Journal of Forestry

Bettinger, Pete; Merry, Krista; Fei, Songlin; Weiskittel, Aaron; Ma, Zhao

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac028pmid: N/A

Key components of a digital forestry program (digital tools, databases, and decision-support systems) can be of great importance in the management of forests today. A general lack of knowledge of the needs of forest managers and landowners for components of digital forestry has been hypothesized. A survey regarding digital forestry tools was conducted of registered foresters from five USA states (Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and North Carolina). Registered foresters may be private landowners or those working for organizations that meet the requirements for licensure in a state. Of the registered foresters who identified as nonindustrial private landowners, roughly half currently do not use digital technologies for forest management efforts. Of the registered foresters who identified as employees of forestry organizations, about 80% use digital technology in the management of their organization’s forests. Geographic information systems technology was the most important, followed by inventory systems, databases, and field-ready smartphone applications. Those registered foresters who had not used digital technologies in the past suggested that their usefulness for the management of their property and their lack of awareness of potential options were likely reasons for not using digital technologies.Study Implications: From surveying five eastern states in the United States, we found that forest landowners are not current users of technology, whereas those associated with forest organizations are more apt to use technologies when managing their forests. Desirable technologies used by both private landowners and forestry organizations include geographic information systems and smartphone applications, whereas those working for forestry organizations also desired inventory systems and databases. Current technology gaps were also identified.

Arenas, Aaron A; Spence, Porché L; Nilon, Charles H; Leggett, Zakiya H

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac024pmid: N/A

Overall interest and involvement in forestry is relatively low for students of color compared to other STEM programs. This exploratory study aims to further understand the reasons graduate students of color in a National Needs Fellowship (NNF) program decide to pursue a career in forestry. Initial survey data showed that graduate students of color are motivated by pursuing specific forestry topics in the field while also having differing expectations with regard to career and financial opportunities. The results of this study could provide ideas on opportunities NNF-funded and other programs can take to further support diversity in the field of forestry; however, more research is needed.Study ImplicationsGiven the results of this pilot study, it is important to note that students of color who accept a graduate fellowship do so with goals of exploring a particular interest in the field of forestry. An assumption also exists that their degrees and experiences in certain graduate fellowship programs will yield long-term benefits, such as employment opportunities and high salaries. However, additional information would be helpful in strengthening the results of this study, which could include increasing the number of participants for more quantitative data or collecting qualitative data to gather additional details and information on the survey responses.

Kashian, Daniel M; Arenas, Aaron A

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac017pmid: N/A

Saginaw Forest in Ann Arbor, Michigan, includes the second-oldest eastern white pine plantation in the United States, with pioneering thinning experiments among the oldest in the country. With no additional silvicultural treatments occurring since at least the 1950s, we report on the current condition of four planting lots near their century mark to provide silvicultural, cultural, and historical perspectives. Stand density and tree diameter in 2017 were similar across the four lots, all having a significant number of trees > 50 cm diameter at breast height. Tree ring widths suggest that diameter growth was responsive to thinning treatments that occurred before 1955. Today, management geared towards site preservation as a cultural and historical landmark, with an emphasis on intensive invasive species and hardwood ingrowth control and native tree species regeneration, are likely more appropriate than a focus on silviculture.Study ImplicationsSaginaw Forest in Ann Arbor, Michigan contains the second-oldest eastern white pine plantation in the United States. It underwent pioneering forest thinning experiments that pre-dated similar experiments in the oldest eastern white pine plantation at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Silvicultural treatments have not occurred since the 1950s, but the effects of historical thinning treatments are evident today across four planting lots. We summarize the current conditions of this important forestry site, noting a serious threat by invasive species and hardwood ingrowth that should be targeted as a means of preserving this important cultural and historical landmark.

McGrath Novak, Katie; McCaffrey, Sarah; Schultz, Courtney A

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac026pmid: N/A

Researchers and practitioners often emphasize the importance of effective community engagement around forest management projects to address possible barriers to implementation related to a lack of social acceptance. Using qualitative methods, we examined a public outreach program to understand the goals and perceptions of those providing and receiving information about forest management. We found that many community members were initially drawn to learn about wildfire risk mitigation, but their informational needs shifted toward broader forest ecology over time, suggesting that communication strategies and topics must also evolve over time. Some common terms used by land management professionals were unclear to public audiences, sometimes leading to feelings of dissatisfaction with outreach. One-on-one meetings and experiential group learning were perceived by information providers and community members to be useful strategies for outreach. Our findings can be used to improve ongoing outreach in this study area and inform similar efforts elsewhere.Study Implications: We interviewed community members and land management professionals to understand what they believe to be effective forms of public outreach related to prescribed fire. We found that community members’ goals for learning changed over time, requiring outreach efforts to cover a range of topics and strategies. Community members were unfamiliar with some agency jargon, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction with outreach. One-on-one meetings and experiential group learning were widely considered to be the most useful outreach strategies. Our work can be applied to improve similar outreach programs in other areas in the future.

