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Climate Change & Forest Carbon Bundle
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Enjoy this curated set of on-demand presentations that focus on climate change and forest carbon. This bundle will be updated as new content becomes available.
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Presentations
2018
Impacts of Unpredictable Climate Patterns - Joseph Orefice, Yale University
2019
Assessing Tools to Quantify Health Impacts and Economic Value of Using Wood Biomass as a Renewable Energy Source - McKenna Hedgepeth, Northern Arizona University School of Forestry
Berea College Forest Carbon Project: Lessons Learned from a Southern Mixed Hardwood Forest - Emily Warms, Forest Carbon Partners
Determining Land Use Changes for Biopower Generation in the Southeastern US under Various Policy Incentives - Md Farhad Hossain Masum, University of Georgia
Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Generating Electricity from Eucalyptus Clones in Colombia - Md Farhad Hossain Masum, University of Georgia
Economics of Intercropping Loblolly Pine and Oil-Seed Crops for Bio-Jet Fuel in the U.S. South - Hosne Akter, University of Georgia
Nutrient Removal in Shrub Willow Biomass and Long-Term Impacts in Soil Nutrient Concentration - Daniel de Souza, SUNY-ESF
Potential Economic Impacts of Allocating More Land for Bioenergy Biomass Production in Virginia - Thomas Ochuodho, University of Kentucky
The Interrelationship of Climate, Markets, and Wildfire on Forest Carbon Projections for the United States - Raju Pokharel, College of Natural Resources
2020
Economics of Carbon Sequestration Potential and Pricing in the Forests of Georgia, USA - Madisen Fuller, University of Georgia
Is Forest Management Carbon Neutral? A Life Cycle Inventory and Analysis of a Harvesting Operation - Joshua Weyrens, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Perceptions of Climate Change Adaptation among Forest Land Managers and Small Woodlot Owners - Alyssa Soucy, University of Maine
Replacing Georgia’s Coal-based Electricity with Biopower: An Environmental and Economic Assessment - Md Farhad Hossain Masum, University of Georgia
Understanding Climate Change Resiliency of South-Central Transitional Ecotone in US - Bijesh Mishra, Oklahoma State University
Using Physiological Parameters to Refine Estimates of Populus Performance and Productivity at Contrasting Sites - Heidi Renninger, Mississippi State University
Wood Bioenergy for Rural Energy Resilience: Suitable Site Selection and Potential Economic Impacts in Kentucky - Thomas Ochuodho, University of Kentucky
2021
Carbon Market Access for Small Woodland Owners: A Case Study of the Raincloud Tree Farm - Sarah Ford, Forest Carbon Works
Designing A Field Inventory for Large-Scale Annualized Forest Carbon Monitoring - Nan Pond, NCX
Effects of Stand Density on Carbon Dynamics in Shortleaf Pine and Upland Oak Forests - Benjamin Knapp, University of Missouri
Exploring Carbon Market Opportunities for Forest Owners - Sadikshya Sharma, Pennsylvania State University
Impact of Intensively Managed Plantation Rotation Length on Global Carbon Budget - Austin Himes, Mississippi State University
Management Influences Aboveground Forest Carbon Storage and Sequestration in Mature Oak Forests: 38 Year Results - Jeffrey Ward, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Temporal Trends in Water Table Depth for the Conterminous United States Over Three Decades - Holly Munro, University of Georgia
2022
Leveraging Carbon Markets for Forest Health and Productivity - Marissa Spence, Climate Action Reserve
Landowner Willingness to Accept (WTA) Payments for Carbon Sequestration in the USA: A Meta-Analysis - Sadikshya Sharma, Pennsylvania State University
IFM Carbon Accounting: Using FIA Data and Nearest Neighbor Matching to Create Dynamic Baselines - Ethan Belair, The Nature Conservancy
Identifying Optimal Locations For Hardwood Clt Plants In Tennessee: Application Of Spatially Explicit Framework - Ram Adhikari, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Billion Tons of Biomass for Bioenergy: Next Assessment, SRWCs and Other Forest-based Biomass Opportunities - Maggie Davis
Carbon Offsets and Credits are Not the Best Way to Promote Carbon-Smart Forestry - Marc McDill, Penn State University, Department of Ecosystem Science and Mgmt
2023
Products, Management, and Institutions: a Systems Approach to Mitigating Climate Change with Forestry - Robert Alec Giffen, New England Forestry Foundation and Clean Air Task Force
Forest Succession, Management And The Economy Under A Changing Climate: Coupling Economic And Forest Management Models To Assess Impacts And Adaptation Options - Thomas Ochuodho, University of Kentucky
The Application Of Resilience In Forest Research: Persistence, Recovery, And Adaptability - Bryan Murray, Oklahoma State University
Promoting Climate-Smart and Resilient Forestry in the Southern United States - Puskar Khanal, Clemson University
Forest Carbon Markets: Extension Programs and Resources - Melissa Kreye, Pennsylvania State University
Storing More Carbon in Forests through Improved Forest Management: a New England Case Study - Ethan Belair, The Nature Conservancy & Colleen Ryan, New England Forestry Foundation
A Decision Support Tool for Climate-Adapted Seed Transfer - Joseph Stewart, UC Davis
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Impacts of Unpredictable Climate Patterns on Commercial Maple Syrup Production
Open to view video. | 24 minutes
Open to view video. | 24 minutes
Climate change has led to unpredictable winter thaws and spring temperatures in traditional maple syrup production regions. This presentation will discuss the challenges an unpredictable climate places on the commercial production of maple syrup. It will also present the 2018 results of the Cornell Maple Program’s investigation into the timing of tapping impact on commercial maple and birch syrup production. Unpredictable weather patterns and increased numbers of taps have required maple syrup producers to tap trees earlier than traditional dates and this may have negative effects on late season sap flow. Presented by Joseph Orefice, Yale University at the 2018 SAF National Convention in Portland, OR.
