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2021 Science Flash Bundle
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Enjoy these curated Science Flash presentations from the virtual 2021 SAF National Convention.
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Presentations
Climate Change & Forest Carbon
Meeting Community Forestry Challenges from Climate Change, Tree Care, and Professional Capacity - Anne Fege, San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council
Urban and Rural Foresters' Perceptions of Global Change and Adaptive Management in the Northeastern US - Tessa McGann, University of Vermont
Education, Extension & Communication
Community Perceptions of Tree Risk and Management - Jason Gordon, University of Georgia
Community Perceptions of Wood-Based Energy Technology and Facilities in Michigan - Emily Huff, Michigan State University Department of Forestry
Comparing Three Protocols and Two Certification Schemes for Ascertaining the Trajectories of Global Forest Governance - Parag Kadam, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Quantifying Paradigm Shifts in Forest Management through Trending Topics in Forest Science - Adam Polinko, Mississippi State University
Visitors’ Characteristics and Economic Contribution for Wildlife Management Areas in Oklahoma - Madison Gore, Oklahoma State University
Harvesting & Utilization
Strategic Buffering of Streams to Minimize Effects from Timber Harvest Activities on Listed Species - Melissa Klungle, ICF
Tracking Logging Profitability for Contractors Working in the New York City Watershed - Kristopher Brown, Watershed Agricultural Council
Human Dimensions & History of Forestry
Human Health Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure from Wildfires on Vulnerable Populations - Peter Johnson, University of Alberta
Inventory & Biometrics
Impact of Biochar as Soil Amendment on Physiology of Live Oak ( Quercus virginiana ) - Zhu Ning, Southern University
Projecting Timber Supply in the U.S. South: Investigating Model Assumptions and Outcomes - Bruno Kanieski da Silva, Mississippi State University
Northern & Eastern Silviculture and Forest Ecology
Sustainable Timber Harvest and Wildlife Habitat: Case Study on State Lands in Minnesota - John Zobel, University of Minnesota
Private & Family Forestry
Comparison between First-generation and Multi-generation Maple Syrup Producers - Anusha Shrestha, Stephen F. Austin State University
Family Forest Owners’ Participation in Carbon Programs - Emma Sass, Family Forest Research Center
Remote Sensing & Geospatial Applications
Astrape: An Automated System to Map Severe Abiotic Forest Disturbances - Sarah Wegmueller, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Pioneering Operational Uses of a New Individual Tree Lidar Product on the University of Idaho Experimental Forest - Robert Keefe, University of Idaho Experimental Forest
Southern Silviculture and Forest Ecology
Ecological Forestry in a Longleaf Pine Woodland: Spatial Patterns and Dynamics - Jeffery Cannon, The Jones Center at Ichauway
Urban & Community Forestry
Developing a Certification System for Urban Forests in the United States - Parag Kadam, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Forests and Urban Green Spaces: Promoting Connections to Human Wellbeing in the United States - Kelechi Eleanya, Yale University
Western & Northwestern Silviculture and Forest Ecology
The Stand Development Legacies of Competing Vegetation Control and Planting Density in California Ponderosa Pine - Christopher Looney, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station
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Meeting Community Forestry Challenges from Climate Change, Tree Care, and Professional Capacity
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Open to view video.