Belval, Erin; McCaffrey, Sarah; Finney, Trevor; Calkin, David; Greer, Shane

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac032pmid: N/A

In the 2020 fire season, the fire management community developed and tested a wide range of new practices to meet challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. To better understand the effectiveness of different innovations and which should be considered for more permanent use, we surveyed Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) superintendents in January 2021. We focused on identifying innovations that, regardless of COVID-19, the IHCs would want to keep and why, as well as those that proved problematic. The survey focused on paperwork, briefings, and fire camp and incident command post setup. Results found clear benefits from many of the changes to operational efficiency and crew health and wellbeing; challenges were generally tied to logistical and communication issues. The results of this survey speak to the logistics of running large incident command operations and could be applied both outside the US and outside the field of wildland fire management.Study Implications: There may be meaningful benefits beyond mitigation of COVID-19 spread for continuing to use virtual paperwork, virtual briefings, and dispersed camp setups while supporting large fire suppression operations. Operational efficiency was seen as a clear benefit of many of these changes, with the often-mentioned advantage to a particular practice enabling crews to spend more time on the fireline. The new practices also appear to contribute to overall crew physical health. However, the benefits to crew health, efficiency, and effectiveness will need to be assessed against the increased logistical support required from incident management teams.

Dockry, Michael J; Hoagland, Serra J; Leighton, Adrian D; Durglo, James R; Pradhananga, Amit

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac030pmid: N/A

Native American and Alaska Native tribes manage millions of acres of land and are leaders in forestry and fire management practices despite inadequate and inequitable funding. Native American tribes are rarely considered as research partners due to historically poor relationships with non-native scientists, tribal mistrust of research, differences between Indigenous values and scientific methods, and low Indigenous representation at research institutions. Understanding tribal research needs is critical to foster successful research partnerships with underserved tribal communities. This study expands on a 2011 tribal research needs assessment with a survey to identify tribal natural resource professionals’ research needs, access to research findings, and interest in participating in research. Information needs identified in our survey includes forest health, water quality, culturally significant species, workforce and tribal youth development, cultural importance of water, and invasive species. Additionally, postfire response and valuation, resilience and long-term forestry, protecting and curating tribal data, and Indigenous burning were more important research needs for tribal members than for nontribal members. This study can inform forestry research planning efforts and establish ­research priorities and collaborations that are aligned with needs identified by tribal natural resource managers.Study Implications: There is a growing desire to broaden forestry research to support tribal forest management. This study shows that tribal research priorities include forest health, water quality, culturally significant species, workforce development/training, tribal youth development, cultural importance of water, and invasive species. Additionally, postfire response and valuation, resilience and long-term forestry, protecting and curating tribal data, and Indigenous burning were ranked of higher importance by tribal members than nontribal members. This study can inform federal research entities, universities, and natural resource management agencies in planning and establishing research priorities that are aligned with the needs identified by tribal resource managers.

Cerveny, Lee K; McLain, Rebecca J; Banis, David; Helmer, Matthew

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac023pmid: N/A

Health benefits of outdoor recreation have been broadly demonstrated and land managers recognize the equity implications of providing safe and inclusive outdoor spaces. Data on public lands visitation and outdoor participation show that Hispanic recreationists are less likely to engage in outdoor leisure than White persons. Early studies of outdoor preferences of Hispanic persons identified a desire for large-group settings and social activities. To update our understanding of outdoor recreation needs, preferences, and constraints, we collaborated with a Latinx organization in Portland, Oregon (USA). We collaboratively designed three focus groups that combined structured engagement, cognitive sorting, and participatory mapping to elicit desired outdoor activities and settings and identify constraints and opportunities. Results suggest that urban Hispanic recreationists seek a variety of human-powered, motorized, and contemplative outdoor activities and gravitate toward familiar settings. Predominant barriers relate to a lack of experience with outdoor activities and gear and lack of exposure to public land settings.Study Implications: Early studies about Hispanic outdoor participation emphasized preferences for social activities in group settings. Urban Hispanic recreationists in our study sought a diversity of human-powered, motorized, and contemplative outdoor activities. Guided group outings and Spanish-language materials were identified as steps to increase participation. Barriers included a lack of awareness of prospective recreation sites, the absence of recreation partners, and unfamiliarity with outdoor gear. Agencies seeking to enhance access may gain the greatest efficiencies by enabling guided group events providing gear, instruction, and companionship. Outreach efforts in Spanish detailing information about setting and safety features would be well received.