Assessing Tools to Quantify Health Impacts and Economic Value of Using Wood Biomass as a Renewable Energy Source
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
Fuels-reduction treatment such as mechanical thinnings that extracts small diameter wood reduce fuel load and subsequent fire intensity. Utilizing small diameter wood from the fuels-reduction treatments as a renewable energy source, presents an opportunity to offset treatment costs and enhance forest health, environmental quality, and local economies. By calculating the negative or adverse effects (referred to as damages) on human health and the environment caused by electricity production, we determined the benefits of using woody biomass as a renewable energy resource in Arizona. Additionally, we conducted a literature review of various approaches to quantify impacts from greenhouse gases, VOC’s, and fine particulate matter on human health within the energy sector and determined the optimal methods of monetizing avoided damages. Our review aimed to answer two questions: 1) What are optimal temporal and spatial scales when performing human health benefit assessments of emission reductions associated with renewable energy policy scenarios?, and 2) How to standardize approaches of monetizing avoided damages resulting from emission reductions to better compare results between studies? Common tools utilized to model environmental, health, and economic impacts are BenMap-CE, CMAQ, COBRA, and APEEP that can help estimate the health and environmental costs of power generation with respect to types and amount of air pollutants and population size. The results will permit us to assess limitations of commonly used methods, evaluate economic value and health burden of pollutant emissions associated with electricity production, and present the value of woody biomass energy in Arizona. Presented by McKenna Hedgepeth, Northern Arizona University School of Forestry, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Berea College Forest Carbon Project: Lessons Learned from a Southern Mixed Hardwood Forest
Open to view video. | 26 minutes
Open to view video. | 26 minutes
Not far from this SAF Convention, on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau in central Kentucky, one of the oldest college forests in the country has undertaken an improved forest management project to store carbon and generate offset credits. The Berea College Forest, most of which was acquired in 1898, rebounded from widespread clearing and intensive agriculture in the 19th Century and now consists of a diverse and well-stocked mix of forest types, dominated by southern mixed hardwood species: oak, hickory, sugar maple and yellow poplar. This presentation, co-presented by New Forests and Berea College, will present a case study of the forest carbon project, which has been underway since 2015. The presenters will discuss the challenges and lessons learned from the project to date, including verifying property boundaries from century-old title documents, developing height-diameter regressions and comparing those estimates to measured heights in dense canopy conditions, and how the carbon project fits within the College’s ongoing forest management operations. Using the Berea College Forest as a case study, this presentation is intended to help inform others who might seek to develop a carbon project in similar forest types, or for those simply interested in learning more about Berea College's forest and the development of a carbon offset project there. Presented by Emily Warms, Forest Carbon Partners, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Determining Land Use Changes for Biopower Generation in the Southeastern US under Various Policy Incentives
Open to view video. | 20 minutes
Open to view video. | 20 minutes
Ensuring the highest and best use of vast forest and agricultural land is important for the landowners in the southeastern (SE) region in the United States. Since biopower has gained considerable attention in recent years, land use issues regarding bioenergy production are becoming increasingly important. In this study, we have analyzed the impact of direct and indirect land use changes on the overall carbon balance in three states—Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina—when the various percentage of total coal consumption for electricity generation in the region is subsequently replaced with bioenergy feedstocks. Using a fixed supply spatial equilibrium model, we have estimated the optimal land allocation of major bioenergy crops grown in the region, and its impact on carbon balance, relative to various economic incentives. Initial study suggests that imposing a carbon tax on electricity generation can significantly change future land use as the imposed tax would make biomass competitive against coal, thereby resulting in a situation where more land would move into the production of bioenergy crops. The result of this study can feed into policymaking regarding the sustainable utilization of bioenergy feedstocks for electricity generation in the SE United States. Presented by Md Farhad Hossain Masum, University of Georgia, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Generating Electricity from Eucalyptus Clones in Colombia
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
People residing in rural northeastern Colombia are using diesel for meeting their demand for electricity. Wood-based electricity could provide a cheaper and carbon-friendly alternative. Using regional yield and cost data, we compared wood-based electricity production from nine clones of eucalyptus relative to electricity derived from coal and diesel. Electricity from all clones was less carbon intensive than both coal and diesel-based electricity by at least 83% and 73%, respectively on average. The unit cost of wood-based electricity was lower than diesel ($280 MWh-1) but higher than coal ($95.1 MWh-1). Clone 5 was the cheapest ($104 MWh-1) and least carbon intensive (144 kg CO2e MWh-1) feedstock for electricity while the control clone was the most expensive ($120 MWh-1) and most carbon intensive (191 kg CO2e MWh-1). The difference in specific density and calorific value of these clones played an important role in the carbon intensity and cost of generated electricity. Replacing coal-based electricity with biomass will require a minimum carbon tax of $9 Mg CO2e-1 while replacing diesel-based electricity will require a carbon credit of $306 Mg CO2e-1. Our study will help in promoting bio-economy in Colombia, which is exploring ways for boosting rural economies. Presented by Md Farhad Hossain Masum, University of Georgia, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Economics of Intercropping Loblolly Pine and Oil-Seed Crops for Bio-Jet Fuel in the U.S. South
Open to view video. | 17 minutes
Open to view video. | 17 minutes
Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations cover 13.9 million hectares of land in the southern United States (US). This land could be potentially used for intercropping oilseed crops like carinata (Brassica carinata) and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) before canopy closure. The oil obtained from these oilseed crops could be used for manufacturing bio-jet fuel and other commercially valuable products for reducing the carbon footprint of the aviation and other sectors. This study determines the profitability for three scenarios: only loblolly pine (baseline), loblolly pine with carinata (alternate years for first eight years), and loblolly with carinata and white lupin rotated consecutively for the first eight years. We used the standard Faustmann approach for ascertaining land expectation value (LEV) for three site indices (average dominant height at the 25th year of plantation) of 15.3m, 18.3m, and 21.3m. Findings suggested that intercropping would be a profitable option at the selected site indices. For site index 21.3m, the LEV of loblolly pine monoculture was $2,808/ha at a 22-years rotation at 5% real interest rate. Furthermore, intercropping with carinata only and both carinata and white lupin yielded LEVs of $5080/ha at 21-years and $5890/ha at 20-years rotation at 5% real interest rate. This study clearly indicates that intercropping could yield higher profits to forest landowners in the southern United States. More research is needed for ascertaining the impact of intercropping carinata and white lupin on the growth and yield of loblolly pine before intercropping is promoted to the southern forest landowners. Presented by Hosne Akter, University of Georgia, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Nutrient Removal in Shrub Willow Biomass and Long-Term Impacts in Soil Nutrient Concentration
Open to view video. | 28 minutes
Open to view video. | 28 minutes
The pressing need to mitigate climate change and find alternative uses for marginal agricultural land have stimulated the establishment of short rotation woody crops (SRWC), like shrub willow, in both North America and Europe. There is limited research on the dynamics of nutrient removal over several rotations in these systems and little is known about the long-term impacts on soil nutrient concentrations. This study compared nutrient removals in harvested willow biomass crops and the soil nutrient concentration in two sites in New York State for 18 cultivars across three 3-year rotations. Nutrient removal was statistically different among rotations for all studied elements in the following order 2011 ≤ 2017 < 2014. For example, K removal was 7 kg ha-1 year-1 in 2011, 14 kg ha‑1 year-1 in 2017, and 20 kg ha-1 year-1 in 2014 at the Belleville site. Additionally, significant effects of site (for N and Ca) and cultivar (all elements) were observed. Across sites, significant differences in soil concentrations between years were observed for N (1769 g kg-1 in 2008 and 1591 g kg-1 in 2017), P (4 g kg-1 in 2008 and 2 g kg-1 in 2017), and Al (46 g kg-1 in 2008 and 62 g kg-1 in 2017). These results show that shrub willow crops are capable of recycling nutrients effectively and preserving the reserves of extractable nutrients over a 10 years period. However, future applications of N and P might be required to avoid nutrient deficiencies and to support the crop’s requirements and yield. Presented by Daniel de Souza, SUNY-ESF, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Potential Economic Impacts of Allocating More Land for Bioenergy Biomass Production in Virginia
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
The growing attention for more renewable energy and rural development has created greater demand for production of biomass feedstock for bioenergy. But, forest growth rates and amount of land in most of the existing forests may not be sufficient to sustainably supply forest biomass demand required to support existing forest products industries and the expanding bioenergy industry. Concerns about agricultural land use competition has dampened expansion of biomass production on agricultural land base. Allocating currently marginal non-forested land for growing bioenergy feedstocks, may meet growing forest biomass feedstock demand for bioenergy production. In Virginia, about 80% of forestland are under nonindustrial private forest ownership. The land use allocation decisions of these private owners are critical for supply of forest biomass feedstock to support bioenergy production. We apply computable general equilibrium model to assess economy-wide impacts of forestland owners' willingness to plant pine on non-forested land for woody bioenergy in Virginia. We consider three counterfactual scenarios of biomass feedstock supply increase as intermediate demand for bioenergy production based on forestland owners’ willingness-to-accept biomass bid prices to set aside more non-forested land for biomass production in Virginia under general equilibrium condition. Overall, results show increase in social welfare and household utility but marginal decline in GDP. However, increased demand of biomass from logging sector depressed the manufacturing sector (wood manufacturing sub-sectors particularly), which also relies on logging sector for its intermediate inputs. Results from this study provide insights into the bioenergy land use competition debate, and pathways towards sustainable bioenergy feedstock supply. Presented by Thomas Ochuodho, University of Kentucky, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
The Interrelationship of Climate, Markets, and Wildfire on Forest Carbon Projections for the United States
Open to view video. | 23 minutes
Open to view video. | 23 minutes
As of 2017, 185 countries had ratified the Paris Agreement identifying their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to curb carbon dioxide emissions and keep global temperature rise this century below 2 degrees Celsius. Forest can play a key role in these NDCs functioning as sinks sequestering carbon dioxide thus offsetting emissions in other sectors. In the U.S. the forestry sink has averaged approximately 12% of gross emissions since the turn of the century yet uncertainty exists in the future of the forestry sink. Two sources of uncertainty in forest carbon projections relate to future wildfire frequency and intensity and macroeconomic conditions. This study will examine the effects of a changing climate and economy on future wildfire risk and forest carbon loss. To accomplish this, we employ the Land Use and Resource Allocation (LURA) Modeling system integrated with a statistical model linking wildfire risk to climate parameters and intensity related to biomass stocks for a combination of Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). LURA captures the complex interactions between forest markets, growth, removals, and wildfire over time within a spatial equilibrium context allowing wildfire risk and forest loss maps to be generated. We generate results for the 2018-2050 time period for nine RCP-SSP scenarios. For each scenario, figures and maps showing historic and scenario-specific forest carbon accounts highlight the spatial and temporal interrelationship of climate, markets, and wildfire. A better understanding of the range of potential forest futures will help improve the efficacy of forest policy and management decisions. Presented by Raju Pokharel, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, at the 2019 SAF National Convention, Louisville, KY.
