Transcript Among the findings, the study found that by using

“The conservation objective in the
Mississippi Alluvial Valley is to provide
forested habitat capable of supporting
sustainable populations of all forest
dependant wildlife species.”
Purpose of Report of the FRCWG
• To define desired forest conditions that result from
management of bottomland hardwood forests where the
primary objective is the conservation of wildlife
• To provide technical recommendations for the restoration
of bottomland hardwood forest on areas that have been
converted to non-forested land uses (e.g., agriculture)
that reflect the cumulative knowledge and experiences of
land managers and researchers from the past decades
of active reforestation
• To recommend protocols and procedures for coordinated
inventory and monitoring of forest resources on public
lands managed for wildlife conservation such that
restoration and management can be implemented in an
adaptive manner.
Forest Log
(Oregon Dept. of Forestry - Newsletter)
• “Among the findings, the study found that by
using structure-based management, ODF is
moving the primarily ‘middle-aged’ forests
toward a mixture of habitats, including complex
forest stands which are similar to old-growth.”
NRCS Technical Note No. 190-34
• Bird Use of
Reforestation Sites:
Influence of Location
and Vertical Structure
“Research suggests that in mature second
growth forests, selective timber harvest will
benefit many species of forest birds. Harvest
should encourage two forest conditions:”
• A reduced forest canopy, which encourages light
penetration of the forest floor, resulting in an
increase in understory vegetation, and
• Retention and development of dominant trees
with crowns that are emergent above the
average forest canopy.
Findings
• “…aid on-the-ground managers and program
managers …in implementing forest
management strategies for wildlife
conservation.”
• “To achieve these habitat conditions requires
managers to reassess traditional methods of
silviculture, placing greater emphasis on
retaining and promoting forest structure and
senescence to benefit priority wildlife.” (Wildlife
Forestry)
On reforested sites with densely stocked, closed canopy
stands, selective harvest should be undertaken to increase
understory vegetation.
However, the management action most beneficial to birds
would heterogeneously distribute harvest within a
reforested site; some areas would be subjected to intense
harvest whereas other areas would remain unharvested.
Beggs, 2004, Thesis “…variable
thinning response…”
Excerpt from thesis:
"... Study was developed to test if thinning could accelerate
development of late-successional habitat in young managed
... forests...the goal of this study was to investigate short-term
responses of vegetation to thinning treatments and to evaluate
this response in relation to long-term objectives of latesuccessional development."
Results: "...current trends indicate that a moderate to heavy
thinning in combination with gap formation can hasten
development of late-successional features...".
Findings
“…, we anticipate these
recommendations will
be instructive to
private landowners
targeting wildlife
conservation as part
of their overall land
stewardship
objectives.”
(Forest Stewardship
Program)
Wildlife Forestry
• Greater large tree
retention
• Deadwood/snag
retention and
development
Wildlife Forestry
• Midstory and
understory
development
• Species richness
• Maintenance of
shade-intolerant
regeneration
Recommendations
• “Because these recommendations reflect
the collective technical judgment and
experiences of many biologists, foresters,
and researchers, they have been
developed with the expectation of being
incorporated into the forest management
programs and forest conservation efforts
of LMVJV partners.”
LDWF WMA General Forest
Management Plan Revision –
March 2007
“Desired Forest Conditions developed by the
Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture’s
Forest Resource Conservation Working
Group will be used to guide forest
management decisions.”
Recommendations
• “…although these recommendations
reflect our current knowledge and
experience, refinement and modification is
expected as we increase our knowledge,
understanding, and experience in the
science of bottomland hardwood forest
restoration and management.”
(adaptive management)
Recommendations - high points
Restoration:
• Initial planting density of 435 seedlings per
acre, including early successional shade
intolerants as well as late successional
shade tolerant species
• Plantings should result in an average of
>300 trees/acre, preferably in a matrix of
high stem density patches and gaps
Recommendations - high points
Management:
• Management actions undertaken early in
development of stands (e.g., circa year 15
post planting)
• 70-95% of the forest area be actively
managed
• 35-50% of actively managed forest area
meet DFCs
Recommendations - high points
Management:
• Retention of a component of snag and
stressed stems for cavity/deadwood
• Promote development of 2 to 4 dominant
stems (average per acre) in the overstory
canopy
• 5-30% of the landscape, representing
broad forest types, be passively managed
Recommendations - high points
Monitoring
• Extensive inventories of forest within local
landscapes (e.g., WMA or Refuge) to assess
habitat conditions and aide in formulating
silvicultural treatments
• Design and implement coordinated monitoring
program to evaluate wildlife use of forest stands
following prescribed treatments (allowing
exchange of data across political boundaries)
• Establishment of a long-term, permanent
monitoring plot system (e.g., continuous forest
inventory)
Reviewers
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The Forest Resource Conservation Working Group
SEAFWA - Forest Resources Technical Committee
Southeastern Partners In Flight
Southern Group of State Foresters – AFC, TDF, MoDC
DU Southern Regional Office
Black Bear Conservation Committee
National Council for Air and Stream Improvement
TNC Arkansas
Mississippi Bat Working Group
NRCS
The Next Steps
• Management Board Approval (Randy)
• Publication of Report
– LDWF graphics staff preparing the report for
the printer
– USDA FS Forest Stewardship Program
providing funding for printing
• Implementation in the MAV (Randy)