Forests are some of the most ecologically diverse and dense habitats on the planet. Research shows that the endophyte community, or the fungi, bacteria, and viruses within a forest ecosystem is highly diverse. Fungal endophytes are defined as fungi that live within the tissues of host plants. Relationships between fungal...
The effects of fire on above-ground forest systems have been extensively studied. However, research on fire effects on belowground processes is lacking. While the soil microbiome is understood to be vital to conifer growth and regeneration, the complexity of soils means that research on the topic has largely been accomplished...
Increased atmospheric carbon emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane acerbate climate change through carbon cycle disruption. Riparian areas offer substantial ecosystem services such as water filtration, slowing and cooling, and as is being discovered, a significant carbon sink. Total percent carbon and carbon stocks in restored riparian areas...
Public lands in the Pacific Northwest are managed for multiple uses including timber production, recreation and aesthetic value, maintaining wildlife habitat, conserving native species, and carbon storage. Wildfires impact large areas encompassing broad environmental conditions. Interactions among underlying environmental gradients and alteration of overstory competition by fire of varying severities...
Previous studies have utilized different techniques (e.g., contingent valuation and travel cost methods) to understand users and non-users willingness to pay for natural resources, including their use of recreation areas. These techniques enable the calculation of public support, demand, and potential revenue that may influence future policy, conservation methods, land...
Laser Scanning represents a new opportunity in forestry to effect meaningful change in the methods used for collection and analysis of inventory data. With the ability to collect spatial information in 360 degrees, while fluidly tracking the sensor and building the final point cloud, large tracks of terrestrial LiDAR based...
Douglas-fir provides social, economic, and ecological benefits in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). In addition to timber, forests support abundant plant and animal biodiversity and provide socioeconomic viability for many rural communities. Products derived from Douglas-fir account for approximately 17% of the U.S. lumber output with an estimated value of $1.9...