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Vegetative composition in forested areas following application of desired forest condition treatments

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Desired forest conditions, or DFCs, are recently created parameters which strive to create diverse stands of hardwoods of various species and age classes, along with varying densities and canopy gaps, through the use of uneven-aged silvicultural methods and repeated stand entries. Little research has been conducted to examine residual stand composition and hardwood regeneration after DFC installment. The objectives of this study were to characterize forest overstory and midstory conditions after DFC treatments and to assess natural regeneration. Residual stand conditions after application of DFC harvest guidelines indicate that shade-tolerant species will be future site occupants, and oaks will diminish or disappear over time. This documented initial forest response to DFC treatments can be used by forest and wildlife habitat managers when assessing the potential outcomes of DFC management.

Parent Publication

Citation

Danley, Trent A.; Ezell, Andrew W.; Schultz, Emily B.; Hodges, John D. 2015. Vegetative composition in forested areas following application of desired forest condition treatments. In Proceedings of the 17th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. e–Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–203. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 10 p.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/47659