bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public Attitudes and Affective Beliefs about Early- and Late-Successional Stages of the Great Northern Forest
Authors: Enck Jody , Odato Meredith 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Occurrence of the early successional stage of forests (i.e., 20 years old or less) has declined since 1980 throughout the Great Northern Forest (GNF) of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. To help forestry professionals and land managers better understand the human dimensions of this change in successional diversity, we conducted a mail survey with stratified, random samples of 2,000 rural and 2,000 nonrural households within the GNF. We assessed affective beliefs and attitudes toward early successional and late-successional (i.e., 100 years old or more) stages of the GNF and attitudes toward the use of timber management to sustain the early successional stage. We found no differences between rural and nonrural respondents with respect to attitudes or affective beliefs. Indeed, all GNF residents have positive attitudes toward both early- and late-successional stages, with the most positive attitudes associated with the older forest stage. Similarly, although residents expressed positive affective beliefs about both stages, the late-successional stage elicited the most positive emotional responses. Both rural and nonrural residents expressed relatively positive attitudes toward use of timber management to sustain early successional stages. Similarities in attitudes and beliefs among rural and nonrural residents suggest that communities of more similar interests than expected occur throughout the GNF, with respect to forest management goals and strategies.
External Human Factors in Incident Management Team Decisionmaking and Their Effect on Large Fire Suppression Expenditures
Authors: Canton-Thompson Janie , Gebert Krista M. , Thompson Brooke , Jones Greg , Calkin David , Donovan Geoff 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Large wildland fires are complex, costly events influenced by a vast array of physical, climatic, and social factors. Changing climate, fuel buildup due to past suppression, and increasing populations in the wildland-urban interface have all been blamed for the extreme fire seasons and rising suppression expenditures of recent years. With each high-cost year comes a multitude of fire cost reviews, suppression cost studies by federal oversight agencies, and new rules and regulations focused on containing or reducing suppression costs. However, largely ignored in many of these inquiries are the human factors and pressures outside (external to) the influence of the incident team managing a fire that are contributing to the problem. This article presents an in-depth examination of some external human factors that affect incident management team (IMT) decisionmaking and influence suppression costs. Data were collected during 2004 and 2005 through 48 in-depth interviews with IMT command and general staff members representative of each Geographic Area Coordination Center, all federal agencies, and many state agencies whose employees serve on teams. External human factors identified include risk management; interaction with agency administrators; policies, regulations, and rules; resource availability; and social-political pressure. Inattention to these factors can result in policies that adversely affect IMTs charged with managing highly volatile events in a safe, timely, and cost-efficient manner.
Public Response to Wildfire: Is the Australian “Stay and Defend or Leave Early” Approach an Option for Wildfire Management in the United States?
Authors: McCaffrey Sarah M. , Rhodes Alan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In the United States, the increasing costs and negative impacts of wildfires are causing fire managers and policymakers to reexamine traditional approaches to fire management including whether mass evacuation of populations threatened by wildfire is always the most appropriate option. This article examines the Australian “stay and defend or leave early” (SDLE) approach (which is not inherently the same as shelter in place) and the contextual factors that may make it more or less appropriate in the United States. We first discuss what SDLE actually entails and then examine four contextual areas that could influence how appropriate the approach might be in the United States: nature of fire risk, agency roles and responsibilities, education and shared responsibility, and human dimensions and decisionmaking. Although some contextual differences may mean that there are US locations where the approach would be inappropriate, they are not systematic enough to mean that the approach would not be viable in many localities. However, significant groundwork would need to be laid to ensure success.
Economic Impact Evaluation of Uruguay Forest Sector Development Policy
Authors: Morales Olmos Virginia , Siry Jacek P. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Since the 1960s, the government of Uruguay has been encouraging forestry as an alternative use for marginal agricultural lands in an effort to promote economic development, diversification, and environmental services. The Forestry Law of 1987 (Parliament of Uruguay 1988) introduced subsidies and tax exonerations for the development of forest plantations and wood manufacturing industries. Consequently, the new forest sector has been growing rapidly, attracting foreign investment. This study evaluates the impact of Uruguay forest sector development policy on the country’s economy by conducting a cost–benefit analysis. The results indicate a positive net impact when compared with livestock production. The NPV associated with the forest sector development was US$615.4 million, and the internal rate of return was 32.4%. The successful implementation of the forest policy has allocated land to more productive uses while attracting foreign investment, generating income and employment, and providing environmental benefits.