Climate change is reinforcing the shade, cooling, energy savings, and health benefits of trees. Broadcast images and personal experiences with climate-related natural disasters are beginning to inspire local activism. Some want to plant trees, but hear myths about tree watering, maintenance, and infrastructure conflicts. San Diego’s heroine Kate Sessions, who planted 100 trees annually in Balboa Park a century ago, has now inspired a group that is fostering “healthy trees for healthy communities” and advising “how to get and grow trees”—and it is named Kate Sessions Commitment. Trees are being lost to development, drought and pests in the San Diego region. “Infill” is approved for buildings with narrow property set-backs, resulting in removal of large, older trees. Whereas there is increasing demand for affordable and transit-proximate housing, more neighborhoods are losing tree canopy. Drought is widespread in California, but trees are long term investments and require relatively few gallons when watered effectively. A TreeWatch movement has been started, to invite communities to map and nominate eligible trees for Heritage Tree status, advocate for trees and parks in development plans, report parking lots with dead and missing trees, and water trees monthly. There are relatively few local urban foresters and certified arborists, and city staffs are understaffed and underfunded. This contributes to limited listening to community concerns, defensiveness when citizens advocate for tree services, and protection of professional expertise when challenged. To expand urban forestry capacity, a pilot Tree Ambassador program has been launched, recruiting from communities and organizations that recognize trees can meet their missions—such as public health, wildlife habitat and “creation care.” Tree Ambassadors will inform and educate about how to purchase 5-gallon trees at local nurseries, accept donated trees, or request street trees. A modest stipend is offered, expanding participation and providing accountability that volunteers sometimes lack. Presented by Anne Fege from San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Urban and Rural Foresters' Perceptions of Global Change and Adaptive Management in the Northeastern US
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Presently, forests across the globe are facing change at a rate and scale not previously experienced. Due to the timing, severity, and compounding nature of stressors related to climate change and shifting socioeconomic demands, stakeholders around the world fear the loss of the fundamental function and form of their forests and greater socio-ecological systems. Accordingly, urban and rural foresters have been called to adapt their management to changing and uncertain conditions. However, studies of foresters across North America and the globe have documented significant gaps between the recommended adaptive management strategies and their implementation, with varying explanations. Despite previous research conducted in the northeastern United States, questions remain regarding the current nature, extent, and drivers of adaptation among both urban and rural foresters across the region. The research presented here is based on qualitative analysis of 32 in-depth semi-structured interviews with urban and rural foresters (n = 15 and n = 17, respectively) across New England and New York. Theories of pro-environmental behavior, risk, and resilience are utilized to explore i) how foresters across the Northeast perceive and respond to the risk and uncertainty of global change, ii) what factors facilitate and hinder the adaptation practices of urban and rural foresters, and iii) how scientists and other stakeholders can better support foresters in their adaptation. Central themes include the influence of public perception and subregional cultural values, the potential for learning across the urban-rural divide, and the role of strong communities of practice in the transfer of knowledge. Presented by Tessa McGann from University of Vermont at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Community Perceptions of Tree Risk and Management
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Open to view video.
This research examines community perceptions of urban tree risk mitigation in the state of Georgia. Increased urbanization throughout the United States has a significant impact on urban societies, exacerbating challenges related to climate change, air pollution, and weather events. Community forests (trees growing in urban and peri-urban areas, including villages and large cities) are vital to mitigating the effects of these changes but require special considerations such as risk mitigation in developed landscapes. To better understand risk mitigation actions, this study employs key informant interviews with community members of four cities in the state of Georgia, USA. Guided by a socio-ecological resilience framework, findings identify factors affecting resident attitudes towards tree management on the individual parcel and the community levels. Findings benefit tree risk governance in the face of climate variability, which increases societal and environmental vulnerability in urban settings. Presented by Jason Gordon from University of Georgia at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Community Perceptions of Wood-Based Energy Technology and Facilities in Michigan
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Open to view video.
Wood-based energy has been a controversial topic in the renewable energy debate for many decades. While wood is a renewable resource, some may feel it is not an ideal renewable energy source, due to the carbon emitted when wood is combusted for heat and power, while other may perceive that wood-based energy facilities create a 'market' for wood that will result in over-harvesting. A multi-disciplinary research team fielded a survey in 2021 to better understand perceptions of wood-energy facilities in seven Michigan communities that have a biomass cogeneration facility, local/community wood-boiler buildings, and a high percentage of residents with woodstoves, wood boilers, and pellet systems. These participants are then compared to residents who do not live in counties with large-scale biomass facilities. We sought to understand if residents had positive or negative perceptions of wood-based energy generally, and to share their perspectives on the large facility in their community. Preliminary survey results indicate that residents have a generally positive view of wood-based energy production, but are concerned about health risks. Most residents also feel that perceptions of the biomass facility closest to them have not changed since it was first built. By understanding the historic legacy of perceptions of large-scale biomass facilities, we can compare current wood-based energy technology perceptions and use to past community sentiment, and inform better messaging of the potential benefits of wood-based energy technologies in the future. Presented by Emily Huff from Michigan State University Department of Forestry at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Comparing Three Protocols and Two Certification Schemes for Ascertaining the Trajectories of Global Forest Governance
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Open to view video.
