Diameter Caps for Thinning Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests: Viewpoints, Effects, and Tradeoffs

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2006

Publication Title

Journal of Forestry

Volume

104

Issue

8

First page number:

407

Last page number:

414

Abstract

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

Keywords

Ecological restoration; Ecosystem management; Forests and forestry; Forest management; Forest thinning; Fuel reduction (Wildfire prevention); Ponderosa pine; Restoration ecology; Southwest; New; Treatment prescription

Disciplines

Forest Management | Forest Sciences | Plant Sciences

Language

English

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