Forest Biomass Supply in the Southeastern United States—Implications for Industrial Roundwood and Bioenergy Production
Authors: Galik Christopher S. , Abt Robert , Wu Yun 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This analysis explores regional aggregate bioenergy potential, the interaction of logging residues and roundwood supply, and the potential supply costs of woody biomass from three southern states. Significant amounts of forest residues are potentially available within the study area: approximately 2.8 million dry tons in North Carolina, 1.8 million dry tons in South Carolina, and 1.3 million dry tons in Virginia. These quantities are sufficient to satisfy regional biomass electricity production requirements only through 2012 under a hypothetical national Renewable Portfolio Standard and Renewable Fuels Standard, after which changes in the biomass resource stream will be necessary. Supply curves generated for multiple regions in each state indicate that forest residues vary regionally in both supply and price, and exceeding the supply of forest residues could be accompanied by a dramatic spike in resource pricing, with implications for timberland owners and users of the forest resource base.
Forest Management and Climate Change Mitigation: Good Policy Requires Careful Thought
Authors: Maness Thomas C. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Many people believe that forest management and the production of forest products can be important tools in a climate change mitigation strategy. This article critically examines how forest management can contribute to climate change mitigation in the global context, and it examines four major issues that must be considered before developing a strategy that would achieve real contributions. The article argues that protection of the carbon stock in the existing natural forest should be the central management objective related to carbon. Second should be the development of a widely accepted standard for calculating forestry offsets to drive future private investment on private forests. The article concludes with some recommendations for policy setting.
Challenges and Opportunities for the Northeastern Forest Bioindustry
Authors: Benjamin Jeffrey , Lilieholm Robert J. , Damery David 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Given the interest in renewable energy sources across the United States, it is likely that biomass harvested directly from the forest will play an important role in creating and sustaining the forest bioindustry. This article shows that the Northeastern Region's strengths (abundant forest resources and an established forest sector) provide the framework for a sustainable and viable forest bioindustry. Careful consideration must also be given to existing infrastructure, resource conditions, forest operations, public policy, and the wide range of social values likely to emerge as the industry grows. Challenges that must be addressed include improvements to the overall condition of the forest operations community, integration of new technologies into existing facilities, and assessment of the impact social values may have on the supply of raw materials and processing.
The 2007 Southern California Wildfires: Lessons in Complexity
Authors: Keeley Jon E. , Safford Hugh , Fotheringham C.J. , Franklin Janet , Moritz Max 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The 2007 wildfire season in southern California burned over 1,000,000 ac (∼400,000 ha) and included several megafires. We use the 2007 fires as a case study to draw three major lessons about wildfires and wildfire complexity in southern California. First, the great majority of large fires in southern California occur in the autumn under the influence of Santa Ana windstorms. These fires also cost the most to contain and cause the most damage to life and property, and the October 2007 fires were no exception because thousands of homes were lost and seven people were killed. Being pushed by wind gusts over 100 kph, young fuels presented little barrier to their spread as the 2007 fires reburned considerable portions of the area burned in the historic 2003 fire season. Adding to the size of these fires was the historic 2006-2007 drought that contributed to high dead fuel loads and long distance spotting. As in 2003, young chaparral stands and fuel treatments were not reliable barriers to fire in October 2007. Second, the Zaca Fire in July and August 2007 showed that other factors besides high winds can sometimes combine to create conditions for large fires in southern California. Spring and summer fires in southern California chaparral are usually easily contained because of higher fuel moisture and the general lack of high winds. However, the Zaca Fire burned in a remote wilderness area of rugged terrain that made access difficult. In addition, because of its remoteness, anthropogenic ignitions have been low and stand age and fuel loads were high. Coupled with this was severe drought that year that generated fuel moisture levels considerably below normal for early summer. A third lesson comes from 2007 conifer forest fires in the southern California mountains. In contrast to lower elevation chaparral, fire suppression has led to major increases in conifer forest fuels that can lead to unnaturally severe fires when ignitions escape control. The Slide and Grass Valley Fires of October 2007 occurred in forests that had been subject to extensive fuel treatment, but fire control was complicated by a patchwork of untreated private properties and mountain homes built of highly flammable materials. In a fashion reminiscent of other recent destructive conifer fires in California, burning homes themselves were a major source of fire spread. These lessons suggest that the most important advances in fire safety in this region are to come from advances in fire prevention, fire preparedness, and land-use planning that includes fire hazard patterns.
