeast Kansas
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Open to view video.
This study was conducted on a 90-acre tract of oak-dominated woodland near Manhattan, Kansas. The study objective was to assess the effectiveness of burning and thinning to encourage oak regeneration. The thinning and burning operations were conducted during Winter and Spring, respectively, of 2015 and 2018. Vegetation inventories were done in permanent plots before burning in 2014, in the Fall 2016, and in the Fall 2018 to assess the effects of the treatments on vegetation composition and fuel loading. Thinning treatments were effective to reduce the total number of trees per acre after the second thinning operation. Burn and thin combined treatments significantly decreased the primary competitor species’ basal area. While the number of oaks saplings per acre was not different from the main competitors in thinned plots, main competitors outnumbered oak saplings in no-thin plots. The burning in 2018 also significantly reduced the total number of seedlings per acre. However, burn and thin treatments did not affect the seedling species composition, and eastern redbud outnumbered oaks in 2018 averaged across all treatments. Fuel loading was measured pre- and post-burning, in 2015 and 2018, using both nondestructive (sampling plane method) and destructive methods (quadrat method), to evaluate fuel consumption and recovery. Overall, both methods showed the same trends for the fuels; however, the quadrat method was more conservative. There was a significant recovery of litter fuel load from 2015 to 2018 and a significant decrease from pre- to post-burning in 2018 of the litter and duff layer. Presented by Charles Barden, Kansas State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
How Prescribed Fire Heat Selects against Understory Hardwoods in Longleaf Pine Woodland
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Open to view video.
Silvicultural systems involving openings > 0.1 acre are sometimes proposed for longleaf pine woodlands, but consequent rapid re-sprouting of hardwoods may result in low regeneration and suppression of groundcover. We used measurement of radiant energy to ask whether applying prescribed fire under low-humidity conditions, which could be damaging to crop trees, increased effectiveness of hardwood control. We measured radiant energy (total energy release and peak power) and hardwood control during four early growing-season (April and May) fires. Total energy was strongly related to basal area of pine trees surrounding the point of measurement, and peak power was increased by the presence of wiregrass. Surprisingly, the relative humidity of air and the moisture content of fine fuels were not negatively correlated with peak power. Maximum bark char height on pines was 10 m, and some underwent complete crown scorch and replacement of needles. Peak power was the best predictor of bark char height. Total energy was the best predictor of hardwood control, and peak power added no further predictive information. We concluded that we found little evidence that fires that burned more intensely (i.e., had higher peak power) provided more effective control of hardwoods, and such fires had greater potential for damaging crop trees. Maintaining high total energy release during prescribed fires by limiting silvicultural opening size, thus assuring high needle fall, appears to be the most effective strategy for fire-based hardwood control in longleaf pine woodlands. Presented by Seth Bigelow, The Jones Center at Ichauway, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Short-Term Effects of Prescribed Fire on Sub-Surface Water Quality in a Managed Loblolly Pine Forest
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Prescribed fire is applied to upland loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) timber stands in the Jocassee Gorges Management Area, located in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina, to manage stand composition and control understory competition. The objective of these burns is to reduce herbaceous and hardwood regeneration in the understory during the late dormant season. Though prescribed fire is an effective landscape-level forest management tool, its immediate effects on sub-surface water quality remain uncertain in the southern Appalachians. To evaluate the immediate effects of a prescribed fire on sub-surface water quality we measured soil solution nutrient concentrations weekly over a 5-month period. Utilizing a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) study design, weekly sampling was conducted for one month prior to application of prescribed fire at three sites with one site designated as a control. Soil solution concentrations of NO3- (nitrate) and PO4- (phosphate) did not increase after burning and there was no difference between control and burnt site concentrations. NH4+ (ammonium) concentrations exhibited a spike immediately after burning which may represent an assart effect. NH4+ concentrations returned to pre-fire levels within three weeks post-fire. This indicates that prescribed fire did not have an appreciable effect on soil solution water quality but also that prescribed fire can temporarily increase soil nutrient availability. These results suggest that low-to-moderate-severity prescribed fire can be an effective tool for managing loblolly pine forests without causing detriment to water quality but highlights future research potential regarding fire effects on soil chemistry. Presented by Kipling Klimas, Clemson University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Assessing Soil Compaction Following a Winter Timber Harvest in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan
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Open to view video.
