Modeling old-growth forest management in upland oak stands in the Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge, and Piedmont, USA

Abstract

Old-growth upland oak stands and younger, managed stands of the same site and type were measured in the Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge, and Piedmont provinces of Virginia and Pennsylvania in an effort to characterize species composition and canopy structure. A computer-based ecosystem/gap model was used to simulate silvicultural manipulations in the younger stands that will reproduce older forest characteristics. Expanding current old-growth stand area by utilizing neighboring managed stands will allow private landowners to meet management needs and enable federal agencies to meet old-growth forest quotas. NR - 3 PU - SOC AMER FORESTERS PI - WASHINGTON PA - 5400 GROSVENOR LANE, WASHINGTON, DC 20014 USA