Production dynamics of intensively managed loblolly pine stands in the southern United States: a synthesis of seven long-term experiments

Abstract Broad-scale estimates of coarse woody debris (CWD) yield across landscapes are somewhat rare, despite the importance of CWD in ecosystem functioning and its potential role in terrestrial carbon cycles. Yields of CWD were estimated at regional scales by linking a stand-level predictive model with regional forest inventory data for 11 states in the southern United States. We estimated that the accumulation of CWD in late-rotation loblolly pine plantations across the South totals 48.67 million metric tons of dry wood necromass, the carbon equivalent of 24.33 million metric tons. This represents annual CO2 emissions of 21 coal-fired power plants, or the amount of carbon sequestered each year in 7 million ha of pine forests. Confidence intervals for CWD dry weight per hectare generally did not exceed ±25% of the estimated values. Although county-level estimates were of higher uncertainty, the spatial pattern appeared to be relatively consistent with the extent of loblolly pine, with low yields near the extremes of the species' natural range and high yields in extensively forested portions of its range. Quantifying regional carbon stores of CWD with respect to stand-level management activities may improve accuracy of regional estimates and provide further insight into management effects on the carbon pool and the carbon cycle.

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Conservation Adoption Among Owners and Tenant Farmers in the Southern United States

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture9030053 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 53

Author(s):

Naveen Adusumilli ◽

Hua Wang

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Probit Model ◽

Early Years ◽

Southern United States ◽

Short Term ◽

Bivariate Probit Model ◽

Row Crop ◽

Tenant Farmers ◽

Conservation Adoption

This study investigates owner and tenant characteristics and differences between these two groups in their participation in federal conservation initiatives. Bivariate probit model analysis, based on a 2016–2017 Louisiana row-crop producer’s survey show that owners, relative to tenant farmers, are more likely to adopt conservation in early years of ownership. The results emphasize the need for mechanisms for tenants in short-term contracts to invest in long-term conservation. Moreover, conservation initiatives should be tailored, as tenant farmers are increasingly farming more land and policies should carefully account for this growing group of farmers.

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Anomalous Temperature Regimes during the Cool Season: Long-Term Trends, Low-Frequency Mode Modulation, and Representation in CMIP5 Simulations

Journal of Climate ◽

10.1175/jcli-d-13-00003.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (22) ◽

pp. 9061-9076 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Rebecca M. Westby ◽

Yun-Young Lee ◽

Robert X. Black

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Low Frequency ◽

The United States ◽

Cmip5 Models ◽

Southern United States ◽

Anomalous Temperature ◽

Temperature Regimes ◽

Collective Influence

Abstract During boreal winter, anomalous temperature regimes (ATRs), including cold air outbreaks (CAOs) and warm waves (WWs), provide important societal influences upon the United States. The current study analyzes reanalysis and model data for the period from 1949 to 2011 to assess (i) long-term variability in ATRs, (ii) interannual modulation of ATRs by low-frequency modes, and (iii) the representation of ATR behavior in models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). No significant trends in either WWs or CAOs are identified for the continental United States. On interannual time scales, CAOs are modulated by the (i) North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) over the U.S. Southeast and (ii) the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern over the Northwest. WW frequency is modulated by (i) the NAO over the eastern United States and (ii) the combined influence of the PNA, Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), and ENSO over the southern United States. In contrast to previous studies of seasonal-mean temperature, the influence of ENSO upon ATRs is found to be mainly limited to a modest modulation of WWs over the southern United States. Multiple linear regression analysis reveals that the regional collective influence of low-frequency modes accounts for as much as 50% of interannual ATR variability. Although similar behavior is observed in CMIP5 models, WW (CAO) frequency is typically overestimated (underestimated). All models considered are unable to replicate observed associations between ATRs and the PDO. Further, the collective influence of low-frequency modes upon ATRs is generally underestimated in CMIP5 models. The results indicate that predictions of future ATR behavior are limited by climate model ability to represent the evolving behavior of low-frequency modes of variability.

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Loblolly pine outperforms slash pine in the southeastern United States – A long-term experimental comparison study

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117532 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 450 ◽

pp. 117532 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Dehai Zhao ◽

Bronson P. Bullock ◽

Cristian R. Montes ◽

Mingliang Wang ◽

Dale Greene ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Loblolly Pine ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Slash Pine ◽

Experimental Comparison ◽

Comparison Study

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Preliminary evidence for an aversion to atheists in long-term mating domains in the Southern United States

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/02654075211045051 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026540752110450

Author(s):

Mitch Brown

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Southern United States ◽

Evolutionary Perspective ◽

Short Term ◽

Physically Attractive

The centrality of religiosity in selecting long-term mates suggests atheism could be undesirable for that context. Given recent findings suggesting several positive stereotypes about atheists, a largely distrusted group, individuals could prefer atheists in mating domains not emphasizing long-term commitment (i.e., short-term mating). Two studies tasked U.S. participants with evaluating long-term and short-term mating desirability of theists and atheists while assessing perceptions of their personalities. Study 1 indicated atheists were more desirable in short-term mating than long-term mating, though this preference did not translate to being preferred over theists. The pre-registered Study 2 demonstrated this effect is specific to physically attractive targets. Atheists were further perceived as more prone to infidelity, especially when attractive. Results are framed from an evolutionary perspective while discussing anti-atheist prejudice.

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Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Adults’ Experiences With Discrimination and Impacts on Expectations for Long-Term Care: Results of a Survey in the Southern United States

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/07334648211048189 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 073346482110481

Author(s):

Lexus Dickson ◽

Samuel Bunting ◽

Alexis Nanna ◽

Megan Taylor ◽

Mindi Spencer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Long Term Care ◽

The United States ◽

Southern United States ◽

Term Care ◽

Higher Educational Attainment

The number of older adults in the United States is projected to increase in coming years, including the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) older adults requiring long-term care (LTC) services. We conducted an online survey of older LGBTQ+ adults living in the Southern United States between January and March of 2018 to inquire about their anticipation of discrimination in and willingness to utilize LTC services. We found that 78.6% of respondents ( N = 789) anticipated discrimination in LTC. Previous experiences with discrimination, higher educational attainment, and queer/questioning sexual orientation were associated with greater expectation of discrimination. Higher anticipation of discrimination was also associated with a greater preference for utilizing LTC services offered by LGBTQ+ providers or for LGBTQ+ older adults. These findings suggest that LTC staff and researchers may be uniquely positioned to craft outreach and policies to protect LGBTQ+ LTC residents.

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Impacts of Climate Change on Economics of Forestry and Adaptation Strategies in the Southern United States

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics ◽

10.1017/s1074070800000778 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 257-272 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Andres Susaeta ◽

Douglas R. Carter ◽

Damian C. Adams

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

United States ◽

Loblolly Pine ◽

Slash Pine ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Species Selection ◽

Planting Density ◽

Southern United States ◽

Economic Returns ◽

Salvage Rate

This article analyzes the impacts of different levels of forest productivity scenarios, disturbance risk, and salvageable rates resulting from climate change on the economics of loblolly pine in the southern United States. Potential adaptation strategies examined include reduction in planting density and use of slash pine instead of loblolly pine. Economic returns are most sensitive to changes in disturbance risk and productivity changes as compared with the salvage rate, planting density, or species selection. Loblolly pine with low planting density economically outperforms high-density loblolly pine. Slash pine is generally a less viable option compared with loblolly pine in most cases.

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