Harvesting during winter is encouraged as a best management practice to protect soil. The western upper peninsula of Michigan typically experiences early and persistent snowfall, which insulates the forest floor and prevents soils from freezing. This study was conducted to assess post-harvest soil compaction following a winter harvest of northern hardwoods on cobbly silt-loam soils. The objective of the study is to assess the effects of slash volume, average snow depth, overstory treatment, and machine traffic intensity on soil bulk density. The harvest was conducted at the Ford Forest in Alberta, Michigan using cut-to-length harvest systems (i.e. harvester and forwarder) during which the soil remained unfrozen. Four levels of machine traffic (high, medium, low, none) and two levels of overstory treatment (clear-cut and partial cut) were considered within a factorial experimental design. Samples were extracted using coring cylinders and separated into three depths (0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm) prior to drying, sifting and weighing. Results indicate that bulk density did not differ between the no traffic treatment and low traffic treatment at the 0-5 cm depth. However, soil bulk density for the no-traffic treatment was, significantly lower than soil bulk density for the medium and high traffic treatments. There were no differences in bulk density were observed among all four machine traffic levels at the (5-10 cm and 10-20 cm depths). No significant effects of slash volume or average snow depth were detected. Presented by Rafia Rahman, Michigan Technological University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Economic Contribution of Forest Products Industry in 20 Northeastern States
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Open to view video.
Forest economists in the southern US have taken significant steps in understanding and promoting standard procedures and methods to capture the economic contributions of the forest products industries. An ongoing project in the North Central and Northeastern US is implementing standard procedures. Through a series of webinars and surveys of 20 Northern state representatives, we discussed what different sectors of the forest products industries should be captured, how to handle partial economic sectors (i.e., sectors with forest/wood and non-forest/wood components), analysis scale, and what metrics to report. By developing standard procedures and consistent methodology, the findings from this study can be compared overtime and across the regions. Presented by Jagdish Poudel, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Typology of Forest Landowners: Implications for Their Understanding and Interest in Woody Biomass for Bioenergy
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Open to view video.
Woody biomass has been identified as a source of renewable energy. Private forestlands supply the majority of the wood-based pellets in the southeastern US and the pellets are shipped to countries in the EU. With increasing demand for renewable energy from Europe, market opportunities for woody biomass and pellets are emerging in the region. Given the growing role in supply wood for pellets and lack of previous studies specific to the region, it is important to understand owners’ forest management motivations, their understanding of woody biomass for energy and, interest in harvesting woody biomass for energy. This study segments landowners based on their motivation to manage forestland using the survey of private forest landowners of the two primary ports, located in five southeastern states, for wood pellets exported to the EU. A principal component-cluster analysis was utilized and three groups were identified namely, muti-objective, amenity, and timber-oriented landowners based on their forest management motivation. The landowner groups varied in terms of current and future management practices, their understanding of biomass for energy, and interest in harvesting biomass for energy. Findings will be useful in highlighting the heterogeneity in landowner populations regarding management motivation, their knowledge in woody biomass for energy production and suggesting appropriate strategies to meet audience-specific outreach and extension needs. Presented by Binod Chapagain, Oklahoma State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
An Exploration of Vegetation Ordinances across the Southern US
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Open to view video.
Vegetation ordinances are local laws and regulations governing urban tree management and are directly related to the structure, function, and values of community trees. The success of ordinances depends on several factors, including sociodemographic and cultural characteristics of the community, enforcement, and leadership that supports urban forest management. Over the last several decades, an increasing percentage of cities have instituted ordinances as their populations grow along with associated land use pressures. Often, ordinances are referred between cities using the well-known publications by Bernhardt and Swiecki (1991) and Abbey (1998) as templates. In the rush to develop ordinances, these communities may be ignoring social and ecological contextual factors specific to their situations thereby creating ordinances that do not have the desired impacts. This research employs qualitative content analysis to examine the variation in structure and complexity of these ordinances. The primary objective of this study was to compare and contrast vegetation ordinances across the eight states of the Southern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Data was collected from the online portal Municode (www.municode.com) which publishes local codification of municipal legislation for every state. Content analysis using NVivo computer software was used to identify and describe trends and structure in the language of vegetation ordinances. The results showed considerable variations as well as similarities in contents of ordinances. Our findings will contribute to educational interventions with arborists, planners, and elected officials to improve ordinances and increase their positive impact on the urban forest. Presented by Kripa Neupane, Mississippi State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Comparing State Forest Industry Economic Contributions
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Open to view video.
