A Multi-Attribute Assessment of Site Preparation Effects on the Socioeconomical and Ecological Attributes of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) Stands

Abstract

The public demands both commodity and non-commodity goods and srvices from our forests. This requires management options that not only provide fiber, clean water, wildlife habitat, and mcreation, but do so in a biologically sustainable manner, resulting in healthy productive forests into perpetuity. A common forest management activity used to enhance fiber production is site preparation. Little is known how site preparation affects recreational quality, soil sustainability, biodiversity, primary productivity, and other indicators of non-comodity productivity and forest sustainability. Management techniques must strike a prudent balance among these diverse and vital multi-attributes. A multidisciplinary team was formed to assess a wide spectrum of site preparation alternatives for the Southeastern U.S. as to their hence on commodity and non-commodity forest values and biological sustainability. Prime indicators for socioeconomic and ecologic attributes were assessed in an integrated approach in an attempt to optimize desirable features.

Citation

Miller, James H.; Gan, Jianbang; Kolison, Stephen H.; Boyd, Robert S.; McNabb, Kenneth L.; Lockaby, B. Graeme. 1998. A Multi-Attribute Assessment of Site Preparation Effects on the Socioeconomical and Ecological Attributes of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) Stands. Wagner, RG. and D.G. Thompson (comp.). 1998. Third International Conference on Forest Vegetation Management Popular Summeries. No. 141.