The practice of extension in improving forest and natural resource management around the world is increasing. In 2003 an international symposium of extensionists working in forestry and natural resources was convened in Troutdale, Oregon. Thirty-five papers from 11 countries focused on successful strategies that have been employed in extension work around the globe. Twenty-two strategies were highlighted that relate to educational approach or programming. Members of the Extension Working Party of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (500 members from 70 countries) were surveyed to see if they used these strategies often or sometimes, or if they did not use them but would like to, or if they don't feel the strategy is relevant to them. Results were compiled by three constructed regions: U.S. and Canada; Europe and Australia; and Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and differences were tested using Pearson's χ 2. In general, the strategies were consistently and widely used around the world. Typically from 70 to 95% of the survey respondents indicated that they use the strategy often or sometimes. Regional differences occurred with only six of the 22 strategies. For example, the strategy develop collaborations with associations of learners, such as forest owner associations was used often or sometimes by 90% of respondents from the U.S. and Canada, 83% of respondents from Europe and Australia, and only 47% of respondents from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Reasons for these significant (p < 0.0001) differences are proposed. Additionally, some barriers to use of some of the strategies are reported.
Clearcutting, a commonly used silvicultural practice in southeastern Ohio, often results in a forest stand with a different species composition than the parent stand. The time frames during which shifts in species composition occur on different sites are unclear. While some studies have documented species composition at specific points in time, none have attempted to examine differences throughout the first decades of stand development. This study focused on the early successional dynamics of young, mixed-species forests of southeastern Ohio. Species compositions were examined across a chronosequence of sixteen stands that developed following clearcutting. Stand ages ranged from six to 26 years. The sample was limited to dry-mesic hardwood forests on southerly aspects and on soils derived from residuum or colluvium. Across the chronosequence, stand density ranged from 17 636 stems ha -1 at age 6 to 2759 stems ha -1 at age 26, and basal area ranged from 8.2 m 2 ha -1 to 22.1 m 2 ha -1. Clumps comprised a substantial portion of the total stand density and basal area. At age 6-8 years after clearcutting, clumped stems accounted for 35.1% of the density and 48.2% of the basal area. At age 26 years, these proportions were 25.7% and 29.4%, respectively. Clumped stems were significantly larger (p<0.05) than non-clumped stems at each age group except 26 years. Total Quercus spp. density was greatest at age 6-8 years (3386 stems ha-1), and least at age 26 years (581 stems ha-l). When considered as a proportion of the total stand, however, the proportion was relatively stable, averaging 21.3%. However, importance value (IV=[relative density + relative basal areal/2) of Quercus in the upper canopy (dominant and codominant crown classes) was twice as much (72%) at age 26 years compared to age 6-8 years (35%). Quercus prinus L. was the major species across the chronosequence. For all age groups except 18-20 years, Q. prinus IV was the highest of any individual species in the upper canopy, and it ranged from 27 in the youngest stands (6-8 years) to 69 in the oldest stand (26 years). Within the intermediate crown class, the IV of Q. prinus equaled or exceeded those of all other species, except for the 18-20 year age group where it was second to A. rubrum. Quercus alba L. and Quercus velutina Lam. were minor components at age 26 years, although they dominated a comparison sample of six mature stands of the same ecosystem type. Liriodendron tulipifera L. was abundant 6-8 years after clearcutting, but nearly absent at age 26 years. Acer rubrum L. was the major species in both the intermediate and overtopped crown classes throughout the chronosequence. As gaps in the canopy occur, A. rubrum may become a more common species within the dominant-codominant crown class.
Knowledge of composition and development of stands following harvesting is prerequisite to forest management decisions. Conventional harvesting in mature upland oaks stands resulted in stands substantially different than the original. Twenty-eight-year-old reproduction following complete clearcutting, commercial clearcutting, diameter-limit cutting, selection cutting, and selection cutting with timber stand improvement indicated that the higher the residual overstory density the lower the frequency, diameter, and basal area of reproduction. Generally the proportion of oak and hickory in reproduction was significantly lower than in the original stand, though enough oak was present to potentially comprise a substantial portion of the final stand. Increased amounts of red maple, particularly on north-facing slopes, were primarily responsible for this change in composition. Reproduction stem quality did not differ between treatments. This information provides a more accurate basis for predicting future stand character and potential products, and for developing alternative management strategies. North J. Appl. For. 2:17-22, Mar. 1985.
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