Uneven-Aged Management After a Half-Century of Research on the Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia

摘要: Uneven-age management in forestry refers to a system of that periodically selects individual trees or small groups for harvest. In general, the concept uneven-age entails sustained yield forest products while maintaining continuous cover. North America, interest grew second half twentieth century after most old-growth forests had been harvested. West Virginia, and its surrogates have studied intensively since 1948 at Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest. The is located Allegheny Mountains Central Appalachian Broadleaf has characteristics both mixed-oak northern hardwood forests, depending on site characteristics. stands managed with type known as “single-tree selection,” only those species capable developing reduced sunlight conditions thrived. Concerns increased dominance these so-called shade-tolerant would lead lower productivity not validated. It appears managing stocking level, size number harvesting, helped sustain higher than expected levels wood production carbon storage. Economically, uneven-age-managed produced periodic revenue resulted net present values either clearcut unharvested stands, and, unlike more exploitive procedures, did deplete residual stand value. Unexpected insights into ecology also were realized by carefully studying response treatments benefits long-term research are discussed.