An Old-Growth Definition for Western and Mixed Mesophytic Forests

Greenberg, Cathryn H.; McLeod, D. E.; Loftis, David L.

doi:10.2737/srs-gtr-016

Cited by 9 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…P values denoted with asterisks (** < 0.01, * < 0.05, . < 0.1), alpha level 0.10 insensitive to landscape-scale variables (Greenberg et al 1997;Keyser and Brown 2016). These two species, however, showed opposite relationships to basal area of the plot, likely reflecting different abilities to survive under competitive stress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Predisposing factors’ effects on mortality of oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) species in mature forests undergoing mesophication in Appalachian Ohio

2021

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Background Mature oak (Quercus spp.) and hickory (Carya spp.) trees are gradually being replaced by more shade-tolerant tree species across the eastern U.S., likely due to fire suppression and increased precipitation. Oaks and hickories are highly valuable to wildlife; therefore, studying their mortality patterns can provide information on the longevity of habitat quality for many animal species. Oak mortality has most often been studied following large oak decline events, but background mortality rates in forests with aging oak and hickory canopies warrant equal attention, especially in the context of widespread oak and hickory regeneration failure. Methods We studied background mortality rates of five oak and one hickory species over a 23–25 year time period (1993–1995 to 2018), using 82 1/20th hectare permanent plots on the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio. We calculated mortality rates based on remeasurement of individual trees for white oak (Quercus alba), chestnut oak (Quercus montana), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black oak (Quercus velutina), scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), and pignut hickory (Carya glabra). For each of these species other than scarlet oak, we also modeled the relationships of mortality probability with a priori topographic, soil, stand structural, and individual tree covariates, using a mixed-effects logistic regression framework. Results The species with the highest mortality rate was scarlet oak (61.3%), followed by northern red oak (41.4%), black oak (26.7%), pignut hickory (23.9%), white oak (23.4%), and chestnut oak (19.1%). In our models, northern red oak mortality was associated with more mesic slope positions, shallower solums, more acidic soils, and older stand ages. Pignut hickory and chestnut oak mortality rates were associated with higher basal areas on the plot, while white oak mortality showed the opposite pattern. Conclusions Our data suggest that red oak subgenus trees in mature forests of our area will become increasingly uncommon relative to white oak subgenus trees, as the result of higher mortality rates likely related to the shorter lifespans of these species. Particularly vulnerable areas may include more mesic topographic positions, shallower or more acidic soil, and older stands. Since maintaining oak subgenus diversity is beneficial to wildlife diversity in the eastern U.S., managers in areas with extensive mature mixed-oak forests could choose to favor the red oak subgenus when conducting silvicultural treatments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Predisposing factors’ effects on mortality of oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) species in mature forests undergoing mesophication in Appalachian Ohio

2021

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“…Recognising the need to expand initiatives to protect and define old-growth beyond the PNW, the National Old-Growth Task Group was created by the USDA Forest Service in 1988. The National Task Group influenced the recognition of old-growth as a distinct type of forest with unique associated ecological, social, and economic values by recommending that the USDA Forest Service declare it a formal forest resource, which was approved in the form of a national policy in 1989 (Greenberg, 1997). Most importantly, the National Old-Growth Task Group shaped how old-growth was defined across the US, and ultimately around the world, by developing the 'Generic Definition and Description of Old-Growth Forests'.…”

Section: Key Messagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most importantly, the National Old-Growth Task Group shaped how old-growth was defined across the US, and ultimately around the world, by developing the 'Generic Definition and Description of Old-Growth Forests'. It was conceived as a reference for uniformly defining interim definitions of old-growth forests in all US forest types (Greenberg, 1997), later to be refined and used for regional inventories by the Forest Service in the early 1990s (USDA Forest Service, 1993). The Generic Definition, which described forests in "later stages of stand development", was based on the research of old-growth forests in the PNW (e.g., Franklin et al, 1981).…”

Section: Key Messagementioning

confidence: 99%

Protecting old-growth forests in Europe - a review of scientific evidence to inform policy implementation

O’Brien¹,

Schuck²,

Fraccaroli³

et al. 2021

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CH 1 | Objectives and methodological approach 13 CH 5 | Associated benefits, consequences, and potential trade-offs of old-growth forest protection and development of old-growth forest attributes 71Key Messages:• Biodiversity conservation in integrative forest management systems can bring multiple ecological benefits, as well as benefits to the forest manager/owner and society, but can also carry opportunity costs for the landowner.