The economic contributions from forest industry for all 50 states and the District of Columbia were determined using 2016 data from IMPLAN. Standard industry sectors identified as used by a majority of economic analysts were used to determine contribution. Values for employment, employee compensation, and value-added from direct and total contributions in each state were used for comparison and ranking purposes. Actual values and values as a percent of each state's total economy were compared as viable measures of the "importance" of the forest-based manufacturing economy in each state. Using direct total contributions as a criteria, California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina have the largest forest economies. Using the percentage of total contributions from forestry for each state, the states of Maine, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama are the most "forestry dependent" economies in the United States. Presented by Matthew Pelkki, University of Arkansas at Monticello, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Influence of Place Attachment and Motivation on Bass Fishing Demand in Oklahoma Streams
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Open to view video.
Black bass (Micropterus) stream fishing is a popular activity in eastern Oklahoma with more than 12% of all Oklahoma anglers pursue their sport. Despite its popularity, little is known about economic benefits associated with black bass fishing in Oklahoma. Information on benefits of accessing eastern Oklahoma streams for black bass fishing may be useful for characterizing the public value of black bass management. Similarly, recreation literature have found an important role of psychological constructs in recreation settings but fishing studies have very rarely used psychological constructs in the demand model. Using survey data collected from stream anglers, this study employed a travel cost model to estimate economic value of bass fishing in Oklahoma streams. In addition, the model combined socio-demographic attributes with psychological constructs such as place attachment and angler’s motivation. This presentation will highlight the economic value of public access to Oklahoma streams for bass fishing and will shed lights on the social psychological factors that influence the bass fishing demand. The findings will inform researchers, recreation planners and managers, as well as policy makers on the public value of bass fishing in the Oklahoma streams. Presented by Binod Chapagain, Oklahoma State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Optimizing Loblolly Pine Plantations under Reduced Throughfall with Single Tree Models and Data Envelopment Analysis
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Success of management practices associated with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations, such as fertilization and thinning, will be affected by predicted changes in growing season conditions. Plantations along the drier, western edge of the commercial range may realize the consequences of increased drought conditions earliest. In southeastern Oklahoma, a factorial combination of fertilization and ~30% throughfall reduction treatment was applied to a 4 year-old loblolly pine stand, followed by a refertilization and a split-plot thinning treatment at age 9. Annual growth has been measured for seven growing seasons. For further insight on potential management implications, we predicted future timber production and carbon storage using single tree models in Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS). Plot-level growth data from 2011-2018 were analyzed to determine appropriate multipliers to mimic the additive effects of fertilization and drought in FVS through a 26-year rotation. FVS growth and yield modeling demonstrated fertilization’s diminishing ability to compensate for conditions of reduced soil moisture through a 26-year rotation such that the fertilizer plus throughfall exclusion treatment averaged an 8% reduction in basal area after a year-13 mid-rotation thinning. Model output was then examined using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to optimize management, comparing stand-level inputs (i.e., diameter) to outputs (i.e., timber production). The preliminary DEA analysis suggests that incurred costs of fertilizer and benefits of increased sawtimber productivity were similar in proportion, regardless of soil moisture, suggesting fertilizer benefits will continue in a hotter, drier climate. Presented by Noah Shephard, Oklahoma State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Commercial Thinning in Lodgepole Pine Stands: 15 Year Results from Alberta, Canada
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Commercial thinning of lodgepole pine stands is not currently practiced in the boreal forests of Alberta but is being considered to help meet wood supply gaps in the near and mid-term. Prior to widespread operational implementation, there are questions regarding both the individual tree and stand level growth responses. Here we present the 15 year results of a commercial thinning trial with thinned stands from two pre-harvest age ranges, 40-60 years old (referred to as mature) and 70-125 years old (referred to as salvage). At the individual tree level, as expected commercial thinning increased the diameter growth of remaining trees with greater gains in the mature relative to salvage stands. This increase in tree growth corresponded to increases in crown volume. Tree mortality was high in all stands but was reduced by thinning in the mature relative to unthinned stands. At the stand level, post-thinning basal area growth in mature stands was greater than in unthinned stands such that basal area was not significantly different after 15 years. However, in the older salvage thinning stands, basal area continually decreased over time in both thinned and unthinned stands due to high mortality. The next step for this project will be to model volume growth for these different prescriptions. Presented by Brad Pinno, University of Alberta, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Delimitation and Comparative Pathogenicity of Diplodia spp. on Quercus spp. throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