Economics of Carbon Sequestration Potential and Pricing in the Forests of Georgia, USA
Open to view video. | 23 minutes
Open to view video. | 23 minutes
Georgia emitted around two percent of the total national greenhouse gas emissions in 2016 (US Energy Information Administration 2018), indicating an urgent need for lowering atmospheric carbon emissions to reduce the adverse effects of climate change. The state’s 24.7 million acres of forestland account for roughly 65% of the total land area and provide immense opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas carbon emissions at the state level, while supporting jobs, and maintaining ecosystem services like water quality, biodiversity, and recreation. Current estimates suggest that the total carbon sequestered in Georgia’s forestlands is about 1.8 billion tons, out of which 51.2% is stored in soils, and remaining is stored in various aboveground carbon pools. However, current information on the economics of the potential solutions and magnitude of their impacts overtime on the total carbon savings is not known in Georgia. This study performs a stand-level economic analysis for determining the cost of stand carbon stored on forestlands present in five regions of Georgia, as well as the carbon stored in wood products and landfill post-harvest. Growth and yield modeling will be used to determine the trajectory of carbon stored in major forest types across five regions of Georgia (Southeast, Southwest, Central, North-Central, and North). When combined with data on current market prices for inputs, a per-unit price of carbon will be computed for each region and forest type. The understanding of the economics of carbon stored in stands will help us in assessing the cost-competitiveness of Georgia’s forestlands in mitigating carbon emissions with respect to other competitive mitigation technologies. Presented by Madisen Fuller, University of Georgia at the 2020 SAF Virtual Convention.
Is Forest Management Carbon Neutral? A Life Cycle Inventory and Analysis of a Harvesting Operation
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
Until a fundamental change to the energy infrastructure is made, the most responsible thing we can do as forest landowners and managers to combat climate change is reduce the emissions produced from forest management activities. Before that reduction can occur, a quantified baseline for the CO2eq emissions should be measured. LCIA is a useful tool to ensure that no source of emission in a product’s lifecycle is overlooked, and that a “reduction” in CO2eq is truly a reduction and not a shift of emissions from one stage of the process to another. This case study, from the Adirondack region of New York, is a detailed collection of the CO2eq produced from all stages in the extraction process of wood products, from the manufacturing of the equipment to the transportation to the markets. The results will highlight the total consumption of all fossil fuel products used during the process of felling and skidding trees, chipping or slashing stems to meet market specifications, and transporting chips and roundwood to their respective markets was measured for all equipment. The calculation of CO2eq emissions on a functional unit basis was completed by documenting skid distances from stump to the landing, and the travel distances from the forest to the mills. The results will include a point and range estimate for the total CO2eq emitted per MBF-miles for roundwood, and tons-miles for clean chips. We hope that the estimates provided by this cradle-to-gate analysis can be used as the starting point for gate-to-grave analyses that will have comparably high resolutions. By setting the system boundary before the mill, we are capitalizing on our expertise of forest operations; providing higher resolution than those without a deep understanding of operations, and results that have wider applicability. Presented by Joshua Weyrens, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at the 2020 SAF Virtual Convention.
Perceptions of Climate Change Adaptation among Forest Land Managers and Small Woodlot Owners
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
Forest resource stakeholders are a heterogeneous group with varied needs and perceptions, complex decision-making processes, and multiple management objectives. It is important to understand these differences when designing outreach and communication strategies that aim to increase climate change adaptation among diverse stakeholder groups. We conducted an online survey of two forestry groups in Maine, U.S. using gatekeepers from large stakeholder organizations, including The Cooperative Forestry Research Unit and Maine Woodland Owners. We classified the two groups as (1) industry professionals who are primarily land managers and (2) small woodlot owners, to understand similarities and differences in their risk perceptions of climate change, socio-cultural influences, information sources, self-efficacy to adaptation, barriers and incentives to adaptation, and forest management strategies. We found that both stakeholder groups perceived climate change as a risk to them personally, and that complexity of information was a barrier to climate change adaptation. However, small woodlot owners have less knowledge of adaptation strategies and higher biospheric values (i.e. concern for the environment) compared to industrial forest land managers. Small woodlot owners also perceive lack of access to information as a barrier to decision-making. Incentives for adapting to climate change also differ between groups – with industrial land managers favoring social licensing and small woodlot owners favoring microgrants and tax breaks. Implications for increasing adaptation strategies include working to raise small woodlot owners’ perceived adaptive capacity and designing incentives that differentially target stakeholder groups based on perceived barriers. Given the large diversity of stakeholders and climate change impacts in Maine, this research may be applicable to other regions where the forest industry is composed of a variety of stakeholders representing industry and small woodlot owners. Presented by Alyssa Soucy, University of Maine at the 2020 SAF Virtual Convention.
