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Viewing: PA Regeneration Study

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Forest Inventory & Analysis Program
11 Campus Boulevard
Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA
19073-3294

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Pennsylvania Regeneration Study

Past studies have suggested that advance regeneration is often lacking in stands across Pennsylvania, and that oak regeneration is especially rare. With over half of the State's timberland in financially mature sawtimber stands, the regeneration issue has moved to the forefront of discussion about long-term resource sustainability.

To better address the issue, a Pilot Study of regeneration measurements was conducted during FIA's 2000 field season. The study provided recommendations on efficient sampling methods for assessing regeneration adequacy and estimating numbers of seedlings per acre.

Beginning with the 2001 field season, the Bureau of Forestry is funding the Pennsylvania Regeneration Study, which uses the recommended approach to evaluate regeneration statewide. A subpanel of FIA sample plots is being measured during the leaf-on months from June through August. All established tree seedlings at least two inches tall are being tallied by species, seedling source, and height class. In addition, other understory vegetation is being measured.

Oak Regeneration
Successful oak regeneration can become
established under the right conditions

Specific research questions to be answered are:

  1. What are the abundance, composition, and quality of advance regeneration?

  2. What are the abundance, composition, and quality of regeneration following major disturbance?

  3. What are the extent and composition of other understory vegetation?

  4. What is the status of regeneration of oak and other key species?

Once the first 5-year cycle of inventory plots is completed, the regeneration data can be used to address these questions and provide longer-term monitoring of regeneration.

Inventory
FIA foresters learn to use the "tug test"
to evaluate regeneration

The manual for Pennsylvania's regeneration assessment (MS-Word document) is available.

Cooperating in this research are:

  • U.S. Forest Service Research Work Unit NE-4152
    Forest ecosystems of the Allegheny Plateau
    Warren PA
  • U.S. Forest Service Research Work Unit NE-4557
    Ecology and Management of Oak Dominated Forests
    Morgantown WV
  • Penna. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
    Bureau of Forestry
    Harrisburg PA

For additional information, contact Will McWilliams.

 


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