In the Mid-Atlantic region, where mixed hardwoods are the predominant forest cover type, oak species (Quercus spp.) have been in a state of undetermined decline for the past several decades (Oak et al. 2016). Affected trees show one or a combination of outward symptoms including acute wilt, blighted leaves, external cankers, sooty lesions, severe dieback, and death. Several pathogens have been found to contribute to this decline to varying degrees including Bretziella fagacearum, causal agent of oak wilt (Amos and True 1967, Jacobi and MacDonald 1980, Shigo, A.L., 1958), Phytophthora cinnamomi, causal agent of Phytophthora root rot (McConnell and Balci 2014), and various insect defoliators. More recently, Diplodia corticola and Diplodia quercivora, both emerging canker pathogens, have been implicated in causing dieback and mortality of red and white oak species in eastern United States of America (Aćimović et al. 2016, Dreaden et al. 2011, Haines et al. 2018, Munck et al. 2017, Martin et al. 2017). Although its contribution in this ongoing regional oak decline is unclear, the ability of D. corticola and D. quercivora to cause disease has already been established. This proposed research will observe the extent and distribution of D. corticola and D. quercivora. in the Mid-Atlantic region and determine if other biotic and abiotic factors are contributing to its emergence. Understanding the geographical extent and level of damage caused by these fungal pathogens will help us better understand oak decline and aid in the development of best management practices for mixed hardwood forests. Presented by Savannah Haines, West Virginia University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Productivity-Diversity Relationships in Mixed-Hardwood Plantations
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Ecologists have shown that productivity and species diversity are positively correlated, but the mechanistic causes of the productivity-diversity correlation remain unresolved in forest trees. Therefore, although we know that mixed-species plantations can be more productive than monocultures, it is currently not possible to predict the number and types of species that should be planted to maximize timber production and other desired attributes. We investigate the productivity-diversity relationship using a 12-year-old experiment of fine hardwoods planted in varying species mixtures and densities. American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) were planted as monocultures and polycultures at 1x1 m, 2x2 m, and 3x3 m spacings in a split-split plot design to assess the effects of species selection, diversity, and competition on productivity. Above and below-ground productivity and an inclusive suite of functional traits were measured in pursuit of a mechanistic understanding of the productivity-diversity relationship. We measured physiological, morphological, chemical, and structural functional traits; for example, canopy structural metrics linked to light interception and above-ground productivity were calculated using Terrestrial LiDAR data. This study addresses the paucity of knowledge on below-ground dynamics in mixed-species plantations, as root growth and root-soil interactions have implications for carbon cycling and competition for water and nutrients. Preliminary results are presented. Presented by Madeline Montague, Purdue University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Impacts of Asian Longhorned Beetle and Associated Eradication Efforts on the Current Composition of Forests
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (ALB), is an invasive species that entered southern New England in 2008. Eradication efforts required the removal of all host trees, primarily Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum. Three primary treatments were used to address ALB: i) removal of all host species, ii) removal of all host species and stump removal, and iii) removal of all host species and herbicide treatment. These treatments began the pathway to eradication of ALB in Worcester county, Massachusetts but it is not yet known how this disturbance effected composition of these forests and how they will progress over various management schemes. In 2018, sites treated for ALB were sampled following USFS Forest Health Monitoring protocols and the herbaceous layer, seedlings, saplings, and overstory trees were quantified in each stand. Vegetation is compared among the stands and treatments using standard forestry methods and multivariate statistics. These preliminary findings will inform managers of the present forest composition in Worcester, MA and begin to uncover the effect of treatment type on vegetation development post-disturbance in Worcester County. These findings are particularly relevant as ALB invasions continue to be high-risk in areas across the United States, particularly in areas with host species and ports. Presented by Olivia Box, University of Vermont, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Nonnative Plant Invasion Severity and Risk in the Southern Timberlands
