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Person OTH template Roth, Amber
by Rosanne Hessmiller — last modified Feb 15, 2023 04:48 PM — filed under:
Located in Expertise Search
Person Peters, Chris
by Web Editor — last modified Feb 15, 2023 04:47 PM — filed under:
Located in Expertise Search
Person Bomboy, Kristin
by Rosanne Hessmiller — last modified Feb 15, 2023 04:47 PM — filed under:
Located in Expertise Search
File text/texmacs Decision Support Tools to Inform the Rehabilitation and Management of High Graded Forests
by Josselyn Lucas — published Feb 15, 2023 — filed under: , , , , , ,
Abstract Numerous forests in the eastern United States have been degraded due to past exploitative timber harvesting known as high grading. High graded forest stands may not improve without active re- habilitation and may require targeted silvicultural treatments. This study focuses on high graded mixed-oak (mixed-Quercus spp.) stands and aims to develop a model that can identify past high grading and to determine modifications that may improve forest management recommendations provided by the prominent decision support tool, SILVAH. We present a model that uses standard forest inventory measurements and does not require knowledge of preharvest stand conditions to predict with moderate to high accuracy whether a stand was high graded, which could be par- ticularly useful for nonindustrial private forests. Results indicate that modifications to SILVAH may be necessary to improve its utility for prescribing silvicultural treatments in high graded stands. Study Implications: High graded forest stands are often not readily apparent and likely require specific forest management practices. We present a tool that uses standard forest inventory meas- urements to predict past high grading, which can be used to inform and prioritize forest manage- ment decisions. We also present suggested modifications to the prominent decision support tool, SILVAH, that may improve its ability to prescribe optimal silvicultural treatments for high graded stands. Results from this study provide forestry professionals/landowners working in the mixed- oak forests of the northeastern United States with tools to inform forest management decisions that aim to return degraded stands to healthier and more productive states.
Located in Information Materials / Research / WLFW Outcomes: Funded Research
File Seeing past the green: Structure, composition, and biomass differences in high graded and silviculture-managed forests of similar stand density
by Josselyn Lucas — published Feb 15, 2023 — last modified Feb 24, 2023 02:45 PM — filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Forests of the eastern United States (US) mostly comprise a mix of stands managed following silvicultural principles and stands managed with exploitative timber harvesting practices. These stands can have similar stand densities (e.g., basal area per hectare) but vary vastly in structure, composition, and biomass and carbon storage. High grading, a prevalent exploitative timber harvesting practice in the eastern US, is of particular concern because it can negatively affect future forest health and productivity. This study quantifies differences in forest structure, composition, and biomass and carbon storage between high graded stands and stands that received a seed/establishment cut of a uniform shelterwood regeneration sequence treatment, which is a comparable and well-established silvicultural method used to regenerate mixed-oak forests. It focuses on mixed-oak forests (mixed-Quercus), where the effects of high grading have been understudied, and uses a sample with broader spatial coverage than previous studies. The sample comprised nine stands that were known to have been high graded 8–15 years ago and nine stands that received the seed/establishment cut of a uniform shelterwood regeneration sequence. Stand were systematically sampled using fixed-area plots. Field measurements were collected and used to calculate metrics describing forest structure and function. The structure of high graded stands was characterized by a higher proportion of trees with poor health and/or form compared to shelterwood stands, with 18.3 % less acceptable growing stock and trees with lower crown compaction. Diameter distributions of high graded stands were characterized by numerous small trees and few large-diameter trees. Spatial variability of overstory trees was contingent on the tree size range evaluated, with a larger variability of sawtimber-sized trees (trees ≥ 29.2 cm in diameter at breast height) in high graded stands. High graded stands also had 2.2 times fewer oak trees (Quercus spp.) in the overstory canopy, 17,897 fewer seedlings per hectare (ha), and 45 Mg/ha less biomass than shelterwood stands. These results indicate that high grading generally degrades mixed-oak forests and impairs their long-term capacity to supply vital ecosystem services such as habitat for specific wildlife species, carbon storage, and high-quality wood products.
Located in Information Materials / Research / WLFW Outcomes: Funded Research
File text/texmacs Poster Presentation: Seeing Past the Green: Quantifying the Characteristics of High-graded Forests
by Josselyn Lucas — published Feb 15, 2023 — filed under: , , , , , ,
Download the Poster Presentation for "Seeing Past the Green: Quantifying the Characteristics of HIgh-Graded Forests
Located in Information Materials / Research / WLFW Outcomes: Funded Research
Golden-winged Warbler Habitat Restoration Work in Charlotte, VT
by Rhishja Cota — published Oct 25, 2022 — filed under: , , , , , , , , ,
While many migratory birds are spending warm sunny days in Central and South America, Vermont biologists are braving the cold to improve conditions for birds when they return from their wintering grounds to breed in Vermont.
Located in News & Events
Goats Help Restore Golden-Wing Warbler Habitat
by Rhishja Cota — published Oct 25, 2022 — last modified Oct 25, 2022 04:43 PM — filed under: , , , , , , , , ,
While we could have gone in with a bush hog mower, we tried something new this year – goats, adorable and effective goats.
Located in News & Events
Golden-Winged Warbler Habitat Project Update from Southeast Trust for Parks & Land (STPAL)
by Rhishja Cota — published Oct 25, 2022 — last modified Oct 25, 2022 04:43 PM — filed under: , , , , , , , , ,
Southeast Trust for Parks & Land (STPAL) and their Wildlife Consultant, Vic Vansant, is undertaking a project with Ecoforester, Carolina Audubon, USDA Equip program, and State of North Carolina Forestry and DENR to create 16-acres of habitat for the “near threatened” golden-winged warbler (GWWA) on 750-acres Bald Mountain Creek Nature Preserve in Yancey County, NC. This bird’s population has declined 98% in the Appalachians in the past 45 years, primarily due to habitat loss.
Located in News & Events
File ECMAScript program Conservation Choices for Wildlife: Golden-winged Warbler and Other Forest-dependent Species
by Tab Manager — published Jun 06, 2019 — last modified May 29, 2025 06:03 PM — filed under: , , , , , , ,
This guide outlines seven key conservation practices recommended to forest landowners who want to sustainably manage forests to benefit wildlife and forest health. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation partners work with forest landowners to plan and implement these practices that benefit a variety of species, including the golden-winged warbler. This assistance includes the development of a custom forest management plan as well as financial support to help cover part of the costs of implementing the practices. Technical and financial assistance are available through the Farm Bill, the largest source of federal funding for private lands conservation.
Located in Information Materials / Fact Sheets / Golden-Winged Warbler General Fact Sheets