Developing Silviculture Practices Developing Silviculture Practices through Large-scale Studies:through Large-scale Studies:

Some Perspective from the West-sideSome Perspective from the West-side

Paul D. AndersonPaul D. Anderson

Land and Watershed Management ProgramLand and Watershed Management Program

Pacific Northwest Research StationPacific Northwest Research Stationpdanderson@fs.fed.uspdanderson@fs.fed.us

OutlineOutline

Definition of LSSEsDefinition of LSSEs Example findings from west-side LSSEsExample findings from west-side LSSEs Factors that contribute to a collective valueFactors that contribute to a collective value Potential linkages of LSSEs to monitoringPotential linkages of LSSEs to monitoring

Silviculture in theSilviculture in the Ecosystem Management Era Ecosystem Management Era

Broadened ecological, social and economic Broadened ecological, social and economic objectivesobjectives

Alternatives to clearcuttingAlternatives to clearcutting Thinning for structural diversity Thinning for structural diversity Restoration managementRestoration management Intensive SilvicultureIntensive Silviculture

Small Plot StudiesSmall Plot Studies

Experimental units selected for uniformity and Experimental units selected for uniformity and comparability of initial conditionscomparability of initial conditions

Precise implementation of treatmentsPrecise implementation of treatments Results require scaling-up to reflect operational Results require scaling-up to reflect operational

applicationapplication Subject to fall-off in scaling results to larger and Subject to fall-off in scaling results to larger and

more heterogeneous areas and treatmentsmore heterogeneous areas and treatments Cannot be used to evaluate such things as wildlife, Cannot be used to evaluate such things as wildlife,

production and visual effectsproduction and visual effects They may be relevant but commonly limited in scale They may be relevant but commonly limited in scale

of inferenceof inference

Large-Scale Silviculture Experiments (LSSEs)Large-Scale Silviculture Experiments (LSSEs)

Photo: USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station

Photo: Doug Maguire, www.forestryimages.org

Photo: Doug Maguire, www.forestryimages.org

Large-scale Silviculture ExperimentsLarge-scale Silviculture Experiments

Silviculture Silviculture experimentsexperiments conducted at conducted at operational scalesoperational scales RandomizationRandomization ReplicationReplication Unmanipulated references – “controls”Unmanipulated references – “controls”

Statistical rigorStatistical rigor

Large-scale Silviculture ExperimentsLarge-scale Silviculture Experiments

Silviculture experiments conducted at Silviculture experiments conducted at operational operational scalesscales Experimental treatment units similar in size to Experimental treatment units similar in size to

typical management units – generally 10 to 100 actypical management units – generally 10 to 100 ac Long-term – generally greater than 20 yearsLong-term – generally greater than 20 years Inferences directly applicable to operational Inferences directly applicable to operational

management – minimize need to scale-up resultsmanagement – minimize need to scale-up results

Large-scale Silviculture ExperimentsLarge-scale Silviculture Experiments

Joint ventures between researchers and forest Joint ventures between researchers and forest managersmanagers Knowledge and tool developmentKnowledge and tool development DemonstrationDemonstration Learning experiencesLearning experiences

West-side LSSEs:West-side LSSEs:

Examples of What Has Been LearnedExamples of What Has Been Learned We can increase stand heterogeneity through We can increase stand heterogeneity through

silviculture operations silviculture operations

Skips and Gaps

Examples of What Has Been LearnedExamples of What Has Been Learned

Green tree retention levels greater than 15% Green tree retention levels greater than 15% may be needed to protect residual trees, retain may be needed to protect residual trees, retain sensitive species, and gain public acceptancesensitive species, and gain public acceptance

Examples of What Has Been LearnedExamples of What Has Been Learned

Buffers on headwater Buffers on headwater streams provide streams provide amphibian habitat, amphibian habitat, mitigate upslope harvest mitigate upslope harvest effects on microclimate, effects on microclimate, and provide and provide connectivity across the connectivity across the landscapelandscape

Zone

Stream Buffer Upslope

Max

imu

m A

ir T

emp

erat

ure

D

eg

C

0

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32UNTHB1MDB1PAVBMDVBPASRMD

Examples of What Has Been LearnedExamples of What Has Been Learned

Legacy retention and recruitment of down Legacy retention and recruitment of down wood in managed stands benefit ground wood in managed stands benefit ground dwelling organisms dwelling organisms

Factors Contributing to Collective ValueFactors Contributing to Collective Value

Factors Contributing to Collective ValueFactors Contributing to Collective Value

Overarching conceptual framework on which to align Overarching conceptual framework on which to align multidisciplinary studiesmultidisciplinary studies

Increasing structural heterogeneity in young, Increasing structural heterogeneity in young, relatively uniform Douglas-fir forests will lead to relatively uniform Douglas-fir forests will lead to increased biotic diversity and therefore greater increased biotic diversity and therefore greater ecological integrityecological integrity

