scholarly journals Compounding the disturbance: Family forest owner reactions to invasive forest insects

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marla Markowski-Lindsay ◽  
Mark E. Borsuk ◽  
Brett J. Butler ◽  
Matthew J. Duveneck ◽  
Jonathan Holt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Forest Owner ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Ecosystem Impacts ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Adverse Impacts ◽  
Total Tree

AbstractInvasive forest insect and pathogens (FIP) are having significant, direct, adverse impacts. Interactions between FIPs and forest owners have the potential to create ecosystem impacts that compound direct impacts. We assessed family forest owners’ responses to numerous contingent behavior, FIP-outbreak scenarios in the northeastern U.S. based on FIP outbreak attributes. Sixty-two percent of scenario responses (n=2,752) reflected a harvest intent as a result of FIPs; 84% of respondents (n=688) would consider harvesting in at least one of the four hypothetical scenarios presented to them. Harvest intention increased with greater FIP-related tree mortality and decreased with delayed total tree mortality. Owners with larger holdings, who had previously harvested forest products, and live on their forestland had greater intentions to harvest in response to FIPs. Results suggest that FIPs could transform the regional harvest regime with socio-ecological impacts that are distinct from those caused by FIPs or harvesting alone.

scholarly journals Family Forest Owners’ Perception of Management and Thinning Operations in Young Dense Forests: A Survey from Sweden

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1151
Author(s):  
Thomas Kronholm ◽  
David Bengtsson ◽  
Dan Bergström
Keyword(s):  
Small Diameter ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Commercial Thinning ◽  
Thinning Operations ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

Family forest owners (FFOs) own 48% of Sweden’s productive forest land and are responsible for 59% of the annual gross felling. They are thus important suppliers of raw materials to the forest industry and the energy sector. Environmental goals on the national and international level promote an increased use of renewable resources in order to replace fossil-based fuels, but since the current supply of forest products is already fully utilized by the industry, there is a need to find new types of biomass assortment. One way to increase the biomass supply is to replace traditional pre-commercial thinning operations, where fallen stems are left in the forest to rot, with whole-tree harvesting of small-diameter trees using novel technologies and methods. This will however require willingness of the FFOs to shift their management practices. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to elucidate FFOs’ perceptions of management and thinning operations in young dense forests, identify if there are differences depending on their demographic backgrounds, and clarify which factors could potentially affect their willingness to implement whole-tree harvesting in young dense forests. Data were collected through a survey administered to a random sample of 842 FFOs, with a response rate of 53.4% (n = 450). The results show that FFOs in general are positive towards implementing whole-tree harvesting in young dense stands, and are often also willing to promote the development of suitable stands. Factors such as forest size, geographical location, distance from home to their forest, degree of self-employment and current need for cleaning were found to significantly affect their attitudes. The study highlights that the development of cost efficient harvesting techniques and working methods is important if the industry wants to increase the FFOs’ willingness to engage in whole-tree harvesting in young dense forest stands and thereby increase the supply of biomass.

scholarly journals Forest Farming: Who Wants In?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie E Trozzo ◽  
John F Munsell ◽  
James L Chamberlain ◽  
Michael A Gold ◽  
Kim L Niewolny
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Nontimber Forest Products ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Farming ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Study Results

Abstract Forest farming is an agroforestry practice defined as the intentional cultivation of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) underneath a forest canopy. Forest farming perspectives and preferences among family forest owners are generally understudied, particularly in Appalachia, where many marketable native NTFPs species are found. We surveyed Appalachian family forest owners in fourteen Southwest Virginia counties about their interest in forest farming and likelihood of leasing land for this purpose. We also asked about the owner’s residency and historical connection to the region as well as contemporary land uses, and identified the following types of uses: absentee and vacationers, newcomers, longtime farming residents, and longtime nonfarming residents. We mailed 1,040 surveys and 293 were returned (28.9%). Forty-five percent were interested or extremely interested in forest farming and 36% were likely or extremely likely to lease land. Rates of interest in forest farming and leasing were similar across owner types, suggesting broad appeal among family forest owners. Study Implications Forest farming of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) and leasing forestland for this practice is broadly appealing across diverse family forest owners in Appalachia. Opportunities to scale profitable forest farming are on the rise, potentially improving family forest management and spurring regional economic development. Study results indicate there is a critical mass of family forest owners interested in forest farming who could potentially supply cultivated NTFPs. Forest management professionals and stakeholders would benefit from considering how they can assist family forest owners who are interested in forest farming.

scholarly journals Family Forest Owner Management Decisions for Participants Enrolled in a Forest Property Taxation Program in Michigan

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Benjamin Schram ◽  
Karen Potter-Witter ◽  
Emily Huff ◽  
Jagdish Poudel
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Forest Owner ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Private Forests ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Property Taxation ◽  
Forest Practices

