Consequences of Biomass Harvesting on Forest Condition and Productivity in the Northern Rocky Mountains

Author

Woongsoon Jang, The University of Montana

Year of Award

2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Name

Forestry

Department or School/College

College of Forestry and Conservation

Committee Chair

Christopher R. Keyes

Commitee Members

David L.R. Affleck, Ragan M. Callaway, John M. Goodburn, Deborah S. Page-Dumroese

Keywords

Coram Experimental Forest, Intensive biomass removal, Long-term Impact, Western larch forest, Woody biomass utilization

Publisher

The University of Montana

Abstract

Emerging public interests to utilize forest woody biomass as an alternative feedstock accompanies a concern about potential nutrient depletion by increased woody biomass extraction. This study was conducted to investigate the long-term impact of intensive biomass utilization on site productivity and forest condition in the northern Rockies. The 1974 Forest Residues Utilization Research and Development Program site at Coram Experimental Forest of western Montana were revisited, and responses from individual tree to ecosystem level were measured. The experiment was designed to address the effect of biomass utilization intensity (high, medium and low) combined with prescribed broadcast burning treatment following conventional regeneration cuttings (i.e. shelterwood, group selection, and clearcut).

Recommended Citation

Jang, Woongsoon, "Consequences of Biomass Harvesting on Forest Condition and Productivity in the Northern Rocky Mountains" (2015). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4597.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4597