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Quantifying severity and risk of nonnative plant invasion is challenging but helpful for natural resource managers. Invasion level, based on presence probability and percent coverage of invasive species, is one of the recommended measures for quantifying invasion severity. In southern timberlands, most of the previous studies used either invasive richness, presence probability, or both to quantify invasion severity. However, only limited studies have quantified invasion severity using invasion level. In such context, we quantified invasion severity by invasion level using FIA data. Magnitude of changes in the severity overtime were used to quantify the invasion risk. Invasion levels were estimated at the county level for seven major forest type groups. A total of 71 nonnative invasive plant species were found in the region. Within a county, presence probability was estimated as the proportion of infested plots to total plots, separated by forest type groups. Similarly, mean percent coverage was estimated using the proportion of infested species cover to total plot cover. The lowest invasion level was found in the Longleaf/Slash Pine group, where presence probability was less than 30% and mean coverage was less than 5%. In contrast, the Elm/Ash/Cottonwood and Others groups experienced the highest level of invasion, with more than 60% presence probability and 10% mean cover. The Oak/Gum/Cypress, Loblolly/Shortleaf Pine, Oak/Pine, and Oak/Hickory groups experienced moderate levels of invasion, which contained presence probability between 30 and 60% and mean coverage between 5 and 10%. Trends and pattern of the invasion risk are predicted and shown in maps. Presented by Sunil Nepal, Auburn University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Surface Mining and Harvest Disturbances Interact with Landform to Shape Spatial Distribution of Invasive Exotic Plant Species in a Central Appalachian Forest Landscape
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Open to view video.
Central Appalachia harbors one of the most biologically diverse temperate forests in the world; yet its ecological integrity has been severely degraded by anthropogenic disturbances, especially surface mining and timber harvest. The timber harvest disturbance occurring within a forest play a crucial role in facilitating the landscape spread of invasive exotic plant species (IEPS). While surface mining disturbance occurring outside a forest can also galvanize the invasion of IEPS by increasing the propagule pressure on the landscape. To elucidate the interactive influence of timber harvesting and surface mining on IEPS invasion on a heterogeneous landscape, 249 field samples in four watersheds of an eastern Kentucky forest with varying levels of timber harvest disturbance intensity and proximity to surface mining sites were collected. The field data about IEPS occurrence were analyzed in conjunction with the GIS variables for spatial patterns and drivers. Results show that IEPS were much more pervasive in the three harvested watersheds than the uncut watershed. Harvested sites on the south-facing gentle slopes with less canopy coverage tended to have higher IEPS occurrence probability; while in the adjacent uncut watershed, spatial variability of IEPS distribution was mainly influenced by the ex-situ mined areas and in-situ roadway coverage. The study showcases a complicated interactive effect of multiple disturbances and microsite environment on spatial heterogeneity of species invasion on a landscape. Presented by Jian Yang, University of Kentucky, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Financial Effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners
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Changes in tax codes applicable to timberland investments can impact tax treatment of timber revenues and expenses. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) being regarded as a major overhaul of tax codes in the United States since 1986, our understanding about its impact on timberland investments for non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners is yet to be explored. Using the discounted cash flow method, we estimated and compared impacts of TCJA on net gain and net tax from managing timberland for two classifications of median income landowners in 11 southern states. Results showed a decrease in net gain and net tax for both material participants and investors with a greater impact on NIPF landowners managing timberland as investments. Thus, owning timberland can become less beneficial under the current law for median income NIPF landowners. Presented by Srijana Baral, University of Georgia, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
The Smallholder Access Program: A Certification Model for Small Woodland Owners in Appalachia
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Since its establishment, the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) has struggled to reach smallholder forests worldwide. In the United States, a range of organizations committed to responsible forestry practice has invested heavily in efforts to bring “family forests” into the system using group certification and modified indicators. As in many forest regions globally, small landowners are essential to the forest products industry; however, the requirements, auditing protocols, and costs associated with FSC certification do not align with the management, risks, and market realities faced by small woodland owners.