Sustainable forest management (SFM) protocols are driven by multi-stakeholder groups that outline a series of standardized criteria and indicators agreed upon by participating countries. On the other hand, forest certification involves market-driven multi-stakeholder standardization, assessment, and recognition of a forest management entity’s compliance with standards established by the respective certification program. In this study, we compare the trends and levels of changes that have taken place over two consecutive time periods (1995-2005 and 2005-2015) through case studies for three protocols (Montreal process, International Tropical Timber Organization, and Forest Europe) and two certification schemes (Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative). We use the stakeholder theory to demonstrate how social relationships and inter-organizational collaborations shape stakeholder action and consequently the development of selected SFM systems. A qualitative review of the respective systems is followed by a graphical representation of the observed changes. Finally, we compare the relative quantitative changes in the categories of selected systems. We argue that if stakeholder coordination is effective, then some convergence between and across protocols and certification schemes should be seen. Through our case study-oriented analyses, we find less convergence in the compared systems than expected. Moreover, the convergence of discourse regarding the need for mitigating tropical forestry issues seems to have shifted in practice towards more temperate foci of the standard developments possibly explaining the current global inequality in the deforestation rates. This shows that there may be significant room for improvement in the process of standardization of SFM practices and stakeholder network coordination worldwide. Presented by Parag Kadam from Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Quantifying Paradigm Shifts in Forest Management through Trending Topics in Forest Science
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Open to view video.
Forestry and forest research have evolved in focus and scope as management and scientific paradigms have changed through time. Quantitative evidence of these paradigm shifts, however, is rare. We used a bibliometric approach to quantify themes in the titles of 150,679 documents archived by the Web of Science database. The dataset spanned from 1956 to 2019 and included books, conference proceedings, and scientific articles. We analyzed the increase or decrease in frequency of words and word pairs in titles through time. Patterns in word and word pair frequencies reveal a transition away from production-oriented research towards broader, integrative ideas of forests as dynamic ecosystems. Ecological research became increasingly intertwined with forestry research in the later portions of the dataset. The analysis also revealed more ephemeral trends that may be linked to changes in technology or funding structures. We argue that the changes observed in research topics reflect a broader change in predominant forest management paradigms and ask the question: Where do we go from here? Presented by Adam Polinko from Mississippi State University at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Visitors’ Characteristics and Economic Contribution for Wildlife Management Areas in Oklahoma
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Open to view video.
The provision of public recreation lands such as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) involves significant costs in terms of acquisition, protection, and maintenance. Given inherent costs, state wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations interested in expanding more land into the WMA system may benefit from the information pertaining to the economic impact of WMAs on the economy at the local and state level. Likewise, the information on visitor satisfaction is also important as it can lead to increased visitation and expenditure. Data from visitor survey were analyzed to quantify the economic impacts of current use and to establish a model explaining visitor satisfaction with WMAs in Oklahoma. Preliminary results show that WMA visitors spend an average of $356 during a typical trip to a WMA, spending, on average, the most on gasoline. Visitors’ primary recreation activity when visiting a WMA is mostly fishing. 74% of visitors were satisfied with their overall recreational experience, and most visitors were satisfied with WMA accessibility, the condition of roads and trails, the adequacy of signage, land management practices, scenery, privacy from others, and the feeling of safety during their most recent WMA visit. Overall, most visitors indicated that they did not use boat ramps and/or shooting ranges during their most recent WMA visit. However, most of the visitors that used shooting ranges were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their availability and condition, and those that used boat ramps were satisfied with their availability and condition. Visitors were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the Special Area Regulations of the WMA they most recently visited. Results from this study will help the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation facilitate future land acquisitions, tailor appropriate outreach programs, and management practices to satisfy the needs and wants of visitors and attract more visitors to WMAs in Oklahoma. Presented by Madison Gore from Oklahoma State University at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Strategic Buffering of Streams to Minimize Effects from Timber Harvest Activities on Listed Species
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Open to view video.
Habitat conservation plans developed under the Endangered Species Act are required to have conservation actions that avoid and minimize potential take of covered species and mitigate take that cannot be avoided or minimized. Demonstrating that potential impacts are minimized in a forested landscape, often means changing operational standards. As part of the development of strategies for the Western Oregon State Forests HCP, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) established Riparian Conservation Area (RCAs) to demonstrate that potential effects on listed fish species from timber harvest activities would be minimized. RCAs are riparian buffers that are tailored to facilitate natural stream processes, such as recruitment of large woody debris, protection against stream temperature increases, and minimization of sediment transfer into the stream environment. To achieve this, buffer widths were based on stream characteristics including fish presence, stream size, flow duration, and dynamic features such as high gradient seasonal streams and potential landslide activity. This riparian strategy was then modeled across all state forest lands in the HCP permit area to estimate both potential wood recruitment and reduction in timber harvest volume. This strategy will create a predictable method for designating and implementing standardized buffers in conjunction with harvest activities. The combination of buffers that are tailored to each process, based on best scientific understand, while also retaining predictability during field implementation, was the key to meeting both regulatory and operational needs. Presented by Melissa Klungle from ICF at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Tracking Logging Profitability for Contractors Working in the New York City Watershed
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Open to view video.
