Forest Sciences Commons^™

2013 Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Mark Cannella, Chris Lindgren, Betsy Miller

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Strong market prices, technology improvements and increasing sugar bush sizes are key features of the Vermont maple industry. The continued growth of maple production and maple investments elevate the interest in the financial performance of harvesting maple sap and processing maple syrup. The 2013 Maple Business Benchmark is the result of the first year of focused collection of financial information for the sector. University of Vermont Extension worked with 10 maple producers to complete financial analysis of their maple enterprise. Participants each received a detailed financial summary of their business that included information on sales, expenses, investments and profitability. That …

Evaluating Five Years Of Soil Hydrologic Response Following The 2009 Lockheed Fire In The Coastal Santa Cruz Mountains Of California, Mary Theresa Crable

Master's Theses

The Lockheed Fire burned 31 km² (7,660 acres) of the Scotts Creek watershed in August 2009. 4.5 km² (1,100 acres) of California Polytechnic State University’s educational and research facility at Swanton Pacific Ranch. The burned region presented an opportunity for studying the hydrologic response of burned soils in the Santa Cruz Mountains where there is insufficient post-fire studies regarding fire-effects on watershed processes such as infiltration and near-surface runoff. Soil infiltration and soil water repellency were evaluated with rainfall simulations, Mini-disk Infiltrometer (MDI) and water drop penetration time tests (WDPT) at sites represented by variations in burn severity, …

Timber Talk, Vol. 52, No. 4, November 1, 2014

Timber Talk: Nebraska Forest Industry Newsletter

In This Issue

Lumber Market News ...........................1

Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Green..................................2

Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Kiln Dried...........................2

Wood is Good........................................3

Simple Steps for Double Your Firewood Profits................................4

Homemade Log Forwarder...................5

Nebraska Forest Industry Spotlight......6

The Trading Post....................................8

Timber Sales...........................................8

Bullish On Forestry Careers, Steven H. Bullard, Thomas J. Straka

Faculty Publications

During the next decade, baby boomer-aged foresters, those born from 1946 to 1964, will be retiring in large numbers. This retirement trend is true for all sectors of forestry employment, from state and federal agencies to private firms and industries.

Forestry employers in both public and private sectors are clamoring for more graduates, as well as for more diverse graduates, from forestry degree programs. With looming retirements and industry growth, employers can project the number of positions opening, and they are aware that U.S. forestry schools are not producing sufficient graduates to fill the positions.

The Optimal Foraging Of Equus Burchelli At Enashiva Nature Refuge, Edward Haubenreiser

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Within the country of Tanzania lies a vast ecosystem known as the Serengeti. This unique landscape, primarily of grasslands and woodlands, shapes the seasonal feeding habits of the abundant wildlife that call the area home. While these feeding habits on a large spatial scale are well understood, such behavior within a specie’s specific environment remains of interest. With the theory of optimal foraging in mind, which considers how animals should look for and select food (Green, 1990), I studied the foraging habits of resident Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) by observing if they move and forage among distinct resource …

Timber Talk, Vol. 52, No. 3, September 1, 2014

Timber Talk: Nebraska Forest Industry Newsletter

In This Issue

Lumber Market News ...........................1

Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Green..................................2

Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Kiln Dried...........................2

Band Saws for Small Sawmills..............3

Sawmills Can Make More than Lumber.............................................5

Nebraska Forest Industry Spotlight......6

The Trading Post....................................8

Timber Sales...........................................8

Seedling Uptake And Fate Of Soil-Applied Capsaicin, A Potential Browse Deterrent, Carmen K. Dobbs, Joshua L Sloan, Douglass F. Jacobs

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Seedling damage due to browse constitutes a major challenge to afforestation and reforestation efforts in the Central Hardwood Forest region of the USA. Many efforts have been made to deter herbivores, but the costs, implementation methods, and relative ineffectiveness of existing mitigation options often preclude operational implementation. An alternate means of deterring wildlife browse is capsaicin, a hot pepper concentrate, which has been reported to decrease herbivory of tree seedlings and is available in a controlled-release form designed to act systemically following application to the soil and subsequent plant uptake. However, the degree to which seedlings are capable of absorbing …

