Title: Ecology payoffs from red alder in southeast Alaska.
Author: Duncan, Sally.
Date: 2004
Source: Science Findings 63. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 5 p.
Description: Clearcutting has been the primary timber management practice in southeast Alaska forests since large-scale commercial forestry began in the 1950s. The dense, even-aged conifer stands that subsequently develop, however, may have undesirable consequences for some nontimber resources, most notably fish and wildlife.
Red alder is frequently established in these young-growth conifer stands and appears to provide different forest structural attributes and improved biodiversity that may mitigate some negative effects of harvesting. However, to date, it has been unclear what the ecological functions of red alder are in these ecosystems. Understanding the ecological role of alder in young stands will help aid restoration and management of young forest ecosystems.
Recent findings from the PNW Research Station in Alaska, funded by the StationÂ’s Wood Compatibility Initiative, suggest that red alder may leave a legacy of more open stand conditions, increase forest understory plant and wildlife biodiversity and abundance, and enhance productivity and biological function of headwater streams.
Keywords:
View and Print this Publication (686 KB)
Publication Notes:
- We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
- This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility
Citation
Duncan, Sally. 2004. Ecology payoffs from red alder in southeast Alaska.. Science Findings 63. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 5 p.