A recent study of the profitability of 23 logging jobs in New York and Pennsylvania found that nearly half were money losers, but the study examined just one job per logger. This research tracks the profitability of jobs completed over a one-year period (Oct. 2020 through Sept. 2021) for four loggers working in and outside the west-of-Hudson (Catskill/Delaware) New York City Watershed. Contractor interviews were used to determine the cost to operate each machine per productive machine hour, as well as daily overhead costs (e.g., liability insurance, employee training, advertising, commuting). Contractors provided post-harvest results, including machine hours, job-specific costs (e.g., machine transport, gravel, skidder bridges), production, and revenue. Planning and Analysis in Timber Harvesting (PATH) was used to track return-on-investment and profit margin for each job. This presentation examines how a few jobs could impact logger economic viability for the year. Presented by Kristopher Brown from Watershed Agricultural Council at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Human Health Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure from Wildfires on Vulnerable Populations
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Open to view video.
Introduction: Wildfires broke out on numerous occasions across North America, particularly in states and provinces such as California, Texas, Arizona, and British Columbia, where air quality was significantly impacted due to increased particulate matter (PM). Although air pollution studies have shown its adverse effects on lung and respiratory function, there remains a limited amount of studies which characterize or focus on vulnerable groups with respiratory and cardiovascular comorbidity. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of PubMed/Medline and EMBASE databases on the literature on at-risk populations for respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes during wildfire emergencies following ENTREQ guidelines. Results: Reported retrospective data showed significant interaction terms for rhinitis and asthma in itchy/watery eyes and sneezing, whereas only asthma for sore throat were obtained. Exposure to PM or wildfire smoke was associated with increased respiratory symptoms in cohorts of children, adults, and elderly, notably those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease, and/or rhinitis. Positive risk of itchy/watery eyes and sore throat and higher estimated risks in the affected population compared to the non-rhinitis or non-asthmatic groups are all consistent across a number of retrospective and cross-sectional studies. Similar trends were observed with occupational exposures. However, many of these studies are limited by recall bias, inaccurate effect estimates by parental self-reported data, children and affected adults not in study area, as well as reduced statistical power. A body of emerging clinical evidence has also considered in utero exposure to particulate matter in pregnant mothers, which has shown oxidative stress, placental insufficiency, and cardiovascular susceptibility, consistent with both short-term and long-term developmental health outcomes in offspring. Conclusions: Increased PM during wildfire seasons was associated with a number of respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes following exposure in vulnerable populations consisting of children and adults with existing respiratory and/or cardiovascular comorbidity, pregnant mothers, and frontline workers due to smoke from occupational exposure. Presented by Peter Johnson from University of Alberta at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Impact of Biochar as Soil Amendment on Physiology of Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
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Open to view video.
