Forest Sciences Commons^™

Incorporating Vegetative Diversity Measures In Forest-Level Planning: A Case Study On The Utah State University School Forest, David N. Holland

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three indices of forest stand structural and compositional diversity were incorporated into a linear programming, timber-harvest scheduling model to examine the tradeoffs between managing stands for timber production and biodiversity objectives. While harvest-level objectives were fairly compatible with the maintenance of biodiversity, present net worth maximization resulted in substantial reductions in all three measures of biodiversity.

Fuel Load And Plant Community Dynamics Of Bryce Canyon National Park, Doug W. Wight

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A comprehensive fuel load assessment of all plant communities in Bryce Canyon National Park is provided. Fuel loads by community type are pooled into "fuel type associations" based on similarity in predicted fire behavior, and the fuel type associations are mapped throughout the Park. For each fuel type association, a series of fire behavior simulations is presented describing expected rates of spread and intensities for typical conditions in each month of the fire season and for a worst-case scenario. These fire behavior predictions provide guidelines for writing prescribed burning prescriptions or for quickly assessing the need for possible fire suppression …

Density And Feeding Habits Of Elk And Deer In Relation To Livestock Disturbance, Kenneth Clegg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) density and foraging behavior were monitored in conjunction with disturbance by livestock (cattle and sheep) from 1991 to 1993 at Deseret Land and Livestock property near Woodruff, Utah. Elk and deer densities declined by as much as 92% in response to introduction of livestock, while associated areas where livestock were absent did not show this response. Biting rates and bite sizes were estimated and used to determine instantaneous intake rate. These measures were similar between pastures with cattle present or absent in 1992 but differed in 1993 for …

Dynamic Multi-Species Animal Habitat Modeling With Forest Succession Models, Stephen A. Compton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research determines and demonstrates the ability to simulate dynamic multi-species animal habitat suitability with forest succession models. A literature review of dynamic animal habitat models is presented. The structure of an existing forest simulation model (MASS10) was modified from a basal area-based model to a volume-based model (DYNAM10). The forest model was calibrated using data from permanent-plot growth and vegetation samples collected by USDA Forest Service Forest Survey procedures. The theoretical growth parameters used to simulate stand development were validated. Predictions of DBH and height growth, as well as stand-level behavior, were verified. A subroutine, VEGDYN, was added to …

Mathematical Programming Applications In Agroforestry Planning, Laurence H. Reeves

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Agroforestry as a sustainable production system has been recognized as a land use system with the potential to slow encroachment of agriculture onto forested lands in developing countries. However, the acceptance of nontraditional agroforestry systems has been hampered in some areas due to the risk-averse nature of rural agriculturalists. By explicitly recognizing risk in agroforestry planning, a wider acceptance of agroforestry is possible. This thesis consists of a collection of three papers that explore the potential of modern stock portfolio theory to reduce financial risk in agroforestry planning.

The first paper presents a theoretical framework that incorporates modern stock portfolio …

Hazard Perception And Preparation By Cross-Country Skiers In Utah, Kevin J. Kobe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis examined how cross-country skiers perceive and prepare for winter hazards. A self-completion questionnaire was administered to cross-country skiers in northern Utah. The questions on the questionnaire were designed to explore the relationships that affect how skiers perceive and prepare for winter hazards. Additionally, the situation where skiers put themselves at risk due to lack of information as opposed to skiers placing themselves at risk through the desire to confront nature's dangers was explored. Variables that were contained in these relationships were correlated and the degree of correlation was measured.

Those that sought information on the day surveyed were …

Visitor Characteristics And Attitudes Toward Policies In The Irish Wilderness Of Southern Missouri, Debra Lynn Bumpus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Questionnaires which assessed attitudes toward wilderness policies and behavioral norms were distributed to individuals at the Irish Wilderness, in the surrounding communities, and to conservation groups. Questions were designed to describe general wilderness policies and also those policies specific to the Irish Wilderness. The Irish Wilderness, located in southeastern Missouri, was designated as a national wilderness area in 1984. Prior to this 1986 study, no previous studies had been conducted in the area to describe visitor characteristics and attitudes toward wilderness management policies. A comparison was also made between the attitudes of the Irish Wilderness visitor and of Pacific Northwest …

Forest Canopies: Form And Functional Relationships, Steven B. Jack

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forest canopy structure is strongly influenced by stand density due to changing competitive interactions among the individual trees and in turn directly influences stemwood volume production. The structure and dynamics of forest canopies, particularly in relation to the production of stemwood, were examined in unmanaged, even-aged stands of two dissimilar tree species, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. and Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. The analysis of structure-production relationships was guided by a conceptual model which generated hypotheses and led to examination of assumptions incorporated in the model.