In response to this issue, the Smallholder Access Program (SAP) was created to provide access to FSC for smallholders with fewer than 250 acres while maintaining the values, rigor, and confidence of FSC claims. The SAP was designed using stakeholder consultation and primary research by the Appalachian Woodlands Alliance (AWA), a collaborative effort led by the Rainforest Alliance that is dedicated to improving and recognizing sustainable forestry practice in the southern and central Appalachians. The core innovation of the SAP is a set of critical indicators and rigorous auditing based on analysis of the FSC Principles & Criteria and regional social, economic, and environmental conditions. The SAP has been formally approved for a two-year pilot starting in April 2019. AWA believes that a highly confident claim of responsible forest management can be achieved through this approach and that it will substantially increase smallholder access to FSC and expand opportunities to improve forestry practices across a critical woodland owner group. Presented by Andrew Goldberg, Rainforest Alliance, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Accuracy Assessment of Forested Wetland Maps from Aerial Photography
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Field identification of wetland status was conducted on Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) timberland plots in the southeastern US in the 1990s. This dataset provides an opportunity to assess the accuracy of classification of forested wetlands from aerial photography. We overlaid over 16,000 plots for which geographic coordinates were known with moderate to high confidence onto wetland maps from the National Wetlands Inventory. Our analysis considered definitional differences, spatial uncertainty, and temporal disagreement between the two datasets. More forested wetlands were identified in the field than from aerial photography, with users’ accuracy of forested wetlands at about 90%. However, less than 40% of field-determined forested wetland plots were mapped as such by NWI. If these misclassification rates are consistent over time, it would indicate that classification of forested wetland loss between two points in time would occur with an accuracy of about 62%. Presented by Stephen Prisley, NCASI, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Assessing Influence of UAS Data Acquisition Parameters for Forest Photogrammetry and Assessing Influences of UAS Flight Parameters for Forest Structure Characterization
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Open to view video.
Characterization of forest structure is important for management-related decision making, especially in the wake of disturbance. Increasingly, observations of forest structure are needed at both finer resolution and across greater extents in order to support managers in meeting spatially explicit management objectives. Current methods of acquiring forest measurements can be limited by a combination of time, expense, and either extent or temporal resolution. In situ measurements can be time consuming and limited in extent, while airborne methods of data acquisition (e.g. LiDAR and aerial imagery) are costly enough to limit temporal resolution. Drones provide an airborne method of data acquisition at significantly lower cost and time commitment. Acquiring drone aerial imagery in a systematic fashion allows for photogrammetric reconstruction of 3D forest observations. Recent literature confirms these products provide similar detail to conventional LiDAR, although a knowledge gap exists to inform best practice for drone forest photogrammetry. This study evaluates the benefits of off-nadir and crosshatch image surveys on the distribution of photogrammetric 3D points. Additionally, this study tests the influence of forest structure against a series of single-tree extraction algorithms to inform the range of forest conditions they can reliably be applied. Closing such knowledge gaps should enable operational use of drone forest photogrammetry for temporal monitoring. Additionally characterization of forest structure is important at all spatial scales for informing management decision making. As spatially explicit management objectives become more common, observations of forest structure are needed at both finer-resolutions and across larger-extents. In situ measurements are time intensive and limited in extent, while the cost of airborne data acquisition (e.g. LiDAR and aerial imagery) limit frequent temporal monitoring. UAS have emerged as an alternative low-cost method for improving the spatial and temporal resolution of aerial data. Recent literature indicates that UAS can provide very high spatial and temporal resolution aerial imagery that can be converted to point clouds similar to LiDAR through photogrammetric methods. With increasing parameter control in UAS surveys, there is a need to investigate how flight parameters interact with forest structure to impact data quality. This study systematically tests the impact of fight altitude and speed on the quality of point clouds generated from automated photogrammetry workflows across different stand densities. Preliminary results indicate the ability to produce highly detailed point clouds for extracting forest structure characteristics using traditional LiDAR processing workflows. Our results indicate that UAS can provide accurate structure data for a fraction of the resources needed for conventional data acquisition methods. Presented by Matthew Creasy and Neal Swayze, Colorado State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Documentation of the Impact of a Tornado on Caddo Mounds Historical Site Using an Unmanned Drone
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Open to view video.