Biochar is a charcoal-like substance that is made by burning organic materials from agricultural and forestry wastes/biomass in a controlled process called pyrolysis. Biochar technology shows promise in mitigating climate change and improving soil quality, as well as reducing waste and producing energy as a byproduct. Currently, there is lack of information on biochar as urban soil amendment and its effects on urban tree physiology. The objective is to examine the effects of biochar as soil amendment on photosynthesis and shoot growth of Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana). Biochar was applied as soil amendment under the Live Oaks in a field experiment. A complete randomized block design was employed with four replications of the six biochar treatments - 0% biochar, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. Data on net photosynthesis (Ps) were obtained using the LI-COR 6400 Portable Ps System. Shoot elongation was measured for two growing seasons. Data were analyzed with SAS using a mixed analysis of variance model where treatment was the fixed effect and block was the random effect. Results showed that 20% and 25% biochar soil amendment increased Live Oak Ps rate significantly; the highest Ps rate was with 25% biochar treatment. Shoot growth was significantly increased after soil was treated by 15% to 30% biochar, with the highest at 25% biochar content. The result indicated that the optimal biochar application as soil amendment is 25%. This research contributes to promote wood waste recycling, biochar utilization, and soil nutrient management. Presented by Zhu Ning from Southern University at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Projecting Timber Supply in the U.S. South: Investigating Model Assumptions and Outcomes
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
The timber market in the US South is one of the most competitive in the world, with a large number of transactions between heterogeneous landowners and a large number of wood-consuming mills. In this environment, decision-makers in different sectors, from public institutions to timberland investors and industry, require powerful tools for strategic planning. Recognizing the need for multiple scenarios and projections to capture an unforeseen future, the forest sector in the US South has relied on multiple decision support systems. Among others, the SubRegional Timber Supply (SRTS) model has addressed multiple natural resources problems, from land use and forest carbon management to traditional timber markets. Here we propose an additional approach for modeling the forest sector in the US South, by adapting the spatially explicit inputs used in SRTS and modifying its structure from upper-bottom to bottom-upper goal programming. We rely on a spatial equilibrium approach, hereafter called SETS (Spatial Equilibrium Timber Supply Model), which builds the timber supply and inventory from counties aggregating to the timber basket basis. We project the timber inventory for sawtimber, and pulpwood for the next fifty years based on a historical trend from the Timber Product Out (TPO). Initial results show that SETS is more restrictive to the flow of timber across different counties, leading to higher volume harvested in counties with wood-using mills in comparison to SRTS. Lastly, we present the interface aggregated to the QGIS. Presented by Bruno Kanieski da Silva from Mississippi State University at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Sustainable Timber Harvest and Wildlife Habitat: Case Study on State Lands in Minnesota
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Open to view video.
The implications of proposed forest management on wildlife habitat remains a critical component of forest planning efforts. As a public agency case study, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) recently evaluated and identified sustainable harvest targets over the next decade, including creating an exhaustive list of stands for examination, appraisal, and potential sale. This presentation describes the efforts to quantify the effect of these harvests on the habitat of 172 native, forest dependent wildlife species in Minnesota. Three scenarios were compared between 2020 and 2030: no harvest, full harvest (all stands sold and harvested in the same year), and partial harvest (proportion of stands sold, then harvested sometime later). The latter scenario required extensive simulations allowing for different sale rates and harvest lag times. Wildlife habitat conditions in 2020 and simulated 2030 were quantified using the Wildlife Habitat Indicator for Native Genera and Species (WHINGS) model, then compared to observe management effects. Implications of study results will be discussed, including forest management decisions, forest inventory needs, and model sensitivity. Presented by John Zobel from University of Minnesota at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Comparison between First-generation and Multi-generation Maple Syrup Producers
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Open to view video.
Although the maple syrup industry is typically recognized as a multi-generational family business, a recent study found that more than half of the maple syrup producers were first-generation producers (first-gens). Limited information exists on first-gens and how they compare with multi-generation producers (multi-gens) in terms of their sugarbush management and production and marketing of maple syrup. Understanding first-gens and comparing them with multi-gens could help identify factors in sugarbush management, and production and marketing of syrup that are crucial to enhance sustainable sugarbush management and development of the maple syrup industry. A mail survey was conducted among maple syrup producers in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The list of producers was collected from Maple Producer Association, and OSU and PSU extension. Data related to their sugarbush, maple sap collection, maple syrup production, marketing of maple syrup, and their socioeconomic characteristics were collected. Based on number of generations involved in the sugarbush operation, two groups – first-gens and multi-gens were identified. T-test and chi-square tests were used to compare these groups on the basis of their sugarbush characteristics, maple sap collection, maple syrup production, maple syrup marketing, and socioeconomic characteristics. Sugarbush owned by multi-gens consisted of greater proportion of Sugar maples, whereas first-gens owned greater proportion of Red maples. Multi-gens harvested timber to manage sugarbush more actively than first-gens. Regarding syrup production, no significant differences were observed. However, multi-gens sold their syrup mostly in bulk and first-gens in direct retail. Word of mouth was the most used and preferred advertisement method. But, among other advertisement methods, multi-gens considered road signs, and first-gens considered social media more effective. In terms of use of educational and technical resources, multi-gens participated more in maple days and tours and first-gens utilized more videos and digital trainings. Furthermore, first-gens considered net profitability from maple operation more important than multi-gens. Presented by Anusha Shrestha from Stephen F. Austin State University at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Family Forest Owners’ Participation in Carbon Programs
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Open to view video.
