Diameter caps for thinning southwestern ponderosa pine forests: Viewpoints, effects, and tradeoffs

摘要: Upper size limits of trees allowed to be cut, termed diameter caps, have resulted in polarization, litigation, and delays alterations thinning projects many western forests. Using southwestern ponderosa pine forests as an example, we summarize viewpoints on simulate effects caps prescriptions, provide examples ecosystem-level tradeoffs leaving extra during projects. The importance placed versus other ecosystem components primarily differentiates those who support do not. We conclude that may enhance some components, such densities large trees, but they negatively impact nontree components.