On April 12, 2019, the location of the Caddo House (Koo-Hoot Kiwat), the visitor’s center and the Snake Women’s Garden were location and images processed with the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) DJI Phantom 4. The site was flown at 200 feet using the Pix4DCapture 3D and an orthomosaic of the site was prepared using ESRI Drone2Map software in ArcGIS 10.6.2. To model the Caddo House, 625 images were taken using the DJI Phantom 4 in Pix4DCapture and a 3D model was created at a 1 cm resolution. The area was documented for the Caddo Nation Celebration for April 13 and to demonstration the use of a UAS for historical document. On April 13, 2019, an EF3 tornado struck the Caddo Mounds destroying the Caddo House, the visitor’s center and the Snake Women’s Garden. There were 30 injuries, one fatality and 40 vehicles lost in addition to the structures. The UAS was then used to document the area and map out locations of those injured in the tornado. Survivors became Sha-Ho or tornado survivors. To document the Caddo House, a three-inch and a six-inch 3D printed model was created as both a token of healing for the event and for use as a model in reconstruction. Presented by David Kulhavy, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Autumn Flooding of Nuttall Oak Seedlings Reduces Nitrogen Reserves and Subsequent Spring Growth
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Open to view video.
Since nitrogen (N) is often limiting in terrestrial ecosystems, N is conserved in trees by resorption in autumn before annual leaf fall. Many bottomland forests are prone to flooding in the autumn, which could reduce N uptake and potentially decrease phloem transport, which is essential for N resorption. Therefore, we hypothesized that autumn flooding may decrease both N uptake and N resorption, and that this would reduce the amount of N stored in tree seedlings prior to winter and negatively impact spring growth. We compared growth and nutrient contents of two year old Quercus texana (Nuttall oak) seedlings with and without complete root system flooding during autumn, when N resorption occurs. Autumn flooding resulted in a greater decrease in leaf N during senescence, indicating an increase in N resorption from leaves of flooded seedlings. In non-flooded seedlings, much more N accumulated in stems and roots than the amount resorbed from leaves, suggesting that there was substantial N uptake during autumn. However, flooding severely reduced accumulation of N and other nutrients during autumn. Among a subset of seedlings that were maintained through spring, seedlings that had been flooded in autumn had a 50% lower winter survival than non-flooded seedlings. Autumn-flooded seedlings that survived winter had greater new root growth in spring. We will discuss the implications of our results in the context of the competitive environment and future stresses Q. texana seedlings are likely to experience, and the potential of Q. texana to recover from autumn-flooding stress. Presented by Richard Sample, Purdue University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Evaluating a New Taper Equation for Planted Longleaf Pine: Applying Penalized Spline Regression
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Open to view video.
As a commercial timber species, longleaf pine has a commonly understood history of exploitation and extirpation from its native range. However, in the past few decades, hundreds of thousands of acres of old-field sites have been planted with longleaf pine across Georgia and the SE US. Currently, longleaf pine seedlings are being produced at the same rate as slash pine across the South. These young stands are now reaching merchantable sizes. It is hypothesized that existing taper and stem volume models for longleaf pine may not differentiate between the variation in site characteristics for stands currently growing in GA and the SE US due to the high bias they introduce. A new model using penalized spline regression (Zapata et al. 2019) will be tested against existing longleaf pine models to evaluate fit (Gonzalez-Benecke 2014; Brooks 2007). Data from 400 destructively sampled trees selected from 20 different sites across southern GA will be used to fit and test the models. These models will be useful for the existing longleaf pine stands and newly established stands across GA and the SE US on old-field and cut-over sites. Presented by Thomas B. Harris, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Productivity and Growth Comparison of Loblolly Pine Grown under Forest Water Reuse Irrigation Management
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Open to view video.
