Policies to Encourage Early Successional Ecosystems on Forest Sites in Oregon:

What Might We Do?

K. Norman JohnsonDebora L. Johnson

Early successional ecosystems on forest sites are relatively rare

In Oregon’s Coast Range:

- currently less than 3% of forest

- projected to be less than 2% of forest in future

- most will be provided by State forests

Source: Spies, et al. and Johnson, et al. 2007. Ecological Applications

Focus of my talk

Policy and management challenges of increasing early sucessional ecosystems on

federal and private forests

Policy Changes on Federal lands

Goal: create more diverse early seral ecosystems

Three stage approach:

1) Leave burned areas alone

2) Demonstrate regeneration harvest strategies that create diverse early seral

3) Emulate large-scale disturbance on the national forests through regeneration harvest of plantations

Baker,  et al. 2006 Implementation monitoring: Summary of NWPF regional interagency monitoring results

2. Demonstrate silvicultural strategies that create diverse early seral

• Where and how would we harvest?

• What would be the effect on timber yield?

• Should we plant at all?

Moist National Forest outside Wilderness and roadless areas under NWFP

Moist National Forest outside Wilderness and roadless areas under NWFP where thinning might occur

Moist National Forest outside Wilderness and roadless areas under NWFP where regeneration harvest might occur

Moist BLM forests under NWFP

Moist BLM forest where thinning might occur

Moist BLM forest where regeneration harvest might occur

Northwest Forest Plan Allocation

Age Class Distribution

5-10

11-25

26-40

41-60

61-80

81-120

121-250

Yields Compared to High Intensity Management

• Regeneration harvest: 70-80%– Reduction from legacy trees

• Long-term yield = 30-60%??– Reduction from legacy trees and

nurturing of shrub stage

Regeneration harvest = clearcutting

Public protest(1980s-1990s)

Photos by Steve Reed

Policy Changes on Federal lands

Goal: create more diverse early seral forest

Three stage approach:

1) Leave burned areas alone

2) Demonstrate regeneration harvest strategies that create diverse early seral

3) Emulate large-scale disturbance on the national forests through regeneration harvest of plantations

A typical harvest pattern on federal forests in Oregon

0

5

10

15

20

25

Forest Industry Family Forest State Federal

Hec

tare

s (th

ousa

nds)

Regen Harvest Thinning

Source: Johnson et al. 2007 Ecological Applications

Coast Range Harvest Rates

“One thing is certain: there must be a decided change

in our attitude toward our timber resources… The forest

is a renewable resource. In the interest of the nation

and of the state, Oregon’s forests should be renewed:

and, by all means, there should be as little delay as

possible in making a beginning.”

George W. Peavy, 1929

Source: Oregon’s Commercial Forests, 1929, George W. Peavy

The purpose of the reforestation rules is to ensure that forest tree cover is maintained or re-established after harvest.

Tree Species Suitable for Reforestation

1. The species must be ecologically suited to the planting site;

2. The species must be capable of producing logs, fiber, or other wood products;

Oregon’s Reforestation Rules

ODF, December, 1994

Site Productivity Seedlings <1”dbh

tpa

Cubic Foot Site Class I, II, and IIIDouglas-fir 100 year site index 124 and higher

200/acre

Cubic Foot Site Class IV and VPonderosa pine 100-year site index 64-108

125/acre

Cubic Foot Site Class VIPonderosa pine 100-year site index 40-63

100/acre

Minimum Tree Stocking StandardsOregon Forest Practices Act

In general, a tree will be considered free to grow if:

….

It is taller than, and out-competing, any grass, shrubs, or other trees growing within a 10-foot radius from the tree.

Where are we now?

• Threat of timber famine greatly diminished

• Problems with successful regeneration largely solved

• A forest industry that views wood as a renewable resource

New Regulations?

Possible policy changes---- Private lands

Challenge: create more diverse early seral forest while reducing the regulatory burden/allowing choice

Ideas:

• Remove free-to-grow requirement

• Remove regeneration requirement in its entirety

• Allow substitution of an invasives eradication plan, enhanced wildlife tree plan, or logging debris retention plan

Allow substitution of an invasives eradication plan

Scot’s broom

False-brome in Douglas-fir plantationFalse-brome in Douglas-fir plantation

GradeGradePond ValuePond Value

$/MBF$/MBF

2S2S 540540

3S3S 490490

4S4S 465465

3S (12+)3S (12+) 220220

SCSC 185185

UtilityUtility 4545

(ODF 4th Qtr. 2006)

Allow substitution of an enhanced wildlife tree plan

Potential slogans

• Forced regeneration = tyranny

• Protect the freedom of shrubs and forbs

• No death panels for little plants