Description:
Regression models of height growth and survival were fitted to aggregate data
for trees, protected and not protected from animal damage, that had been
surveyed on Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine plantations in Oregon and
Washington. Animal damage significantly affected both height and survival.
Dynamic programming analysis-using both soil expectation (Se) and allowable
cut effect (ACE) indicators-was used to derive (1) optimal economic regimes
for managing stands with full and depressed stocking levels, (2) management
guidelines for protection expenditure and stand replacement, and (3) physical
impacts on volume yield. At current rates of planting in Oregon and
Washington and at a 3 percent discount rate, animals cause an estimated $60
million annually in damage, reducing the net capitalized value of the timber
resource by $1.8 billion. Likewise, present net worth decreases by 18 percent,
and growth and yield by 13 percent. Several other discount rates showed
different proportional impacts from animal damage.