Irrigation is an important component of pine silviculture that can have significant effects on above-ground productivity. The use of municipal wastewater as an irrigation source is common on forested ecosystems in North Carolina as a method of land treatment. The effects on annual productivity and growth of pines grown on these land treatment systems is poorly understood. This study seeks to determine the productivity effects municipal wastewater irrigation has on an unmanaged Loblolly Pine tract in eastern North Carolina. Stand parameter data as well as soil samples, core increments, and understory vegetation were collected for even-aged pine stands that included irrigated and unirrigated sections. These stands varied in age from 25 to 46 years, with site indices at base age 25 of 45 to 65. A total of 220 plots were taken, distributed equally between the two irrigation treatments. Initial analysis suggests that irrigation yields variable effects on growth and productivity. The majority of stands do not display strong responses to irrigation in measured height, diameter, or annual ring increment width and do not significantly differ from unirrigated sections of the same stand. Soil fertility analysis is currently being conducted to potentially explain the lack of significant responses to irrigation across most of the stands. Initial results suggest that wastewater irrigation alone does not provide any meaningful productivity or growth effects on Loblolly Pine in eastern NC. Presented by Kyle Goeke Dee, North Carolina State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
The Value of Canopy Cover: A Hedonic Pricing Study in West Tennessee
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Open to view video.
Urban forests have been shown to impact residential property values. This study demonstrates the results of a hedonic pricing study to determine the impact of urban forest canopy cover on residential property values in Lakeland, Tennessee. Results demonstrate that tree cover has a significant positive influence on the sales price of single family residential properties in this community during the time of the study. However, positive impacts are limited to canopy cover from the surrounding lands and not from trees growing on individual lots. Studies in small, rapidly growing suburban cities are important as these communities represent the majority of cities in Tennessee and the south-central United States. As such, this study provides an example of how urban forest research can inform policy and management efforts to maximize benefits to a large population of Tennessee communities. Presented by Lee Bridges, Mississippi State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Urban Forest Research for Collaborative Urban Forest Management
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Open to view video.
An overview will be provided on the collaborative urban forestry program built between the Overton Park Conservancy, Rhodes College, Christian Brothers University, Mississippi State University, and the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. The urban forestry program exemplifies many unique benefits of collaborative research. This presentation will also focus on outcomes of the partnership, including unexpected research findings, opportunities for engaging scholarship for both graduate and undergraduate students, and development of greater community involvement in urban forest management. The presenters include the Operations Director as well as undergraduate students. The presentation will highlight the opportunity for urban forests to function as a community space, where various forms of collaboration and research can take place. Ultimately, attendees will gain insight into collaborative urban forest research and management strategies. Presented by Lee Bridges, Mississippi State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Restoring Ponderosa Pine Age/Size Structure across Productivity Classes using Multi-Aged Group Selection Approaches
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Open to view video.
Ponderosa pine forests developed (historically/pre-historically) as uneven-aged/multi-aged mixes of individuals recruited sporadically over decades and centuries at low densities. Fire was fundamental to creating regeneration opportunities and subsequently thinning that regeneration. Across multiple stand reconstructions of age structure in western North America, there are few past decades with more than five surviving representatives/acre and the long-term average is 1-2 trees/ac. Given mortality and the ravages of time, twenty-plus-inch trees (“large”) can span 10 decades or more of recruitment (“age”) and yet only sum to six trees per acre on average in the larger size classes (4-in diameter classes). This age distribution approach provides a simple regeneration target for multi-aged group selection silviculture, which requires regular and predictable regeneration (minimum 2-3 trees/acre/decade on average) and steady and predictable growth from smaller to larger diameter classes. Variability in site productivity (site index and corresponding plant associations) regulates four factors of the age/size structure: total density/biomass, ultimate tree size, growth rates among diameter classes and mortality rates across size classes. More productive sites, supporting ponderosa pine and true fir species (particularly in the absence of fire) can support more and larger trees, with more rapid growth and lower mortality pressure. Regardless, all productivity classes “require” 14 trees/ac in the smallest diameter class to be sustainable over time. Reconstructed regeneration rates plus advance regeneration easily provide this flow of individuals into the diameter distribution. Regular fire disturbance and attention to spatial pattern assure sustainability. Presented by John Bailey, Oregon State University, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.