Mean crown dimensions were related to stand density through a negative exponential function for …

Modeling Forest Dynamics Based On Stand Level Resource Allocation, Geoffrey Candler Poole

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An ecologically based model of forest succession is presented. In the model, trees compete for a share of limited growth resources available from their environment. Competition is reflected by each tree's effect on the resource pool and is not explicitly modeled. Model parameters were fit to field data from subalpine forests of the Rocky Mountains. A technique for estimating model parameters from understory-tolerance rankings and silvical characteristics of each species is also presented. The model's output was consistent with our current understanding of forest dynamics. Emergent properties of the model also mimicked natural processes such as self-thinning, release, and maximum …

Using Computer Imaging To Assess Visual Impacts Of Forest Insect And Disease Pests, Daniel Rabin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forest insect and disease pests alter the appearance of trees, thereby impacting visual resources. Because of the complexity of most forest landscapes, the degree of visual impact of pest-infested forest stands is difficult to quantify.

This paper describes a method of measuring visual impacts of pest-infested forest stands. Photographs of healthy Ponderosa pine trees were entered into a computer video-image-processing system. Using this system, images of trees were altered to simulate different degrees of infestation by limb rust, a forest pathogen.

The altered and unaltered images were shown to groups of observers who rated the scenes in terms of "scenic …

Fire Frequency And The Vegetal Mosaic Of The Utah State University Experimental Forest, Linda L. Wadleigh-Anhold

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A fire history study conducted for the Utah State University (USU) Experimental Forest using three distinct periods of fire frequency, historic (1700-1855), settlement (1856-1909), and suppression (1910-present), showed a decreased mean fire interval (MFI) during the settlement period and a greatly increased MFI during the suppression era. The difference was attributed to the influx of ignition sources during the settlement of the nearby Cache Valley, located 40 kilometers to the west. The interaction of settlers with the resource during logging and livestock grazing activities encouraged the high MFI and created the vegetal mosaic now observed on the study area.

The …

The Association Of Seed And Cone Predator Populations And Cone Crop Production In Engelmann Spruce, Dawn E. Cameron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) exhibits cone crop periodicity, producing seed in a cyclic pattern. Variation in seed production has been noted between individuals of a population, but synchronization on a large scale is common. The theory that ultimately these periodic large cone crops have resulted from the selective pressures of seed and cone predators, referred to as the predator satiation hypothesis, is considered. Assuming predator pressures have operated over evolutionary time to select for periodic synchrony, associations between seed and cone predators and cone crop production levels were anticipated. These potential consequences of predator satiation were …

The Effects Of Recreation Specialization And Motivations On The Environmental Setting Preferences Of Backcountry Hikers, Randy J. Virden

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study explored how recreation specialization and different types of motivations were related to environmental settings preferred by backcountry hikers. A questionnaire was developed that measured the level of hiking specialization, desired psychological outcomes, and preferred environmental setting attributes. Questionnaires were mailed to 619 backcountry hikers from three Intermountain West hiking areas; a response rate of 68 percent was attained.

Results of the study revealed significant associations between the level of hiking specialization and the psychological states desired by backcountry hikers. In general, increased hiking specialization served to increase the importance of specific psychological outcomes such as autonomy, exercise, achievement …

Lodgepole Pine Susceptibility Rating Of Mountain Pine Beetle Through The Use Of A Density Management Diagram, John Albert Anhold

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ninety-four unmanaged lodgepole pine stands were examined to evaluate the relationship between stand density and susceptibility to mountain pine beetle attack. Sample included stands from a broad geographical range in the western United States.

Beetle population trends were not significantly related to variation in stand density as measured by stand density index (SDI). The percentage of trees killed per acre by the mountain pine beetle in stands with greater than eighty percent lodgepole pine did vary significantly with changes in SDI. From these data three SDI zones were identified: 1) stands with SDI's of less than 125 showed low potential …

Investigation Of Host Selection By Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus Ponderosae) Hopk. In Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta) Dougl., Thomas James Eager

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Lodgepole pines Pinus contorta (Douglas) were treated by girdling to assess the response by an endemic population of mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae (Hopkins) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Capture in 'sticky traps' indicated that the beetles were attracted while in flight towards the wounded trees. A significant difference in the landing rates of bark beetles between the treated and untreated trees indicated that the beetles were able to distinguish wounded from non-wounded trees while still in flight. Pressure chamber readings demonstrated that water stress developed in the girded trees when compared to the non-girdled trees.