Growing Organizational Challenges for the US Forest Service: Results of a Longitudinal Study in a Period of Major Environmental Change
Authors: Brown Greg , Squirrell Trevor G. , Harris Charles C. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The US Forest Service has been widely viewed as the leader of the nation's forestry profession. Using longitudinal survey research, we have been measuring the extent of ongoing changes in the attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of agency employees on a wide range of resource management and organizational issues from 1990 to 2008. We have observed the agency transition from a timber-dominated organization to an agency struggling to cope with its posttimber reality. The performance gap in US Forest Service employees' perception of agency management activities—the difference between employee preferences and their perception of the position of the agency on key management issues—spawned an internal agency reform movement in 1989, but that gap has since narrowed. New organizational circumstances, including a reduced workforce, an exodus of employee technical expertise, declining resource budgets, reorganization initiatives, and the ascendancy of fire management have had major impacts on agency programs and employee morale.
Fostering Sustainable Operations in a Natural Resource Management Agency: Insights from the Field
Authors: Winter Patricia L. , Burn Shawn M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Sustainable operations (SO; operating in an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable manner) is consistent with the environmental stewardship mission of natural resource management organizations. This study sought to examine SO practices in the daily work lives of US Forest Service employees, including those primarily stationed in the office and in the field. The purpose was to identify influences on these behaviors such that organizations can more effectively promote them. We surveyed a random sample of employees within a region and research station of the US Forest Service (n = 451) regarding SO behaviors, barriers, and facilitators to SO, and perspectives on SO. Consistent with the Proenvironmental Behavior Change Model (Burn, S.M. and P.L. Winters. 2008, A behavioral intervention tool for recreation managers, Park Sci. 31[1]:5–15), social norms, attitudes, setting design, knowledge and information, and habit were all important influences on SO behaviors, with social norms, attitudes, and habits the strongest influences. Recommendations for promoting SO are provided.
Analytical Decisionmaking Considerations for Upgrading or Changing Geographic Information System Software
Authors: Bettinger Pete , Lowe Tripp , Siry Jacek , Merry Krista , Nibbelink Nate 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The analysis of a decision to change or upgrade geographical information systems (GIS) software can involve both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Although some aspects of changing or upgrading GIS can be financially valued, there are a number of intangible benefits and costs that are better assessed qualitatively. Thus, a benefit/cost analysis that recognizes both quantitative and qualitative criteria would be useful in considering the tradeoffs among the options considered. Two hypothetical case studies are provided to help people think through the analysis process. One involves a major upgrade in the version of software being used and the other involves a complete change in software to a free or low-cost set of tools. In considering both the quantitative and the qualitative aspects of a change in software, one can assess the tradeoffs that might arise.
The Role of Innovation in the Forest Products Industry
Authors: Hansen Eric N. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The US forest products industry has lost several hundred thousand jobs over recent years. It is argued that low-cost, foreign competition is largely responsible for this loss. Given this situation, enhancing innovation is increasingly seen as a path to competitive advantage and improved financial performance. Strategies have been and are being developed at the state and national level in the United States as well as the national level in many other countries. Although there is general recognition that innovation can positively impact competitiveness in the industry, there is little research verifying this relationship. This article discusses current innovation research focusing on the forest products industry. It also provides a brief example of a competitor nation's (Finland) efforts to enhance innovation in its forest products industry. With this background, the potential roles in enhancing innovation in the US forest products industry of company executives, policymakers, and researchers/educators are outlined. For example, it is recommended that companies concentrate on creating more innovation-centric cultures and policymakers are encouraged to support the future forest products industry workforce. Finally, it is suggested that the research and education community can be more effective in supporting industry through industry-focused research and developing skills of current and future employees.
Environmental and Social Risks: Defensive National Environmental Policy Act in the US Forest Service
Authors: Mortimer Michael J. , Stern Marc J. , Malmsheimer Robert W. , Blahna Dale J. , Cerveny Lee K. , Seesholtz David N. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its accompanying regulations provide a spectrum of alternative analytical pathways for federal agencies proposing major actions that might significantly impact the human environment. Although guidance from the President's Council on Environmental Quality suggests the decision to develop an environmental impact statement (EIS), which requires the most rigorous level of analysis, should be based on the likelihood of significant environmental impacts, findings from an Internet survey with US Forest Service project leaders suggest that the decision may more commonly be based on process-related risks, including the threat of litigation, perceived defensibility in court, and the level of public and political interest in the agency's proposed action. An analysis of judicial decisions in NEPA-related litigation reveals that EISs do not appear to be more defensible than environmental assessments in the courts, suggesting that current decisionmaking about NEPA documentation may be misguided, leading to unnecessary project expenditures and delays.