Forests are critical to mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration and storage; carbon programs are a tool to keep forest as forest and to increase carbon sequestration and storage on the landscape through payments to landowners for enhanced forest management and afforestation. Families and individuals hold over a third of U.S. forestland and will play a significant role in the future of these forests, but they face many barriers to participating in carbon programs, including high costs of entry and monitoring, market uncertainty and risk, and challenges with feasibility, especially for smaller parcels. Using data from across the U.S. from the National Woodland Owner Survey, we analyze family forest owners who participate in carbon programs, those who are familiar with carbon programs but do not participate, and those who are not familiar with these types of programs. Population-level summaries and comparisons among these groups will be discussed. Family forest owners are a key component in the role that forests will play in mitigating climate change, and understanding who these landowners are will help inform carbon policies and programs. Presented by Emma Sass from Family Forest Research Center at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Astrape: An Automated System to Map Severe Abiotic Forest Disturbances
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Open to view video.
Severe forest disturbance events are becoming more common due to climate change, and many forest managers rely heavily upon airborne surveys to map damage. However, when the damage is extensive, airborne assets are in high demand and it can take managers several weeks to get a full accounting of the damage, delaying important management actions. While some satellite-based systems exist to help with this process, their spatial resolution or latency can be too large for the needs of managers, as evidenced by the continued use of airborne imaging. Here, we present a fully automated system capable of leveraging high spatial and temporal resolution Sentinel-2 and Planet Dove imagery to support the mapping process. This system, which we have named Astrape, leverages new and recently developed techniques in image segmentation and machine learning to produce maps of damage in different forest types and regions, greatly reducing the need for potentially dangerous airborne surveys and ground sampling needed to accurately quantify severe damage. We present the Astrape framework and demonstrate its flexibility and potential with four case studies depicting four different disturbance types (fire, hurricane, derecho, and tornado) in three different regions of the United States. Astrape is capable of leveraging various sources of satellite imagery and offers an efficient, flexible, and economical option for mapping severe damage in forests. Presented by Sarah Wegmueller from University of Wisconsin - Madison at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Pioneering Operational Uses of a New Individual Tree Lidar Product on the University of Idaho Experimental Forest
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Individual tree products that accurately incorporate prediction of species in mixed conifer stands have long been the elusive promise of lidar-derived individual tree products in the Inland northwest. Through a collaboration with Idaho Dept. of Lands, industry partners, Smart Forest Systems, and the Intermountain Forestry Cooperative, we acquired a complete, lidar-derived individual tree inventory product for the University of Idaho Experimental Forest (UIEF). I summarize practical lessons learned and perspectives on future technology distilled from using the product regularly to help guide preparation and administration of recent timber sales and fuels management on the UIEF over the last year. Being the first university research, demonstration and teaching forest to fully adopt individual tree-level analysis into all aspects of the hands-on, experiential learning that defines our student-led forest management not only helps prepare future professionals for the highly digitized forest industry they will lead, but also fosters a variety of applied research opportunities that will help to further advance and improve on the use of smart, precision silviculture and forest operations. Presented by Robert Keefe from University of Idaho Experimental Forest at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Ecological Forestry in a Longleaf Pine Woodland: Spatial Patterns and Dynamics
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Open to view video.