Impact Of The Western Spruce Budworm On Buds, Developing Cones And Seeds Of Douglas-Fir In The Intermountain Region, Charles Joseph Frank

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a serious defoliator of conifers in the western U.S. and western Canada. In 1985 epidemic levels of the budworm caused average tree defoliation in west-central Idaho to increase to 83%, up substantially from the 35% average tree defoliation of 1984. Associated with this increase in defoliation was a change in the relative stand defolation ranking between the two years. found to damage all types and In 1985 the budworm was developmental stages of reproductive structures of Douglas- fir, including: seedcone buds, pollen-cones buds, maturing cones, and seeds. Differential selection of …

An Investigation Of The Environmental Relationships Of Selected Forest Habitat Types In Northern Utah, Penelope Morgan Lawton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It was the purpose of this study to examine an assumption basic to the forest habitat type classification system. Included in each habitat type is all land capable of supporting a single climax plant community type. In practice, land is grouped based on species camposition, relative abundance, and successional trends of the vegetation supported by the land. Land units of the same habitat type are assumed to represent similar environments. No previous critical evaluation of this assumption has been done.

Land in the study area had been previously classified under the habitat type system. Relationships between vegetation and environment were …

Conflict In Outdoor Recreation, Gerald R. Jacob

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The causes of conflict among users of outdoor recreation resources have received little attention from recreation researchers. Knowledge of factors responsible for conflict might assist recreation planners' attempts to reduce future instances of conflict and help management focus its conflict resolution efforts. A theory of conflict is offered as the first step in systematically procuring such knowledge. A definition and characteristics of outdoor recreation conflicts are presented; four comprehensive causes of user conflicts are proposed. Ten propositions are used to link these factors to conflict and suggest future research hypotheses. The social psychological dynamics of conflict, as described here, have …

Seed And Cone Insects Associated With Pinus Monophylla Torr. And Frem., Michael James Jenkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Dissection and rearing studies of second-year cones disclosed six species of insects associated with the seeds and cones of singleleaf pinyon pine. Those most commonly encountered were: Dioryctria sp. probably albovittella Hulst, Conophthorus monophyllae Hopkins and Pineus coloradensis Gillette. The three remaining species were of lesser importance. These included the gall midge, Asynapta sp., a minor cone pest and two parasites, one of C. monophyllae, Acerocephala atroviolacea Crawford and an unidentified parasite of Dioryctria, of the family Ichneumonidae.

D. sp. probably albovittella was regarded as the major insect destroying cones and seeds of P. monophylla in …

A Hydrology Temperature Model For A Small Mountain Watershed, Charles Wilson Pettee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A small mountain watershed located in the Wasatch Mountains of North Central Utah is calibrated to a lumped, deterministic simulation model which is capable of predicting daily streamflow and stream temperature. The input information required is daily precipitation and maximum and minimum air temperatures.

In this study, the area of watershed modeling is reviewed in general and as it specifically applies to the study watershed.

The degree of correlation between observed data and predicted output is only mediocre. The model remains unverified for streamflow prediction and is poorly verified for stream temperature.

Breeding Ecology Of The Ferruginous Hawk In Northern Utah And Southern Idaho, Richard P. Howard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forty-three and 54 Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) pairs were found occupying territories in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho during 1972 and 1973, respectively. Of these 38 and 27 nesting pairs laid eggs. Nesting success was 77.1 percent in 1972 and 74.6 percent in 1973. for successful nests, an average of 2.9 and 2.6 young hatched and 2.7 and 2.3 young fledged during the respective years. This population is reproductively comparable to others in Utah and Colorado. Analysis of prey items collected from the nests indicated that black-tailed jack-rabbits (Lepus californicus) constitute 86 percent of the biomass …

An Analysis Of Counties And Municipalities Which Did Not Participate In The Land And Water Conservation Fund Act Of 1965 Utah: 1965-1970, Lyle A. Bair

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Characteristics of nonparticipating Utah counties and municipalities in the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 were studied. Specific objectives studied were: (1) program awareness, (2) program understanding, and (3) reasons for nonparticipation from 1965 to 1970.

A telephone survey was conducted of all nonparticipating counties, all nonparticipating municipalities larger than 2500 population and a simple random sampling of municipalities smaller than 2500 population. Results were compared on a governmental unit and regional basis.

