Economic and ecological effects of diameter-limit and BDq management regimes: simulation results for northern hardwoods

Abstract

The long-term financial and ecological effects of diameter-limit regimes and basal-areadiameter-q-ratio (BDq) regimes were compared by simulation in the case of northern hardwood forests. Varying the cutting cycle between 10 and 20 years had little effect on returns or stand structure. A 28-cm diameter-limit cut gave the highest production and financial returns, and the highest species diversity, but considerably lower size diversity. A 38-cm diameter-limit cut and a heavy BDq selection harvest gave high returns, while maintaining high levels of diversity. On lands of equal site quality, Michigan's stands were more productive than Wisconsin's. The results suggest that it is possible to manage northern hardwood stands sustainably with diameter-limit cuts, combined with removal of poorly performing understory trees. Adjusting the diameter limit gave rise to stands similar in productivity and structure to those obtained by BDq cutting regimes. Given their simplicity of implementation and monitoring, more attention should be given to diameter-limit cutting regimes, with attendant stand improvement measures, as a practical means for uneven-aged management of northern hardwoods.

An evaluation of different diameter diversity indices based on criteria related to forest management planning

“…Buongiorno et al, 1994Buongiorno et al, , 2000Schulte and Buongiorno, 1998;Wikstöm and Eriksson, 2000;Buongiorno, 2001). The index is based on the proportion of basal area for each of the diameter classes (ba i /BA).…”

“…Indices quantifying tree size diversity have also been applied as integrated parts of growth simulators to quantify the influence of different treatments on stand structure, and as tools that facilitate the control of silvicultural treatments in forest management analyses (e.g. Buongiorno et al, 1994Buongiorno et al, , 2000Schulte and Buongiorno, 1998;Wikstöm and Eriksson, 2000;Buongiorno, 2001). Some growth models comprise subjectively assessed variables describing stand structure (e.g.…”

Intra- and interspecific patterns of day roost selection by three species of forest-dwelling bats in Southern British Columbia

“…Veteran and dominant trees with suitable characteristics (loose bark, hollows, cracks) can be maintained by prescriptions, such as selection cutting and diameter-limit cuts, which involve the selective removal of understory trees. Such actions would reduce the level of clutter in dense second-growth stands and maintain some degree of canopy cover and associated microclimate, while preserving the largest and most valuable wildlife trees (Buongiorno et al, 2000). Additional management techniques, such as periodic low intensity burning or thinning in these stands would also help maintain a more open habitat over time (Boyles and Aubrey, 2006).…”

Changing our mental model from growing volume to producing value: The case of uneven-aged hardwood management

“…In the literature, analyses of value generally consider the market value of round wood to be the transaction revenue between the forest owner and the buying mills on the hypothesis of a free market (Buongiorno et al 2000, Nyland 2005). In practice, this does not apply to most public forests in eastern Canada, where the forest tenure is based on wood allocation to mills according to timber supply contracts and requirements.…”