Current practices in forest management may intentionally emulate natural disturbances. Coastal longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests are affected by frequent hurricanes that may form the basis for management using natural disturbance-based silviculture (NDBS). In 2009, a long-term forest dynamics experiment investigating NDBS treatments was established in upland longleaf pine woods, where all trees > 10 cm dbh were mapped within eighteen 4.0 ha plots. In 2010, stands were harvested using Stoddard-Neel Approach (SNA; individual tree selection), group selection, or group selection with reserves (uncut stands served as controls). In SNA, harvested trees were chosen for timber stand improvement and leave-trees were chosen to avoid interruption of fuel-bed continuity. Group selection openings were 0.2-0.4 ha; sizes were chosen to make residual stand density consistent with SNA. SNA emulated small disturbance such as lightning strikes whereas the group treatments emulated larger disturbances such as windthrow. Using geostatistical methods, we compared treatment effects on spatial pattern, recruitment, and mortality at 10 years after harvest. SNA decreased abundance of 10-30 cm dbh trees and reduced the fine-scale aggregation that is typical of old-growth longleaf pine stands. Group selection with reserves had the highest recruitment which typically occurred in clusters and was positively associated with existing overstory trees. Tree mortality primarily occurred to single trees rather than tree groups for all treatments. These results indicate that NDBS treatments can vary strongly in their effects on spatial pattern and ecological processes. SNA emphasizes maintaining control of resprouting hardwoods with fire but may also simplify overstory spatial structure and alter some aspects of forest dynamics. NDBS prescriptions such as group selection with reserves that consider multiple disturbances (e.g., wind damage, lightning, and fire) may foster dynamics that are more congruent with forests that have intact natural disturbance regimes and merit continued evaluation. Presented by Jeffery Cannon from The Jones Center at Ichauway at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Developing a Certification System for Urban Forests in the United States
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Urban areas in the United States have seen an increase from the 1990s and further growth is projected. Recognizing sustainable urban forestry practices is critical for increasing the socio-ecological and economic resilience of cities. In this study, we review the historical, theoretical, and practical capacities as well as the procedural and substantive details of existent programs that recognize good forestry practices in the United States. We also provide guidelines for what needs to be done to build on existing networks and institutions for establishing an urban forest certification system. Current systems of recognition like Tree City USA and Urban Forest Sustainability and Management Audit are limited because they do not have robust third-party verification procedures that define liabilities of non-conformance to urban forestry standards. Moreover, the process of standardizing principles, criteria, and indicators has not been as detailed in these existent urban recognition systems as in traditional forest certification systems like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Urban forest managers, communities, private companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders have shown significant interest in instituting a more holistic certification-based governance system of recognizing sustainable urban forestry. An important opportunity is available for urban systems that recognize and promote good forestry practices to learn from existent mechanisms of forest certification about potential and challenges faced on the ground in standardization, recognition, and verification governance. Presented by Parag Kadam from Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
Forests and Urban Green Spaces: Promoting Connections to Human Wellbeing in the United States
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Human wellbeing is a critical aspect of social and national development. With COVID-19 and other stressors like climate change, people are sinking into depression and other psychological and mental stress. Forests and urban green spaces offer vast opportunities for recreation through several activities that can bring about physical, emotional and mental fitness and wellness. The United States is replete with several national parks, recreation areas and urban green spaces offering various outdoor activities, however, there needs to be more intentional connection and linkages between these natural areas and human wellbeing. This presentation seeks to promote this important linkage and suggest strategies for engaging with communities to create more awareness and encourage the use of urban green spaces in a systematic manner that yields direct benefits to all people. Presented by Kelechi Eleanya from Yale University at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.
The Stand Development Legacies of Competing Vegetation Control and Planting Density in California Ponderosa Pine
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Open to view video.
In light of increasing post-fire reforestation needs in California and the Western U.S., there is renewed interest in how to quickly and effectively establish young forest stands. Key decisions foresters must make in reforestation projects is how to use competing vegetation control and planting density for effective reforestation. Competing vegetation control (CVC) is effective at accelerating young stand development and growth. However, the effects of CVC vary with planting density, and may shift from positive to negative to stand growth at older stand ages. Furthermore, CVC may alter how efficiently trees use resources, with implications for wood products, wildlife, and fire risk. Examining individual-tree growth dynamics may help identify mechanisms driving long-term stand development under CVC and planting density. We performed an in-depth analysis of a long-term experimental ponderosa pine plantation in California, USA. We quantified the effects of CVC and initial spacing over time comparing predicted vs. observed growth using Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) calibration statistics. We used path analysis to examine how individual tree size and live crown ratio, two key growth predictors in the FVS model, mediate the effects of CVC and planting density during the establishment vs. stem exclusion phases of stand development. We examined growth dominance trends to investigate how CVC and planting density impact tree resource use over time, and whether these patterns explain patterns of stand-level production and structural complexity. We found that positive CVC effects on volume increment were strongest in the first 20 years of stand development. At young stand ages, DBH mediated density and CVC effects on increment, while weaker direct CVC effects shifted from positive to negative over time. Growth dominance was highest at low planting densities under CVC, suggesting improved resource use efficiency. Our findings have implications for modeling the effects of CVC in reforestation projects. Presented by Christopher Looney from USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station at the 2021 SAF National Virtual Convention.