Fact Or Fiction: Random Mating In Field Populations Of Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte) Emerging On Bt And Refuge Corn Plants, Steven Joel Smith

Open Access Theses

The western corn rootworm, or WCR, (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) is the most significant pest of field corn (Zea mays) in the United States, and has recently expanded its range into Europe. Since 2004, hybrid corn containing Bt toxins targeting the corn rootworm complex have been heavily adopted and are now the primary control measure for this pest in North American corn production. ^ The evolution of resistance is an ongoing concern, and to ensure Bt products will retain their usefulness, insect resistance management (IRM) tactics using various refuge structures have been adopted. One of the key …

The Community Economic Impacts Of Large Wildfires: A Case Study From Trinity County, California, Emily Jane Davis, Cassandra Moseley, Max Nielsen-Pincus, Pamela J. Jakes

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Wildfires are increasing in severity and frequency in the American West, but there is limited understanding of their economic effects at the community level. We conducted a case study of the impacts of large wildfires in 2008 in Trinity County, California, by examining labor market, suppression spending, and qualitative interview data. We found that the 2008 fires had interrelated effects on several economic sectors in the county. Labor market data indicated a decrease in total private-sector employment and wages and an increase in public-sector employment and wages during the summer of 2008 compared to the previous year, while interviews captured …

Evaluation Of Methods For Control Of Vegetation In Utility Corridors, George V. Rancea

Master's Projects and Capstones

Vegetation management programs are now one of the largest budget items for most of the utility companies in the United States. Control methods used in line clearance activities include mechanical trimming, planting management, or use of tree growth regulators (chemicals that suppress the production of gibberellins, the plant hormones that control stem elongation). Choosing the appropriate control method is a decision that vegetation program managers should take based on many factors, like costs, environmental impacts, existing agreements with the landowners, terrain, public perception etc. To find a balance between competing interests – a reliable and economic electric system on one …

Project Report No. 69, Observed Growth And Yield Of Loblolly And Slash Pine Plantations In East Texas, Dean W. Coble, Katherine Pendergast

Informal Project Reports

Forestland in East Texas is an estimated 12.1 million acres, with approximately 2.9 million acres (24%) classified as pine plantations on private land. Because pine plantations are typically managed for timber production, information regarding tree growth is needed to make informed management decisions. An understanding of how growth factors such as tree volume, diameter, height and basal area are affected by site index, trees per acre and age in East Texas enables plantation managers to make the management decisions necessary to maximize timber production.

Herbaceous 2014, Julia I. Chapman, Keith E. Gilland, Ryan W. Mcewan

Data Files: Drew Woods Permanent Plots

Herbaceous vegetation data collected in 2014 at Drew Woods State Nature Preserve in Darke County, OH. Data key is provided in a supplemental file.

Value-Added Lignin Based Carbon Fiber From Organosolv Fractionation Of Poplar And Switchgrass, Andreas Attwenger

Masters Theses

Carbon fibers have unique properties that include high strength, low density and excellent chemical and thermal resistance. However, they have a low level of utilization because of their high price; typically around $30/kg for an entry level polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based carbon fiber. Low-cost carbon fibers derived from lignin are currently being investigated at the University of Tennessee, because using lignin as a precursor could significantly reduce production costs. Lignins obtained from the pulp and paper and the emerging biofuel industries have the potential to be used for carbon fiber production, however, they are typically unsuitable because of the high levels …

A Comprehensive Street Tree And Soil Study Along Roadways In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Thomas Murphy Turnbull

Masters Theses

In the early 1940s, during the early stages of the Manhatttan Project (WWII), rural communities in Anderson County, Tennessee were rapidly converted into laboratory facilities and the city of Oak Ridge. The environment that became Oak Ridge not only experienced pollutants from the laboratory activities, but also alterations from the land-use change from rural to urban. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the impacts of land-use change from rural to urban on (1) street tree diversity and performance; and (2) the biological, chemical and physical properties, and nutrient dynamics of street tree ecosystem soils. There were a total of …

Atcofa Monograph 1-2014, Steven H. Bullard, Dean W. Coble, Theresa Coble, Ray Darville, Laurie Rogers, Pat Stephens Williams