Status and Progress in Large-Scale Assessments of the Productive Capacity of Forest Ecosystems in the United States
Authors: Smith Brad , Oswalt Sonja N. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The Montreal Process is a forest sustainability reporting framework adopted by 12 temperate–boreal nations consisting of 7 basic criteria and 64 indicators. This article focuses specifically on criterion 2, maintenance of the productive capacity of forest ecosystems, and its five indicators: area of forestland and net forestland available for timber production; growing stock and annual increment on forest available for timber production; area, percent, and volume in plantations; and annual removals of nonwood forest products (NWFP). We compare historic and current inventory processes, discuss the implications of each, present criterion 2 indicator highlights, and identify gaps in our current knowledge. In general, the productive capacity of US forests is strong. Forest and timberland areas have been stable for over 50 years, net growth continues to exceed removals, growing stock volume is up 51% since 1953, and planted forests continue to increase in area and provide a larger share of the nation's annual wood production. NWFPs continue to be difficult to track but progress has been made.
Attitudes and Intentions of Off-Highway Vehicle Riders toward Trail Use: Implications for Forest Managers
Authors: Kuehn Diane M. , D'Luhosch Peter D. , Luzadis Valerie A. , Malmsheimer Robert W. , Schuster Rudolph M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Management of off-highway vehicles (OHV) in public forest areas requires up-to-date information about the attitudes and intentions of OHV riders toward trail use. A survey of 811 members of the New England Trail Riders Association was conducted in fall 2007; 380 questionnaires were completed and returned. Descriptive statistics and regressions were used to identify relationships between OHV rider attitudes, management preferences, and intentions toward two trail use–related behaviors (i.e., illegal use of trails by OHVs and the creation and/or use of unauthorized trails by OHV riders). Results reveal that the average responding association member has a negative attitude toward the two depreciative behaviors, intends to ride OHVs legally, and slightly prefers indirect over direct forms of management. Significant relationships between intentions and both attitudes and management preferences are identified. Policy and management implications and strategies are discussed.
Teak Plantations: Economic Bonanza or Environmental Disaster?
Authors: Hallett Justin T. , Díaz-Calvo Javier , Villa-Castillo Jaime , Wagner Michael R. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is a high-value tropical hardwood with unique wood properties. Teak timber is diminishing in its native range and most teak now comes from intensively managed plantations outside the native range. With increasing demand for high-quality teak wood, plantation area is only expected to increase. There are currently many criticisms and uncertainties expressed in the literature and in public forums regarding the establishment of new teak plantations. The literature indicates issues limiting the potential for teak including wood quality, silvicultural methods, pest problems, and environmental considerations. A field survey of teak plantations along the Pacific Coast of Mexico revealed that silvicultural methods are well known and effective, and most environmental negatives can be mitigated through landscape-level decisionmaking. This article provides information that can assist institutions and investors in deciding whether to consider plantations of high-quality, short-rotation teak in suitable climatic regions.
Teaching in Contemporary Forest Resources Curricula: Applications to Courses in Forest Measurements and Biometrics
Authors: Temesgen Hailemariam , Eskelson Bianca N.I. , Maness Thomas C. , Adams Darius M. , Burkhart Harold E. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Foresters face new and evolving challenges as society reconsiders the balance of its interests between wood production and the provision of ecosystem services in the management of forests. Whatever paths this process may take, sound and broad-based decisions will continue to require accurate and relevant measurements of current forest conditions and projections of future conditions under alternative management programs. Forest measurements and biometrics (FMB) will remain a key component of future forest management and a critical element in the education of future forest managers. As professors who both teach and do research in FMB, we offer teaching goals that we believe will improve FMB education in forestry schools to meet future needs. In this article, we outline teaching goals for university-level instruction in forest resources curricula and the roles of FMB in modern forestry. We then identify what we feel are the most critical challenges in teaching and learning FMB and discuss selected strategies to meet teaching objectives for FMB. A fourth section presents an overview of how selected strategies can be integrated into FMB classes, including examples and comments on the role that new technology might play in meeting the aforementioned challenges. The final section summarizes our main points and provides concluding remarks.