Forest Vegetation Management research is now developing "ecological tools" for meeting many natural resource goals and objectives. In addition to enhancing commodity outputs, vegetation management techniques and technology are needed to create and maintain desirable plant and animal habitats; restore damaged forest landscapes; control invasive plants; maintain recreational areas, trails, and scenic vistas; and maintain rights-of-way for multiple uses. The principles of Vegetation Management can also be used to create mixed and uneven-aged stands, a desired future condition for many of our national forests and some privately owned woodlands.

To guarantee sustainable forest management while increasing commodity and non-commodity productivity, ecologically sound and socio-economically viable vegetation management prescriptions will be critical for both public and private forestlands. Coupled with prescription development is the imperative for understanding how integrated vegetation management treatments affect forest ecosystem sustainability, resiliency, and function.

Program element 2a -- Forest vegetation management prescriptions and practices:

There are a number of vegetation management prescriptions today that integrate herbicide, prescribed burning, or mechanical methods, yet there are many information gaps on the proper selection of the optimum combination to meet multi-resource goals. New combinations will be required as forest management strategies evolve. Completely new treatments and strategies will be needed for non-native plant control and containment. Little is known about the effects of vegetation management treatments on long-term site productivity and biological diversity. Until both the short- and long-term consequences of vegetation management treatments have been determined on the principal pine and pine-hardwood forest site types in the Southeast, it will be difficult to know what treatments and combinations provide the most ecologically sound and cost-effective results.

Program element 2b -- Invasive plant control and management:

Non-native and even some native invasive plants are forming a new and increasing component of our Southern forests. Billions of dollars in lost forest productivity are at stake as well as our native plant communities and wildlife habitat. Plant invaders can completely alter fire regimes, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and energy budgets in native ecosystems. Prevention, early control and containment, and monitoring are the needed elements to combat and manage non-native plant invasions. The active role that has been played in the past by SRS 4552 in developing a collaborative kudzu-integrated management program will be expanded further to focus on the most threatening invasive species. Collaborative programs are the key to dealing with this problem. Research, extension, and collaborative support roles will be a part of planned activities.

September 7, 2008

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USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station 4552 520 Devall Drive Auburn, AL   US  36849 Phone  334.826.8700 Fax  334.821.0037