Positive Impact Forestry : A Sustainable Approach To Managing Woodlands

Thom McEvoy offers a primer of practical information on the management of forest lands with the goal of creating positive impacts on forest ecosystems. Cover......Page 1 About Island Press......Page 3 Title Page......Page 6 Copyrights Page......Page 7 Epigraph......Page 8 Table of Contents......Page 10 Foreword......Page 14 Preface......Page 18 Ch. 1: Forestry's Past Is Prologue......Page 22 Evolution of Forest Use and Management......Page 24 What Is Positive Impact Forestry?......Page 32 Evolution of Forest Conservation and Stewardship......Page 36 Defining Sustainablity......Page 40 An Ecosystem Approach to Managing Forests......Page 43 Ch. 2: Understanding Forest Ecosystems......Page 50 Species Succession and Tolerance......Page 53 Form and Function in Trees......Page 59 Stress and Disturbance in Forests......Page 73 The Hidden Forest of Soils......Page 77 The Importance of Avoiding Injury to Roots......Page 84 Practical Applications of Forest Site Concepts......Page 86 Ch. 3: Creating Disturbances in Forests through Silviculture......Page 92 The Impact of Stocking on Growth......Page 96 Forest Reproduction Methods......Page 102 Trading Timber Volume for Value......Page 109 Evaluating Timber Investments......Page 113 Focusing on Value in Crop Trees......Page 119 Common Silvicultural Misconceptions......Page 123 Ch. 4: Harvesting and Selling Timber......Page 128 The Realm of Forestry Professionals......Page 130 The Nature of Stumpage......Page 138 Knowing When to Harvest......Page 142 Negotiating a Timber Sale......Page 144 Essential Elements of a Timber Sale Contract......Page 146 Trading Timber for Services......Page 152 Ecosystems and Ethics......Page 154 Ch. 5: Positive Impact Harvesting Practices......Page 157 Low-Impact Logging......Page 160 Designing Access That Protects Soils and Streams......Page 164 Safe and Productive Tree-Felling Techniques......Page 176 Alternative Timber Harvesting and Extraction Systems......Page 182 Ch. 6: Managing Forests for Wildlife and Nontimber Products......Page 192 Good Wildlife Management Is Good Forsetry......Page 197 Nontimber Forest Products......Page 200 The Threat of Invasive Exotic Species......Page 204 Ch. 7: The Furture of Forests and Forest Products......Page 213 Forest Regulation......Page 217 Climate-Induced Changes in Forests......Page 220 Green Certification of Forest Practices and Products......Page 223 Forest Prologue......Page 229 Parcelization of Forests and Fragmentation of Purpose......Page 232 Ch. 8: Intergenerational Planning Methods for Forests......Page 237 Estate Planning for Forests......Page 239 Keeping Forests in the Family......Page 241 Conservation Easements and Land Trusts......Page 247 Epilogue......Page 252 Appendix A: Online Resources......Page 258 Appendix B: Forestry-Related Internet Sites of Interest......Page 260 Appendix C: Public Sources of Forestry Assistance......Page 262 Glossary......Page 266 Literature Cited......Page 276 Index......Page 280 Island Press Board of Directors......Page 291 Positive Impact Forestry is a primer for private woodland owners and their managers on managing their land and forests to protect both ecological and economic vitality. Moving beyond the concept of "low impact forestry," Thom McEvoy brings together the latest scientific understanding and insights to describe an approach to managing forests that meets the needs of landowners while at the same time maintaining the integrity of forest ecosystems. "Positive impact forestry" emphasizes forestry's potential to achieve sustainable benefits both now and into the future, with long-term investment superseding short-term gain, and the needs of families -- especially future generations -- exceeding those of individuals. Thom McEvoy offers a thorough discussion of silvicultural basics, synthesizing and explaining the current state of forestry science on topics such as forest soils, tree roots, form and function in trees, and the effects of different harvesting methods on trees, soil organisms, and sites. He also offers invaluable advice on financial, legal, and management issues, ranging from finding the right forestry professionals to managing for products other than timber to passing forest lands and management legacies on to future generations. Positive Impact Forestry helps readers understand the impacts of deliberate human activities on forests and offers viable strategies that provide benefits without damaging ecosystems. It speaks directly to private forest owners and their advisers and represents an innovative guide for anyone concerned with protecting forest ecosystems, timber production, land management, and the long-term health of forests. Named the "Best Forestry Book for 2004" by the National Woodlands Owners Association Annotation "Positive Impact Forestry is a primer for private woodland owners and their managers on managing their land and forests to protect both ecological and economic vitality. Moving beyond the concept of "low impact forestry," Thom McEvoy brings together the latest scientific understanding and insights to describe an approach to managing forests that meets the needs of landowners while at the same time maintaining the integrity of forest ecosystems. "Positive impact forestry" emphasizes forestry's potential to achieve sustainable benefits both now and into the future, with long-term investment superseding short-term gain, and the needs of families--especially future generations--exceeding those of individuals. The author offers a thorough discussion of silvicultural basics, synthesizing and explaining the current state of forestry science on topics such as forest soils, tree roots, form and function in trees, and the effects of different harvesting methods on trees, soil organisms, and sites. He also offers invaluable advice on financial, legal, and management issues, ranging from finding the right forestry professionals to managing for products other than timber to passing forest lands and management legacies on to future generations. "Positive Impact Forestry helps readers understand the impacts of deliberate human activities on forests and offers viable strategies that provide benefits without damaging ecosystems. It speaks directly to private forest owners and their advisers and represents an innovative guide for anyone concerned with protecting forest ecosystems, timber production, land management, and the long-term health of forests I had the good fortune years ago while studying forestry to meet a farmer during a road-trip over spring break.