These young forests can be actively managed to These young forests can be actively managed to achieve some joint distribution of ecological, social achieve some joint distribution of ecological, social and economic benefitsand economic benefits

Factors Contributing to Collective ValueFactors Contributing to Collective Value

Generally strong experimental designGenerally strong experimental design ReplicationReplication RandomizationRandomization Untreated references – “Controls”Untreated references – “Controls”

Factors Contributing to Collective ValueFactors Contributing to Collective Value Common currency response variablesCommon currency response variables

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

100 75 40D 40A 15D 15A

Treatment

Dif

fere

nce

bet

wee

n C

on

tro

l an

d T

reat

men

t

(% c

han

ge

in a

bu

nd

ance

)

BirdsHerbsSalamandersArthropodsMushroomsTrufflesSmall mammalsSaplingsShrubs

Factors Contributing to Collective ValueFactors Contributing to Collective Value Common currency response variablesCommon currency response variables

Number of Studies

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Res

po

nse

Var

iab

le

Vegetation OverstoryVegetation Understory

Lichens, mosses and bryophytesSnags

Down woody materialForest floor

FungiForest Pathology

SoilsMicroclimate

ClimateHydrology/geomorphology

Large mammalsArboreal mammals

Small mammalsBats

BirdsArthropods

Amphibians/ReptilesFish

MollusksSocial Perceptions

Wood ProductionEconomics

Operational FactorsRoads

Factors Contributing to Collective ValueFactors Contributing to Collective Value Broad range of experimental treatmentsBroad range of experimental treatments

1,000 ft

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 9080 100

60

70

80

90

50

100

Treatment-Wide Percent Residual Basal Area (%)

Mat

rix

as P

erce

nt

of

To

tal T

reat

men

t A

rea

(%)

CFS (4a)

DEMO (2a)

DEMO (3a)

DEMO (4a)

DEMO (3b)

STUDS (2a)

STUDS (4a)

STUDS (3a)

YSTDS (2a)

YSTDS (2b)

YSTDS (4a)

UAMP (4a)

CFS (2a)

UAMP (2b)

OHDS(3a-d)

LTEP(5a-d)

FES (3a-b)

DMS_RT (3a)

DMS_IT (3b)

DMS_IT (3a)

DMS_IT (2a)

gap (overstory removed)

patch (unthinned)

10 ac

Controls (1a)

CWS (3a)

CWS (4a)

CFS (5a)

DEMO (4b)

CFS (3a)

CFS (3b)

(unthinned)

CWS (4b-c)

LTEP(3a-b)

UAMP (2a)

Poage and Anderson (2007)

Factors Contributing to Collective ValueFactors Contributing to Collective Value

Broad composite geographic distributionBroad composite geographic distribution

Realizing the Collective Value of LSSEs:Realizing the Collective Value of LSSEs:

Information SynthesisInformation Synthesis Analytical compilation of published findingsAnalytical compilation of published findings Meta-analysis of published findingsMeta-analysis of published findings Joint analysis of primary dataJoint analysis of primary data Bayesian belief networksBayesian belief networks

Example Synthesis:Example Synthesis:Vegetation Response to ThinningVegetation Response to Thinning

Vegetation cover (%)

0 20 40 60 80 100

DMS initialDMS rethinTillamookUAMPYSTDS

Shrubs

Tall Shrubs

Herbs

DMS initialDMS rethinTillamookUAMPYSTDS

DMS initialDMS rethinTillamookUAMPYSTDS

Wilson, Anderson, Puettmann (In Press)

Example Synthesis:Example Synthesis:Vegetation Response to ThinningVegetation Response to Thinning

Wilson, Anderson, Puettmann (In Press)

Unthinned control TALL SHRUB cover (%)

0 20 40 60

Thi

nnin

g tr

eatm

ent T

ALL

SH

RU

B c

over

(%

)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1:1

Unthinned control HERB cover (%)

0 20 40 60 80

Thi

nnin

g tr

eatm

ent H

ER

B c

over

(%

)

0

20

40

60

80

Unthinned control SHRUB cover (%)

0 20 40 60 80 100

Thi

nnin

g tr

eatm

ent S

HR

UB

cov

er (

%)

0

20

40

60

80

100DMS initialDMS rethinTillamookUAMPYSTDS

1:1

Can Research Studies Contribute to Monitoring?Can Research Studies Contribute to Monitoring?

NFMA Requirements…

36.CFR 219.12(k)(1): Quantitative comparison of planned, versus actual, outputs and services

36.CFR 219.12(k)(2): Documentation of the effectiveness of measures and prescriptions

36.CFR 219.12(k)(4): Identifying what should be measured, the frequency of measurement, the precision of measurements, and the time frame for reporting results

36.CFR 219.19(a)(6): Determine population trends of management indicator species in terms of habitat changes.