Replacing Georgia’s Coal-based Electricity with Biopower: An Environmental and Economic Assessment
Open to view video. | 27 minutes
Open to view video. | 27 minutes
We developed a market-clearing price-exogenous linear optimization model for 30 years, maximizing landowners’ revenue and minimizing the cost of timber sourcing and allocation to satisfy both traditional timber demand in six states (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, and TN) and additional bioenergy demand to replace coal in the power plants in Georgia. We used FIA unit level yield, demand, and price information and developed three scenarios—Baseline (traditional timber demand and no coal replacement); Scenario 1 (traditional demand and 100% coal replacement by pulpwood only); and Scenario 2 (traditional demand and 100% coal replacement by pulpwood and logging residues). Maximum welfare was obtained in Scenario 1; however, it would require approximately 879 thousand acres of additional annual timberland harvested compared to the Baseline. Scenario 2 had the second-highest maximum welfare, where about 70 thousand additional acres can satisfy both traditional and bioenergy demand, compared to Baseline. States can fulfill over 90% of their softwood poletimber and sawtimber demand from within the state, in every scenario, mostly from planted softwood. However, in the Baseline, approximately 3.4 million green tons of hardwood would be annually transported between states, on average. In Scenario 1, Georgia would have to import 4.73 million green tons of pulpwood annually. In Scenario 2, logging residue would provide 82% of biomass required to replace coal. About 94% and 31% of pulpwood and logging residue, respectively, would be sourced from Georgia. Net carbon benefit after 30 years, changes in the carbon in stand and carbon savings via coal replacement combined, was highest in Scenario 2. This article will feed into bioenergy policies for ensuring the best economic and environmental outcomes for forests and forest landowners in the Southern United States. Presented by Md Farhad Hossain Masum, University of Georgia at the 2020 SAF Virtual Convention.
Understanding Climate Change Resiliency of South-Central Transitional Ecotone in US
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
Open to view video. | 29 minutes
The forest-grassland ecotone in the southcentral US is the tension zone between two major biomes and provides a number of important ecosystem services. Active management in the region using prescribed fire, forest thinning/harvesting, grazing, and herbicides can optimize desired benefits for landowners with a variety of management objectives. However, periodic severe droughts that plague this area and increasing climate variability will profoundly affect the productivity, resilience, and stability of ecosystems. We aim to facilitate the sustainable management of the forest-grassland ecotone for different combinations of objectives such as timber, grazing, and wildlife habitat based on recent conditions and to adapt management to mitigate the negative effects of future drought and potential climate change. To this end, we are assessing the value of timber, cattle forage, and deer habitat. The preliminary findings from the survey suggest that landowners’ most important land management objectives include livestock production, land investment, and wildlife management. Their willingness to pay for a deer habitat that provides an opportunity to see one additional deer is around 8 dollars. The most preferred source of information to learn active management in forest and rangeland include government agencies and the fact sheets. Tailoring research findings with the appropriate outreach materials will help educate traditional and non-traditional forest stewards in the region. Presented by Bijesh Mishra, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater, OK at the 2020 SAF Virtual Convention.
Using Physiological Parameters to Refine Estimates of Populus Performance and Productivity at Contrasting Sites
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
Due to variability in site and environmental conditions, it can be difficult to select highly productive bioenergy varietals for broad applicability based on growth alone. Therefore, the goals of this research were to incorporate physiological characteristics with growth estimates in eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and hybrid poplar taxa at an upland and alluvial site to provide a holistic approach for assessing suitability of varietals for specific site conditions. We also sought to determine the effect of inoculation with endophytic bacteria on growth and physiological metrics. We established trials in an upland and alluvial site in central Mississippi with three eastern cottonwood varietals (ST66, S7C8, 110412) and three hybrid poplar varietals (8019, 5077, 6329) and inoculated half with endophytic bacteria. We measured gas exchange, leaf nutrients, stable isotopes and growth in the first growing season and installed sapflow sensors to estimate seasonal water use in the second growing season. Trees were harvested and biomass estimated after the second growing season. We found that hybrid poplars exhibited greater growth and lower water stress than eastern cottonwoods at the upland site, whereas eastern cottonwoods had higher growth and higher nitrogen uptake than hybrid poplars at the alluvial site. Across varietals, we found that growth at the upland site responded more to water use and growth at the alluvial site responded more to nitrogen uptake. We found that the endophyte treatment had little effect during the first growing season, but increased photosynthetic capacity and affected seasonal water use during the second growing season. Overall, hybrid poplar 8019 had the greatest two year aboveground dry biomass at the upland site (averaging 9.5 kg per tree), and eastern cottonwood S7C8 had the greatest two year biomass at the alluvial site (averaging 4.3 kg per tree) suggesting significant growth potential particularly for hybrid poplars at upland sites. Presented by Heidi Renninger, Mississippi State University at the 2020 SAF Virtual Convention.
Wood Bioenergy for Rural Energy Resilience: Suitable Site Selection and Potential Economic Impacts in Kentucky
Open to view video. | 31 minutes
Open to view video. | 31 minutes
Kentucky’s forest industry generates a tremendous amount of waste products, which have few reliable market outlets and can present significant economic burden. These residuals could potentially be utilized as bioenergy feedstocks, contributing to reduced overhead costs for industry and/or small-scale electricity production. Feasibility of bioenergy production is tightly constrained by transportation costs, processing costs, and markets, both alternative markets for wood residuals and energy markets; therefore, intentional spatial and economic analyses are necessary to characterize spatial and economic parameters for which bioenergy production from wood residuals may be economically feasible. The objective of this study was to identify suitable priority sites for bioenergy production and assess its potential economic impacts. This objective was implemented in two steps. First, the study identifies priority rural counties in Eastern Kentucky Appalachian region for establishment of small-scale wood-residual-fired combined heat and power (CHP), based on proximity to forest industry facilities generating residuals, as well as critical infrastructure requiring reliable long-term electricity supply. This was followed by spatial analysis of the identified sites for potential establishment of wood-residuals-fired CHP plants based on proximity to both critical infrastructure locations requiring energy resilience and residuals feedstock supply. Second, potential economy-wide impacts was assessed based on the feasible sites selected and quantity of potential biomass that could be regenerated. Results indicate that household welfare increases with increased intermediate demand of biomass for CHP and increased tariff rates on non-bioenergy-sourced electricity. However, this benefit tended to tilt more towards medium and high income households. Presented by Thomas Ochuodho, University of Kentucky at the 2020 SAF Virtual Convention.
