Basic information is needed on historical disturbance patterns and influences on ecosystem processes (Problem 1). Sustainable management of these forests for a variety of land uses is complicated by an incomplete understanding of complex ecosystems and of the role of natural and human-induced disturbance in their structure and functioning. For this reason, more information is needed on ecosystem processes, silvicultural alternatives and forest management practices which will promote the sustainability of these forests for growth of timber, for recreational use, for provision of high quality water, and as habitat for a variety of wildlife and plant species.

The origin and development of existing forest stands are varied, having been influenced by a number of different disturbances--including fire, wind, insects, clearing by native Americans and timber harvesting. The pattern of historical disturbances is not well documented, yet an understanding of past disturbance is critical for understanding why the forests exist as they do today, and how to manage these and future forests sustainably.

In order to predict the consequences of various stressors, basic quantitative information is needed about important ecosystem processes, such as hydrological processes, nutrient cycling and energy transfers, and the impacts of both chronic stresses and disturbances on these processes (Problem 2). In addition to historical disturbances, these ecosystems are currently subjected to a variety of stresses, from intense recreational use to high levels of air pollution. Because central Appalachian forests currently receive some of the country's highest loadings of air pollutants, concern exists about the impacts of air pollution on forest and water resources, particularly effects of elevated ozone concentration on vegetation, and effects of elevated sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen deposition on soil and water. Although sulfur loads are expected to decrease significantly as a result of recent Clean Air Legislation, nitrogen deposition is expected to increase, creating concerns about the effects of nitrogen saturation on ecosystems. These concerns include changes in decomposition processes, cation leaching from soil and consequent soil acidification, possible contamination of groundwater by nitrate and metals, and long-term changes in forest productivity.

To sustainably manage these central Appalachian forests, protect valuable aquatic and riparian habitat, and maintain high water quality with these possibly interacting stresses requires an understanding of hydrologic processes, soil and water chemistry, and ecological relationships. Water is an integrating component of these ecosystems as it moves through all parts of an ecosystem, from the organismal to the landscape level. Water is also a precious commodity, one which can be particularly susceptible to environmental degradation from the ever increasing pressures of competing land uses and growing human population.

Efficient and ecologically sound silvicultural alternatives must be developed to meet complex management objectives and provide for sustainable production and availability of many forest benefits (Problem 3). Diverse stand conditions and complex management objectives present major challenges to silviculturists in central Appalachian forests. The region covers 23 million acres and is characterized by high variability in site productivity, accessibility, ownership patterns, and land-use history There is increasing demand for a variety of non-commodity forest benefits that may conflict with current practices used to harvest, regenerate, and grow high-quality timber and which require innovative silvicultural approaches. Silvicultural guidelines for complex combinations of stand conditions and objectives are lacking, mainly because information is not available to fully understand the effect of stand treatments on the production and quality of timber and other forest benefits. Research will develop sound silvicultural alternatives to traditional management practices. Another priority area of research is defining the dynamics of herbaceous vegetation and wildlife habitat associated with various cutting practices. With updated results from ongoing silvicultural studies and key information from new studies, reliable guidelines can be developed that address the complex management problems encountered in the Appalachian region.

Silviculturists need information on stand dynamics from long-term studies to prescribe efficient and sustainable forest management regimes. Research is needed to define economic and environmental consequences of an array of management practices. Data from long-term studies can reveal trends in species composition, tree quality development, stand structure, volume production rates, and harvesting feasibility that directly affect current and future economic efficiency.

Research is also needed to better understand how to establish and develop desired regeneration at appropriate times. Natural reproduction in managed Appalachian hardwood stands is usually abundant. However, obtaining adequate reproduction of a target species, such as northern red oak on mesic sites, can be quite difficult. Continued research to isolate the factors that affect regeneration of target species will contribute to the development of sustainable management regimes.

We need to develop guidelines for a variety of management and operation practices and develop tools to monitor, evaluate and mitigate impacts on soil productivity, water quality and quantity (Problem 4). Many activities, including forest management and forest operation activities, can affect the health and productivity of forest ecosystems. Provisions of the Clean Water Act, and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) are designed to minimize the undesirable effects of forest management and operational activities on water quality. Long-term evaluation of BMPs is needed to insure that they accomplish the desired end result despite meteorological and climatic variability. Identifying cost-effective methods of implementing BMP's and applying low-impact harvesting technology would also encourage their adoption by the forest industry. Monitoring activities have to date been limited to highly controlled research areas and predominantly to forest operation activities. As forest management expands to include an increasing array of land uses and management techniques, research on these land uses and management tools must also expand.

Mission Problem

To manage the Fernow Experimental Forest and to provide data essential to the formulation, development and testing of both long-term and short-term research. This research work unit has been involved in silvicultural, watershed, and forest operations research on the Fernow Experimental Forest since 1948. The data records which have accrued represent unique resources which become more valuable with time. Studies are designed to cover 20-40 years or more.

RWU-NE-4353 | Publications | NE-4353 Staff