36.CFR 219.28(a): Identifying research needs

Research Studies and MonitoringResearch Studies and Monitoring

NFMA Requirements…

36.CFR 219.12(k)(1): Quantitative comparison of planned, versus actual, outputs and services

36.CFR 219.12(k)(2): Documentation of the Documentation of the effectiveness of measures and prescriptionseffectiveness of measures and prescriptions

36.CFR 219.12(k)(4): Identifying what should be Identifying what should be measured, the frequency of measurement, the measured, the frequency of measurement, the precision of measurementsprecision of measurements, and the time frame for reporting results

36.CFR 219.19(a)(6): Determine population trends of management indicator species in terms of habitat changes.

36.CFR 219.28(a): Identifying research needsIdentifying research needs

Monitoring vs. ResearchMonitoring vs. Research

`

Treat Treat Treat Treat Treat Treat

Time T T T T

After Before After Before After

No monitoring

-Post-monitoring-No control-No replication

-Pre & post-monitoring-No control-No replication

-Pre & post-monitoring-Control & treatment-No replication

Monitoring – cause and effect cannot be statistically inferred

Before After

-Pre & post-monitoring-Control & treatment-Minimum replication

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

T C

Before After

T

C

T

C

T

C

T

C

T

C

T

C

Research – cause and effect can be statistically

inferred

-Pre & post-monitoring-Control & treatment-Ample replication

T

C

T

C

Research Treatments Linked to Research Treatments Linked to Standards and Guidelines: DEMOStandards and Guidelines: DEMO

Green-tree Retention under the NWFPGreen-tree Retention under the NWFP Retain at least 15 pct of the harvested area as Retain at least 15 pct of the harvested area as

green treesgreen trees Retain 70 pct of those green trees in Retain 70 pct of those green trees in

aggregates 0.2-1.0 ha in sizeaggregates 0.2-1.0 ha in size Retain the remainder as dispersed Retain the remainder as dispersed

structures, either as individual trees or structures, either as individual trees or aggregates <0.2 ha in sizeaggregates <0.2 ha in size

Aggregates and dispersed retention should Aggregates and dispersed retention should include the largest, oldest live trees, include the largest, oldest live trees, decadent or leaning trees, and hard snags in decadent or leaning trees, and hard snags in the unitthe unit

Patches should be retained indefinitelyPatches should be retained indefinitely15

% A

40%

AU

nha

rves

ted

15%

D40

% D

75%

Research Treatments Linked to Research Treatments Linked to Standards and Guidelines:Standards and Guidelines:Density Management StudyDensity Management Study

Riparian Buffers under the NWFPRiparian Buffers under the NWFP Buffers a minimum of 2 Site Potential Tree Heights on fishbearing Buffers a minimum of 2 Site Potential Tree Heights on fishbearing

streamsstreams Buffers a minimum of 1 Site Potential Tree Height on non-fishbearing Buffers a minimum of 1 Site Potential Tree Height on non-fishbearing

streamsstreams

Linking Research and MonitoringLinking Research and Monitoring

Frame research hypotheses to provide proof of Frame research hypotheses to provide proof of conceptconcept

Incorporate standards and guidelines into array of Incorporate standards and guidelines into array of experimental treatmentsexperimental treatments

Enhance local inference through site-level replicationEnhance local inference through site-level replication

Address relevant geographic and temporal scalesAddress relevant geographic and temporal scales

Assess attributes, and using metrics, that correspond Assess attributes, and using metrics, that correspond to regional monitoring guidelines and protocolsto regional monitoring guidelines and protocols

Ongoing and Recent Silviculture Studies in Ongoing and Recent Silviculture Studies in Dry Forests of Oregon and WashingtonDry Forests of Oregon and Washington

Relatively fewRelatively few Span small plot to landscape Span small plot to landscape

scalesscales Expanded List of Response Expanded List of Response

VariablesVariables Tree damage agentsTree damage agents Deer and elk habitat quality and Deer and elk habitat quality and

habitat usehabitat use Ground-water hydrologyGround-water hydrology Slope stabilitySlope stability Nutrient cyclingNutrient cycling Fuels loadsFuels loads Potential fire behaviorPotential fire behavior

ConclusionsConclusions

LSSEs have yielded substantial information regarding LSSEs have yielded substantial information regarding early responses to silvicultural practices such as early responses to silvicultural practices such as green-tree retention and variable density thinninggreen-tree retention and variable density thinning

The collective value of LSSEs can be increased The collective value of LSSEs can be increased through syntheses, but the opportunities to do so vary through syntheses, but the opportunities to do so vary with respect to specific management issues or with respect to specific management issues or ecological and social values of interestecological and social values of interest

Operational-scale research studies may serve in Operational-scale research studies may serve in monitoring if they incorporate relevant metrics and monitoring if they incorporate relevant metrics and scope of inference, and are sustained over appropriate scope of inference, and are sustained over appropriate timeframes. timeframes.