Carbon Market Access for Small Woodland Owners: A Case Study of the Raincloud Tree Farm
Open to view video. | 11 minutes
Open to view video. | 11 minutes
Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change. There is emerging consensus among scientists, policy makers, and business leaders that increasing carbon storage in forests is one of the most effective strategies for reducing net CO2 emissions and limiting global average temperature increases to less than 2 °C, an explicit aim of the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement. In just the past few years, nations, states, and large corporations—Microsoft, Google, Delta, BP, Amazon, and many others—have pledged to reach net-zero or even net-negative CO2 emissions by 2050 or sooner. Carbon Offset Credits generated by improved forest management on private forests in the US are an important tool to help increase carbon storage in forests and reach these net-zero goals. Families and individuals combined own 38% of forested land in the US. Traditionally, these landowners with less than 5,000 acres have been prohibited from participating in carbon offset markets by high project development costs and other barriers to entry. Forest Carbon Works (FCW) is a Public Benefit Company that distills the complex processes for developing a carbon project into a simple membership service, creating easy access to the carbon market for small woodland owners throughout the US. An offshoot of EP Carbon—a carbon-project development firm that has been working globally for the past 12 years—FCW brings carbon projects to market under the Compliance Offset Protocol for US Forest Projects established by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) as part of California’s cap-and-trade legislation. In this presentation we provide a Case Study of the smallest-acreage carbon project currently verified under the ARB protocol: the 120-acre Raincloud Tree Farm near Portland, Oregon. Owned by the Stewart Family since 1892, Raincloud Tree Farm is now helping meet global CO2 reduction goals and generating carbon revenues for the Stewart Family. Presented by Sarah Ford from Forest Carbon Works at the 2021 SAF Virtual Convention.
Designing A Field Inventory for Large-Scale Annualized Forest Carbon Monitoring
Open to view video. | 12 minutes
Open to view video. | 12 minutes
We designed an inventory sample to credibly represent properties from more than 110 individual landowners in 10 states in the southeastern US for a carbon methodology. This sample was informed by a robust statistical and conceptual approach. We used a Bayesian modelling framework to leverage a remote-sensing based, high-resolution estimate of forest carbon to inform a sample design and a subsequent modelled estimate of standing carbon. This allowed is to efficiently design a sample of a population of properties across the southeastern United States, ranging in size from fewer than 50 to over 150,000 acres. Challenges of designing and implementing the field sample, as well as the process of working up the carbon estimates from field data in combination with remote sensing data, will be discussed. This presentation will cover lessons learned ranging from the boots-on-the-ground field operations to the high-level statistical nuances of the design and estimation processes. We will highlight the strengths and efficiencies gained from combining remote sensing data with traditional field mensuration. Presented by Nan Pond from NCX at the 2021 SAF Virtual Convention.
Effects of Stand Density on Carbon Dynamics in Shortleaf Pine and Upland Oak Forests
Open to view video. | 15 minutes
Open to view video. | 15 minutes
Forests play a critical role in the terrestrial carbon cycle by sequestering and storing carbon from the atmosphere as biomass. In Missouri, shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and oaks (Quercus spp.) are abundant species in upland habitats, but differences in their growth and form result in differences in stand structure-growing space relationships between the two forest types. We used two long-term forest thinning studies (one established in shortleaf pine stands and the other established in oak stands) to examine carbon dynamics (sequestration and storage) in relation to stand density at the USDA Forest Service Sinkin Experimental Forest in the Missouri Ozarks. Both studies were established in the 1950s and used forest thinning to manipulate stand density, although the specific study designs differed. The studies were measured on approximately 5-year intervals from their establishment through the present. For both forest types, standing carbon was greatest in the unthinned control treatments, and individual tree carbon storage was greatest in the lowest density stands. Although the unthinned stands differed in basal area between the two forest types, with nearly 40 m2/ha in the shortleaf pine stands and less than 30 m2/ha in the upland oak stands, the total carbon produced was similar. Throughout the >50-year study period, stand-level carbon sequestration was greatest for thinning treatments that maintained fully stocked stands (exceeding that of overstocked and understocked stands). These results highlight the role of silviculture in reaching multiple stand objectives, including managing for carbon objectives as well as individual-tree growth for commodity production. Presented by Benjamin Knapp from University of Missouri at the 2021 SAF Virtual Convention.
