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Managing Douglas-fir Mortality: Case Studies from Western Oregon

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_projects/zc77sx82f

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  • An increase in frequency and severity of hot, dry summers has been associated with a dramatic shift in the coniferous forests of western Oregon’s valleys, especially on the privately-owned properties along the low-elevation edges of these valleys. Various conifer species, including Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), are declining in these forests, leaving many landowners in need of new options for managing their properties. I visited five properties with forests across a wide range of site and stand characteristics that contained recent conifer mortality and interviewed landowners to collect information about their forest’s ecological conditions, conifer mortality patterns, and the landowners’ values and goals for the property. I used this information to create a management decision-making tool based on a list of questions that, when answered by a landowner with forest dieback, will provide the landowner with feasible management options for that property. For each case study, I demonstrated the process of answering each question and provided a summary of the resulting management options based on those answers. The question responses varied greatly, depending on landowner objectives and values, property size, and ecological conditions. This decision-making tool addresses only a subset of issues that small private landowners face; other landowners may have concerns that are not presented here. This set of questions could provide a strong base for future, more comprehensive tools to help landowners across various ecosystems and societies make responsible management decisions to address increasing climate-induced forest mortality. However, as with any generic tool that does not account for specific issues, such as local marketing challenges, insects and disease issues, the suggestions should only be viewed as general suggestions. Landowners may want to consult with a natural resource professional to obtain a full understanding of all implications before implementing any substantial management options.
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  • Intellectual Property (patent, etc.)
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  • 2021-12-22 to 2024-01-23

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