Family forest owners affect the ecosystem services that forests provide and, thus, their management decisions are of interest to the forestry sector. There are many programs available to help family forest owners reduce the management costs, some of which involve a reduced tax burden in exchange for active management. Research Highlights: this study is the first to examine the family forest owners enrolled in a statewide forest property taxation program in Michigan in order to understand how parcel characteristics affect management decisions. Background and Objectives: the goal is to understand the relationships between parcel characteristics and family forest owner management decisions for these program enrollees. Materials and Methods: a dataset of enrollment information was compiled and cleaned, which resulted in 20,915 unique forest stands in the state. Key variables analyzed via multinomial regression include stand condition, size, density, forest types, and forest practices. Results: region, forest type, and stand size significantly predicted forest practices. Conclusions: given that stand and parcel characteristics significantly predict forest practice, it may be useful to use these data, rather than self-reported management data from the owners themselves in order to understand future management trajectories of private forests. These data also describe forest practices of enrollees in a tax program, demonstrating that the program is successfully incentivizing management and shedding light on how these programs can promote conservation and stewardship of private forests.

scholarly journals Preferences for Northern Hardwood Silviculture among Family Forest Owners in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander C Helman ◽  
Matthew C Kelly ◽  
Mark D Rouleau ◽  
Yvette L Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Upper Peninsula ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection

Abstract Managing northern hardwood forests using high-frequency, low-intensity regimes, such as single-tree selection, favors shade-tolerant species and can reduce tree species diversity. Management decisions among family forest owners (FFO) can collectively affect species and structural diversity within northern hardwood forests at regional scales. We surveyed FFOs in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan to understand likely future use of three silvicultural treatments—single-tree selection, shelterwood, and clearcut. Our results indicate that FFOs were most likely to implement single-tree selection and least likely to implement clearcut within the next 10 years. According to logistic regression, prior use of a treatment and perceived financial benefits significantly increased the odds for likely use for all three treatments. Having received professional forestry assistance increased likely use of single-tree selection but decreased likely use of shelterwood. We discuss these results within the context of species diversity among northern hardwood forests throughout the region.

Family Forest Owners' Perceptions on Chemical Methods for Invasive Species Control

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Howle ◽  
Thomas J. Straka ◽  
Mathew C. Nespeca
Keyword(s):  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Chinese Privet ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Invasive Species Control ◽  
Multiple Treatments ◽  
Herbicide Use

AbstractFocus group methodology in a field demonstration setting was used to obtain qualitative data on the perceptions of family forest owners relating to treatment efficiency and feasibility of herbicide control methods. Interviews took place on sites where various strategic herbicide treatments were implemented for Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) control using the active ingredients glyphosate and metsulfuron. Forest owners expressed unease about the possibility for post-treatment privet reestablishment due to reseeding or other factors and opinions surfaced calling for selective chemicals or application methods that would spare non-target species. Furthermore, treatment cost effectiveness with regard to timber value, the possible need for expensive multiple treatments, cost-share incentives, and treatment guarantees from herbicide applicators were participant concerns. Environmental concerns surfaced about possible effects of both herbicide use and the invasion of privet on natural systems and an unexpected result was a strong feeling among the forest owners that focus groups are a powerful demonstration tool.

Methods for Increasing Cooperation Rates for Surveys of Family Forest Owners

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. Butler ◽  
Jaketon H. Hewes ◽  
Mary L. Tyrrell ◽  
Sarah M. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Family Forest

scholarly journals Biomass losses resulting from insect and disease invasions in US forests

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (35) ◽  
pp. 17371-17376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songlin Fei ◽  
Randall S. Morin ◽  
Christopher M. Oswalt ◽  
Andrew M. Liebhold
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Forest Pests ◽  
Ecosystem Impacts ◽  
Biomass Loss ◽  
Future Loss

Worldwide, forests are increasingly affected by nonnative insects and diseases, some of which cause substantial tree mortality. Forests in the United States have been invaded by a particularly large number (>450) of tree-feeding pest species. While information exists about the ecological impacts of certain pests, region-wide assessments of the composite ecosystem impacts of all species are limited. Here we analyze 92,978 forest plots distributed across the conterminous United States to estimate biomass loss associated with elevated mortality rates caused by the 15 most damaging nonnative forest pests. We find that these species combined caused an additional (i.e., above background levels) tree mortality rate of 5.53 TgC per year. Compensation, in the form of increased growth and recruitment of nonhost species, was not detectable when measured across entire invaded ranges but does occur several decades following pest invasions. In addition, 41.1% of the total live forest biomass in the conterminous United States is at risk of future loss from these 15 pests. These results indicate that forest pest invasions, driven primarily by globalization, represent a huge risk to US forests and have significant impacts on carbon dynamics.

Boosters of and barriers to smooth communication in family forest owners’ decision making

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 466-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teppo Hujala ◽  
Jukka Tikkanen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Family Forest
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