Exploring Carbon Market Opportunities for Forest Owners
Open to view video. | 13 minutes
Open to view video. | 13 minutes
Private forests in the United States provide many important social and ecological benefits including carbon sequestration services, which are among the portfolio of options for climate change mitigation. However, most of the existing carbon market programs are cap-and-trade opportunities and are better suited for industrial forestry. This project seeks to explore and evaluate emerging carbon offset projects and practice-based programs that offer opportunities for non-industrial forest owners to participate in the carbon economy. This project seeks to develop a science-based interactive decision-making tool for forest owners to help them better assess existing forest carbon market programs and identify which programs can help meet their needs and preferences. The project was funded and conducted in collaboration with the Forest Landowners Association and Pennsylvania State University. Tool development will occur in the summer of 2021 and include a systematic review of stated preferences research literature and benefit transfer procedures to capture variation in forest owners’ preferences for engaging in carbon markets. A catalog of existing forest carbon markets and programs in the US will also be compiled and merged with the meta-analysis model to create the decision-making tool. To test and understand the impact of the tool on owners’ choices, volunteers will be asked to provide their feedback via a web survey. We expect to develop an impactful decision-making tool that will support forest owner’s choices for carbon market programs. The project will also help advance extension and outreach activities that help owners make more informed decisions. Our findings may also be useful for advancing new types of carbon markets and offset projects that are better suited for a wider category of forest owners. Keywords: Carbon Sequestration, decision-making, meta-analysis, carbon markets. Presented by Sadikshya Sharma from Pennsylvania State University at the 2021 SAF Virtual Convention.
Impact of Intensively Managed Plantation Rotation Length on Global Carbon Budget
Open to view video. | 14 minutes
Open to view video. | 14 minutes
Recent research has highlighted the carbon storage and emissions reduction potential of building with sustainably produced wood and soon plantation forests will soon provide the majority of global roundwood. These plantation forests are typically managed on even age rotation, and the length of rotation impacts the overall carbon benefit of building with wood. Historically, rotation length was optimized for long-term timber volume production determined by the stand age when mean annual increment of volume growth (MAI) and periodic annual increment (PAI) were equal to each other, referred to as the biological rotation age. However, today managers typically favor an economically optimal rotation length which discounts costs and revenues to present value by a chosen discount rate. Following the economically optimal rotation length results in a rotation that is shorter than the biologically optimal rotation length and may result in less timber fiber production in the absence of rapid genetic and/or silvicultural advances. However, carbon credit markets provide an alternative revenue source that could incentivize longer rotation lengths. Longer, biologically optimal rotation length, are likely to store more carbon in the forest and in long lived forest products. The objectives of this study are to estimate the potential global net carbon benefit of shifting four globally important production plantations systems to biologically optimal rotation ages and estimating the carbon price necessary to make the longer rotations competitive on an investment basis for a range of discount rates. Presented by Austin Himes from Mississippi State University at the 2021 SAF Virtual Convention.
Management Influences Aboveground Forest Carbon Storage and Sequestration in Mature Oak Forests: 38 Year Results
Open to view video. | 16 minutes
Open to view video. | 16 minutes
The influence of active forest management on forest carbon is little known for mature oak forests in southern New England. Three study areas each with six forest management practices were established in Connecticut in the early 1980s: uncut forest preserves (UNCUT), silvicultural clearcutting (SILVCC), shelterwood with final overstory removal (SHELT), multi-aged crop tree/coppice with standards (COPPICE), diameter limit (DIAMLT), and commercial clearcut/high-grading harvests (COMMCC). Permanently numbered trees on 10-factor prism plots were measured prior to initial harvests in 1982-84, before harvests in 2000, in 2001, in 2011, and again in 2020. Plots initially averaged 35 tons aboveground carbon per acre (TCA). Annual carbon accumulation decreased from 0.5 TCA between 1982-2000, to 0.3 TCA between 2000-2011, before declining to -0.2 TCA between 2011-2020. For the same periods, accumulation was 0.2, 1.6, and 0.8 TCA on SILVCC plots. For other treatments, annual carbon accumulation increased from 0.6-0.8 TCA between 1982-2000 to 0.7-1.0 TCA between 2011-2020. With the assumption that 30% of carbon in sawtimber trees (> 11 inches diameter) was processed in lumber and hence in long-term sequestration, sequestered carbon (lumber + alive aboveground) was higher in 2020 following all treatments except SHELT. However, because there was a lag of 20-years before significant TCA increases after SILVCC treatment, we anticipated future rapid accumulation on SHELT plots. This study found that active management practices can provide valuable forest products while maintaining or increasing carbon sequestration and storage. Management also provides the opportunity to create climate resilient forests with enhanced wildlife habitat. Presented by Jeffrey Ward from The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at the 2021 SAF Virtual Convention.
Temporal Trends in Water Table Depth for the Conterminous United States Over Three Decades
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
Open to view video. | 25 minutes
The subtle equilibrium between supply and demand of freshwater is constantly changing due to anthropogenic activities and shifts in land use and climate patterns. Freshwater resources are crucial for food and water security, and the sustainability of natural and managed systems. Research has emphasized quantifying the current volume and spatial-temporal changes of freshwater reservoirs, primarily focusing on surface waters (e.g., rivers and lakes) and soil moisture. However, the spatial-temporal properties of groundwater are often overlooked, despite these subsurface reservoirs being tightly linked to aboveground processes. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to create water table depth maps with prediction uncertainty for the United States (U.S.), and assess the spatial-temporal changes since 1989. To do this, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN) water table depth data were paired with climate data from Daymet and terrain variables. Interpolated maps and uncertainty were created by combining newer modeling techniques (i.e., stochastic gradient boosted regression trees) with traditional interpolation methods (i.e., Kriging). In general, the water table depth is shallower in the eastern United States, as compared to western United States, except for high elevation locals which consistently had deeper water tables. The overall average change in depth to water table for the conterminous U.S. was ~ -1m over the last few decades, indicating that on average the water is getting deeper. The magnitude of this change varied by location. Predictions indicate that the water table has gotten deeper in a significant portion of the southeastern U.S., California Central Valley, High Plains area, and the midwestern U.S., which also coincide with largely agricultural and forest plantation areas. These results highlight current “hotspots” of possible depletion to focus water management efforts. Presented by Holly Munro from University of Georgia at the 2021 SAF Virtual Convention.