The survey determined that, as a whole, less than 45 percent of nonparticipating Utah counties and municipalities were aware of the program. The greatest awareness …

A Description Of Anglers And Angling Use In Two Areas Of The Uinta Mountains, John F. Hoagland

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The High Uinta Primitive Area, Utah's most popular high mountain recreation area, has a reputation as an excellent trout and grayling fishery. Proposed for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, the area faces several management dilemmas. The primary problem being that managers must protect the resource from the effects of heavy recreational use without destroying the primitive and aesthetic dimensions of wilderness environment. It appears that much impact on the more accessible lakes is due to fishing use. The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine the proportions of angling to non-angling groups; (2) to describe certain characteristics …

The Local Interest As A Consideration In The Planning Of Highway Construction In The Canyonlands Region Of Southeastern Utah, Robert L. Barry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An examination was conducted of the potential of proposed highway construction for serving the needs and interests of the population of the Canyonlands Region of southeastern Utah. The history of the highway development issue in the region was first examined with special attention given to the local position on the issue as expressed by local government spokesmen. Next, the total system of development proposals for the region was divided into four sections using criteria of area served and degree of controversy. A map analysis was conducted to determine how these four separate proposals would serve transportation needs of the region. …

The Influence Of Atmospheric Dust And Foliar Leachates On The Chemical Quality Of Throughfall In Northern Utah, Dennis R. Parent

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the summer of 1971 a research project was carried out in an attempt to determine the influence of dust and leachates on rainfall quality. Open precipitation collectors, collectors under polyethylene screens, collectors under Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), and leaf analyses were used to determine the relative effects of these two processes by which chemicals are incorporated into the rainwater. All samples were analyzed for sodium (Na⁺), calcium (Ca⁺⁺), magnesium (Mg⁺⁺), potassium (K⁺), and available phosphorus. Under the trees, sodium concentrations increased as much as …

A Study Of Root Biomass In An Engeimann Spruce-Subalpine Fir Stand In Northern Utah, Larry O. Gadt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biomass of roots in the top 6 inches of soil profile was measured . This weight was then used in a stepwise multiple regression to test correlations between root biomass and above ground merisurational parameters.

Total biomass of all roots was 9822 ± 2810 pounds per acre oven dry. Spruce roots weighed 4417 ± 997 pounds per acre; of this spruce roots less than 0.125 inch diameter weighed 2023 ± 347 pounds per acre and biomass of spruce roots greater than 0.125 inch diameter was 2394 ± 8S3 pounds per acre. Total fir roots weighed Sl56 ± 2687 pounds per …

The Development Of A Prediction System For The Occurrence Of Law Violations On The Ogden Ranger District, Weber County, Cache National Forest, Utah, John Henry Harris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The primary objective of this study was to develop a prediction system for the occurrence of law violations on the Ogden Ranger District, Weber County, Cache National Forest, Utah, whereby the existing manpower and equipment may be used as effectively as possible.

In an attempt to develop the prediction system, 13 variables were chosen that were felt to be related to the occurrence of law violations. These variables consisted on nine weather variables and four use related variables, Of the original 13 variables, 12 variables were significant. The most significant variables that accounted for the greatest portion of the variability …

The Contribution Of Summer Tourism To The Utah Economy, William D. Brakel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The increase in household income attributed to expenditures by Utah motor vehicle tourists from June 15 to September 5, 1969, was estimated using income multipliers from input-output analysis. Tourist expenditures were gathered through the distribution of postage-paid diaries to non-residents entering Utah. Expenditures were also segregated for Cache County, Utah. The income multipliers from state and county input-output models were used to estimate the impact of applying the state model to county data.

Approximately 927,250 tourist parties to Utah spent an estimated $37,842,816, increasing household income $65,018,557. Likewise, approximately 67,709 tourist parties spent an estimated $798,966 in Cache County. The …

Analysis Of Long-Term Streamflow Patterns On Two Davis County Experimental Watersheds In Utah, Stephen P. Glasser

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The influence of aspect on water yield variability over a long period, 1936-1964, was studied at two small, mountainous watersheds within the Davis County Experimental Watershed near Farmington, Utah.

North-facing Miller Creek is densely vegetated by a conifer-aspen forest and mountain brush. Miller Creek's yield was more variable for daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual flows than yields from south-west facing Halfway Creek which is covered by mountain brush. Differences between watersheds in annual yield and snowmelt season runoff were nonsignificant.

The snowmelt runoff season extended for an average of 65 days on both watersheds, but it began 24 days earlier …

Soil Moisture Recharge In Stands Of Quaking Aspen And Gambel Oak In Central Utah, James L. Boynton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Soil moisture recharge was studied in quaking aspen and Gambel oak forest areas of central Utah. The rate, timing, and duration of the recharge period was observed. Soil moisture readings were taken periodically throughout the winter of 1966 -1967.

Soil moisture recharge begins in October and continues until May. The period of most rapid increase in recharge is between February and May. This corresponds to a rapid decrease in the zenith angle of the sun at the surface of the area and also to a decrease in cloud cover over the area.

Deep soils and high infiltration capacities prevent surface …