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“…These forests are not defined or identified by a single attribute, but a combination of several factors may serve as important indicators. There is a wide variability and combination of features exhibited in old-growth forests, and the features do not simply 'add-up' as the sum of a series of rigid criteria (Greenberg et al, 1997). Instead of applying strict dichotomous decisions on determining oldgrowth, there is a strong tendency to apply a gradual scale (index of old-growthness or OGI) to indicate the extent to which a forest or stand meets specific criteria thresholds or approximates certain reference values (Kimmins, 2003).…”

Section: Symbols and Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on literature, the most often used indicators and descriptors of old-growth are given below (Barton and Keeton, 2018;Bauhus et al, 2009;Buchwald, 2015;Burrascano et al, 2013;Frelich and Reich, 2003;Gilg, 2005;Greenberg et al, 1997;Hayward, 1991;Hilbert and Wiensczyk, 2007;Hunter, 1989;Kaufmann et al, 1992;Kimmins, 2003;Uhlig et al, 2001; USDA Forest service, 1992.; Wells et al, 1998;Wirth et al, 2009;Ziaco et al, 2012).…”

Section: Symbols and Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status and development of old-growth elements and biodiversity during secondary succession of unmanaged temperate forests

Vandekerkhove

2019

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Woord Vooraf'Allez, het is er dan toch nog van gekomen!' hoor ik sommigen zeggen. Inderdaad, dit proefschrift was een werk van (zeer) lange adem, 10 jaar om precies te zijn. Met horten en stoten ging het dan weer even vooruit, om daarna voor een half jaar of langer stil te liggen. Mijn ambitie was om het vóór mijn 50ste verjaardag af te werken, maar dat is net niet gelukt. Ik wil dan ook beginnen met mijn promotor Professor Kris Verheyen te bedanken, niet alleen voor zijn deskundige en motiverende coaching, maar in de eerste plaats voor zijn engelengeduld, zeker wanneer ik weer eens een deadline die ik mezelf had opgelegd, schromelijk had overschreden. Omgekeerd moest ik echter nooit lang wachten op feedback: binnen de kortste keren was het manuscript nagelezen, en voorzien van motiverende suggesties, correcties en commentaren die er altijd 'boenk' op waren. Een betere promotor had ik me dus niet kunnen inbeelden. Merci, Kris! Vervolgens wens ik ook het management van het INBO te bedanken, in het bijzonder onze administrateur-generaal Prof. Maurice Hoffmann, die mij de mogelijkheid heeft geboden om een deel van mijn werktijd aan dit doctoraat te spenderen. Iin het bijzonder de zes maanden 'sabbatical' waar ik kon van gebruik maken om het proefschrift af te werken waren welgekomen en eigenlijk onontbeerlijk. Tegelijk ook dank aan mijn huidige en vroegere teamleiders Gerald Louette en Geert Deblust, voor hun steun en aanmoedigingen. Geen doctoraat zonder data, geen data zonder veldwerk, geen veldwerk zonder veldwerkteam. Dank aan Peter Van de Kerckhove, Marc Esprit, Stefaan Goessens en Bart Christiaens; altijd secuur en volledig, zelfkritisch en gedreven. Dank voor de vele uren in de lentezon, maar ook in de ijzige vrieskou, of bakkend in de auto in de file. Jullie werk wordt ongelooflijk geapprecieerd. Ook het team dat de eerste opmetingen deed in Zoniën: Koen, Peter, Paul, Bart, Danny, Seppe, dank dat we jullie dataset mochten adopteren en valoriseren. Merci ook aan het INBO-labo voor de uitgevoerde bodemanalyses. 'Du point de vue scientifique le but primordial des réserves est de permettre l'étude de l'évolution des associations, cette grandiose evolution de nos forêts, quelles qu'en soient les modalités, constituerait une donnée fondamentale pour le biologiste comme pour le forestier. (…) Il serait grand temps d'entreprendre chez nous les études de biosociologie, études très longues qui exigent la coordination et la continuation des travaux de plusieurs générations de chercheurs. Or, seules les réserves intangibles peuvent assurer la realization d'un tel oeuvre. Dans ces sortes de parcelles d'expérience, des diverses disciplines biologiques pourraient collaborer à une mission de fierté et d'intérêt national.(…) Tôt ou tard, de telles études s'imposeront chez nous avec le progrès des scéances.

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An Old-Growth Definition for Western and Mixed Mesophytic Forests

Cited by 9 publications

References 26 publications

Predisposing factors’ effects on mortality of oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) species in mature forests undergoing mesophication in Appalachian Ohio

Predisposing factors’ effects on mortality of oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) species in mature forests undergoing mesophication in Appalachian Ohio

Protecting old-growth forests in Europe - a review of scientific evidence to inform policy implementation

Status and development of old-growth elements and biodiversity during secondary succession of unmanaged temperate forests

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