Leveraging Carbon Markets for Forest Health and Productivity
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 20 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 20 minutes
We review three novel carbon programs that incentivize active forest management, including: Avoided Wildfire Emissions, which incentivizes fuel treatments that reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire; Biochar, which rewards the use of waste biomass to produce a carbon stable product; and Reforestation, which promotes the restoration of burn sites. Presented by Marissa Spence, Climate Action Reserve at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.
Landowner Willingness to Accept (WTA) Payments for Carbon Sequestration in the USA: A Meta-Analysis
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 28 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 28 minutes
Key Points: 1. Reviewed research literature assessing forest owner preferences for carbon payment programs, 2. Significant variation in forest owner WTA as a function of contract length, forest acres, and management plan and restrictions requirements, 3. Average annual per-acre payment values were lowest for conservation-oriented forest owners. Presented by Sadikshya Sharma, Pennsylvania State University at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.
IFM Carbon Accounting: Using FIA Data and Nearest Neighbor Matching to Create Dynamic Baselines
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 20 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 20 minutes
This presentation will discuss the ongoing "Billion Ton" research (the next report is expected in 2023) and give an opportunity for the SAF community to ask questions and provide feedback as we prepare various cropping and pricing scenarios, including biomass resources from forestlands and short rotation woody crops. Presented by Ethan Belair, The Nature Conservancy at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.
Identifying Optimal Locations For Hardwood CLT Plants In Tennessee: Application Of Spatially Explicit Framework
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 21 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 21 minutes
Even though mass timber is gaining market share within the U.S. construction industry, the development so far has centered on softwood species. By focusing on supply chain considerations (roundwood supply, sawmill capacity, etc.), this study identifies optimal location for hardwood cross laminated timber (CLT) plants in Tennessee. Presented by Ram Adhikari, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.
Billion Tons of Biomass for Bioenergy: Next Assessment, SRWCs and Other Forest-based Biomass Opportunities
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 24 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 24 minutes
This presentation will discuss the ongoing "Billion Ton" research (the next report is expected in 2023) and give an opportunity for the SAF community to ask questions and provide feedback as we prepare various cropping and pricing scenarios, including biomass resources from forestlands and short rotation woody crops. Presented by Maggie Davis at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.
Carbon Offsets and Credits are Not the Best Way to Promote Carbon-Smart Forestry
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 30 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 30 minutes
Our presentation will review how forest carbon offset and crediting markets work. It will discuss how effective carbon offset and crediting programs must satisfy conditions that are unlikely to be achieved with forest projects. Alternative ways to promote carbon-smart forestry should be considered. Presented by Marc McDill, Penn State University, Department of Ecosystem Science and Mgmt at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.
Products, Management, and Institutions: a Systems Approach to Mitigating Climate Change with Forestry
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 25 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 25 minutes
Because forestry is embedded within complex biological, social, and economic systems, any approach to harnessing forests to address climate change must consider multiple aspects of these systems. This presentation will focus on three crucial arenas that impact forests’ effects on climate change: forest management, harvested wood products, and institutional change. Presented by Robert Alec Giffen, New England Forestry Foundation and Clean Air Task Force at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.
Forest Succession, Management and the Economy Under a Changing Climate: Coupling Economic and Forest Management Models To Assess Impacts and Adaptation Options
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 22 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 22 minutes
Climate change will affect successional dynamics of and the performance of plantations. A better understanding of how these factors will affect forests and economies and how we can best adapt is needed. Coupled economic-forest management model estimates impacts and adaptation on timber supply and economy in New Brunswick, Canada. Presented by Thomas Ochuodho, University of Kentucky at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.
The Application of Resilience in Forest Research: Persistence, Recovery, and Adaptability
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 26 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 26 minutes
Resilience is a core ecological concept that has evolved multiple meanings including persistence, recovery, and adaptability. We conducted a systematic literature review to understand how resilience is conceptualized in various contexts. How resilience was defined varied with region and disturbance type. Recovery and persistence were the most common resilience conceptualizations. Presented by Bryan Murray, Oklahoma State University at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.
Promoting Climate-Smart and Resilient Forestry in the Southern United States.
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 34 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 34 minutes
The climate of the Southeast is expected to see dramatic changes in the upcoming decades with direct and indirect effects on forest ecosystems. This project team of researchers and Extension specialists from four southern forestry schools plans to train forestry professionals and educators on climate-resilient forestry practices. Presented by Puskar Khanal, Clemson University at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.
Forest Carbon Markets: Extension Programs and Resources
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 19 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 19 minutes
Opportunities for forest owners to engage in climate change mitigation have increased due to the recent emergence of forest carbon market programs. At this talk, we will present an overview of the programs and resources provided by the FOCCE program and discuss opportunities for extension educators. Presented by Melissa Kreye, Pennsylvania State University at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.
Storing More Carbon in Forests through Improved Forest Management: A New England Case Study
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 26 minutes
Select the "View Video" button to begin. | 26 minutes
Private forestland will play a critical role in implementing natural climate solutions in the U.S. Here, we present a case study modeling the carbon impacts of implementing forest management that emphasizes wildlife habitat, carbon, and timber production as coequal goals on private timberland in New England. Presented by Ethan Belair, The Nature Conservancy and Colleen Ryan, New England Forestry Foundation at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.