Hollins, Katherine; Chawla, Purnima; Butler, Sarah M

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac029pmid: N/A

Engaging family forest owners in best practices for land management is essential for maintaining and improving the health of our forests. Yet few natural resource professionals have formal training in how to reach and persuade landowners. The Tools for Engaging Landowners Effectively (TELE) program sought to address this via a program of workshops, which train natural resource professionals to engage and influence landowners by using social marketing principles and techniques. TELE evaluation surveys found that (1) TELE workshop participants understood social marketing concepts and appreciated their relevance and value, (2) they were able to apply these concepts in their work, and (3) those who applied these concepts saw improved project outcomes. Based on these results, we argue that more natural resource professionals should be trained and empowered to use social marketing techniques for engaging landowners and other audiences.Study Implications: Forestry and conservation professionals are often tasked with engaging landowners to help solve conservation challenges, but they rarely have the training to do so effectively. Surveys of professionals trained in social marketing (using commercial marketing principles to reach a public good) showed that the workshops were considered useful, and projects implemented using the learned techniques showed a substantial improvement over standard outreach methods. Based on these data, we call for more widespread and comprehensive adoption of social marketing techniques for engaging landowners and describe what that would entail.

Judice, Abbie; Gordon, Jason S; Brodbeck, Arnold

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac033pmid: N/A

Research about the broad range of ecological, social, and economic benefits urban forests provide communities trees has expanded significantly and helped provide justification for protecting and enhancing urban forests. However, an empirical understanding of risks and liabilities is limited despite an abundance of risk research in other disciplines. Employing Alabama as a case study, this research examined municipal employees’ perceptions of factors, including legal liability, influencing actions towards urban tree risk mitigation. Qualitative interviews revealed attitudes and practices regarding municipal responsibility towards public tree management. Cities were unlikely to implement risk assessments to provide a foundation for tree maintenance. As a result, there was limited adaptive and integrative governance to handle risk in the community forest. Results are implicated in the broader narrative of community sustainability and resilience, particularly management of complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity of urban forest risk and benefits.Study Implications: Large-population cities were equipped to address tree maintenance, implement best management practices, and focus on preventative risk management. However, all cities were limited in capacity to conduct comprehensive tree risk assessments and communicate with residents about proper tree selection and care to reduce risk of failure. Whereas this has negative implications for community resilience, a number of small and medium-sized communities demonstrated opportunities to address urban forest health such as harnessing employee champions, local sources of expertise, and encouraging volunteerism. Municipal tree programs should not overlook community assets and culture in the goal to reduce risk while maximizing tree benefits.

Loehle, Craig; Hulcr, Jiri; Smith, Jason A; Munro, Holly L; Fox, Tom

doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvac031pmid: N/A

Invasive species are a growing global threat to forest ecosystems. In North America, previous invasions have functionally eliminated the American chestnut (Castanea dentata), a keystone and commercially important species in eastern North American forests, and currently threaten to eliminate other important species, such as ash (Fraxinus spp.), redbay (Persea borbonia), and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Invasive species, particularly invasive insects, pathogens, and plants, threaten forest ecosystem integrity and put commercial forestry at risk. However, as the threat from invasive species grows due to expanding international trade, the scientific workforce with specialized expertise and training to mitigate current threats and, more importantly, avoid future threats, has been declining over the past 40 years. Research funding and administrative capacity to respond have also not kept pace with increased frequency and risk of species introductions. Herein, we review the nature of this ongoing challenge by examining contributing factors, including documenting trends in expertise and funding. In addition, we make recommendations for resources needed and information gaps that should be addressed and justify the need for increased support for basic biological research and further exploration of techniques to identify and treat potential threats (e.g., sentinel studies).Study Implications: The US faces an invasive species crisis. Major tree species are already being decimated. The forest products industry relies primarily on a hand full of species. A new insect or disease could thus decimate the industry. We show that the pace of introductions has accelerated due to greater and faster shipping volume. Port screening and sanitation need considerable improvement, especially for live plants, which harbor insects and pathogens. Interior monitoring and overseas sentinal studies need enhancement for better detection of threats. More research and control staff are needed at government and university posts, especially to enable rapid response. Finally, research is needed on new detection and control technologies.