ATCOFA Monograph Series

Producing ‘Society-ready’ Foresters:

A Research-based Process to Revise the Bachelor of Science in Forestry Curriculum at Stephen F. Austin State University

Genetic Variation, Local Adaptation And Population Structure In North American Red Oak Species, Quercus Rubra L. And Q. Ellipsoidalis E. J. Hill, Jennifer F. Lind-Riehl

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Forest trees, like oaks, rely on high levels of genetic variation to adapt to varying environmental conditions. Thus, genetic variation and its distribution are important for the long-term survival and adaptability of oak populations. Climate change is projected to lead to increased drought and fire events as well as a northward migration of tree species, including oaks. Additionally, decline in oak regeneration has become increasingly concerning since it may lead to decreased gene flow and increased inbreeding levels. This will in turn lead to lowered levels of genetic diversity, negatively affecting the growth and survival of populations. At the same …

Illuminating Capacity-Building Strategies For Landscape-Scale Collaborative Forest Management Through Constructivist Grounded Theory, Marcelle Elise Dupraw

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation uses the constructivist grounded theory methods of Charmaz (2011) to explore: 1) the unique characteristics of landscape-scale collaboration; 2) implications for collaborative capacity-building strategies; and 3) the relationship between conflict, landscape-scale collaboration, and conflict resolution. The study was conducted through the US Forest Service's Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). In the 1980s and 1990s, national forest management conflicts brought the forest industry to a standstill, with many jobs lost. In addition, historic fire suppression practices have made our national forests highly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. Many have strong opinions about what should be done and how. The …

Producing “Society-Ready” Foresters: A Research-Based Process To Revise The Bachelor Of Science In Forestry Curriculum At Stephen F. Austin State University, Steven H. Bullard, Pat Stephens Williams, Theresa Coble, Dean W. Coble, Ray Darville, Laurie Rogers

Faculty Publications

“Society-ready” foresters are capable of dealing effectively with the complex economic, ecological, and social issues involving forestry in the 21st century. To assess the knowledge areas, skill sets, abilities, and behaviors needed by society-ready, entry-level foresters today, we surveyed 800 forestry employers and forestry alumni from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), and we also conducted focus group sessions with a total of 58 forestry employers. Important areas of knowledge on emerging issues for society-ready Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) graduates included climate change, water availability and quality, and dealing with invasive plants, pathogens, and insects. However, the skill …

University-Based Forestry Research And "The Little Red Hen", Steven H. Bullard

Faculty Publications

Universities have three basic mission areas: service, teaching, and research. Through the service mission, many forest landowners participate in forestry extension programs and use university-based out reach materials and resources. Many forest landowners also recognize the teaching mission of universities by interacting regularly with forestry professionals who were trained through academic programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters. These two mission areas, service and teaching, have been and continue to be relevant to millions of forest landowners across the nation.

But what about university-based forestry research? As a forestry dean and as current president of the National Association of …

Communications In Our Forestry Curriculum: How Are We Meeting The Need? (Abstract), Pat Stephens Williams, Ray Darville

Faculty Posters

No abstract provided.

Quantifying Natural Resources Using Field-Based Instruction And Hands-On Applications (Abstract), Daniel Unger, I-Kuai Hung, David L. Kulhavy, Yanli Zhang

Faculty Posters

No abstract provided.

Is Pictometry Useful In Tree, Shrub And Forest Landscape Ecological Analysis? (Abstract), David L. Kulhavy, Daniel Unger, I-Kuai Hung, David Creech

Faculty Posters

No abstract provided.

Forest And Agriculture Landscape Changes Due To Petroleum Exploration (Abstract), Daniel Unger, I-Kuai Hung, Kenneth W. Farrish

Faculty Posters

No abstract provided.

Accuracy Evaluation Of Hand Held Gnss Units In Applied Urban Forestry (Abstract), Daniel Unger, Raymond Whitlock, Yanli Zhang, Jon Erhart, Randy Carmical

Faculty Posters

No abstract provided.

Development And Evaluation Of High Resolution Simulation Tools To Improve Fire Weather Forecasts, Brian K. Lamb, Jason M. Forthofer, Peter R. Robichaud

JFSP Research Project Reports

Fire weather forecasts rely on numerical weather simulations where the grid size is 4 km x 4 km or larger. In areas of complex terrain, this model resolution will not capture the details of wind flows associated with complicated topography. Wind channeling in valleys, wind speed-up over mountains and ridges, and enhanced turbulence associated with rough terrain and tall forest canopies are poorly represented in current weather model applications. A number of numerical wind flow models have been developed for simulating winds at high resolution; however, there are limited observational data available at the spatial scales appropriate for evaluating these …

Exploring How Deliberation On Scientific Information Shapes Stakeholder Perceptions Of Forest Management And Climate Change, Troy E. Hall, Jarod J. Blades

JFSP Research Project Reports

Climate change has resulted in rapid biophysical changes in forests of the western U.S. and has prompted the need for an increased understanding of potential impacts and adaption measures. Land managers, policy makers, and community officials lack locally relevant climate change science and are urgently calling for research to inform management decisions. Nevertheless, a substantial disconnect remains between emerging scientific information and its application in management decisions. Effective action depends on understanding regional and local implications of climate change and open, reasoned discussions about current research and potential mitigation actions among researchers, land managers, and other stakeholders. Boundary objects have …

Fire Effects On Seedling Establishment Success Across Treeline: Implications For Future Tree Migration And Flammability In A Changing Climate, F. S. Chapin Iii, Teresa N. Hollingsworth, Rebecca E. Hewitt

JFSP Research Project Reports

Understanding the complex mechanisms controlling treeline advance or retreat in the arctic and subarctic has important implications for projecting ecosystem response to changes in climate. Changes in landcover due to a treeline biome shift would alter climate feedbacks (carbon storage and energy exchange), ecosystem services such as wildlife and berry habitat, and landscape flammability. Wildfire frequency and extent has increased in the last half-century in the boreal forest and tundra in response to warmer weather and lower precipitation. Invasion of tundra by trees may be facilitated by wildfire disturbance, which exposes new seedbeds, increases nutrient availability immediately post-fire, and creates …

An Illustrated Id Guide To The Crayfishes Found In Nebraska Native And Non-Native, Steve Schainost

Nebraska Invasive Species Program

There are five crayfishes native to Nebraska. These are:

Orconectes immunis (papershell crayfish)

Orconectes virilis (northern crayfish)

Orconectes neglectus neglectus (ringed crayfish)

Cambarus diogenes (Devil crayfish)

Procambarus gracilis (prairie crayfish)

Three additional non-native crayfishes have also been found here:

Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish) [bait tanks and established in two ponds in Omaha]

Procambarus clarkii (red swamp crayfish) [bait tanks]

Procambarus acutus (White River crayfish) [bait tanks]

I will attempt here to provide a photographic guide to field identification, one species per page.

Graduate Research Innovation Awards Encourage Young Scientists To Ask Bold Questions, Gail Wells

Joint Fire Science Program Digests

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP), in partnership with the Association for Fire Ecology, offers Graduate Research Innovation (GRIN) awards yearly to a handful of top-quality graduate students conducting research in fire science. GRIN awards are intended to nurture the next generation of fire and fuels scientists and managers, enhance their professional development, help them become engaged with their community of peers, and equip them to tackle the fire and fuels management challenges of today and tomorrow. To earn a GRIN award, master’s and doctoral students are invited to submit succinct four-page proposals for original research in fire ecology, management, …

Long-Term Changes In Four Plant Communities Along An Elevational Gradient In The Front Range Of Colorado, Gregory J. Sproull

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We surveyed four plant communities along an elevational gradient in the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains for long-term overstory and understory changes. Our results were compared to those found in 1981 and 1996. We evaluated changes in succession, elevational species migration and range expansion, community diversity, and composition. We related temporal floristic shifts to prior literature on disturbance history at each site. Over time, all communities changed significantly, though in different manners. This analysis shows that plant communities are changing in dynamic and idiosyncratic ways that correspond to individualistic distribution shifts. Moreover, we exhibit the necessity of comprehensively …