Use of Natural Disturbance as a Guide to Silviculture

Research Team: Dr. Robert J. Mitchell (Scientist), Dr. Jerry Franklin (University of Washington), Dr. Brian Palik (USDA Forest Service), Dr. L. Katherine Kirkman (Associate Scientist), Dr. Lora L. Smith (Assistant Scientist), and Todd Engstrom (Tall Timbers Research Station)

Recently developed conceptual models for restoration emphasize the need to address structural and compositional diversity (in addition to variability in these components) within and among stands in a landscape. Natural disturbances serve to increase ecological complexity by creating variation in types, amounts and patterns of structure and increasing heterogeneity in ecological functions. The legacies of these disturbances provide “lifeboats” that allow populations to survive the time between disturbance and recovery. In addition, the variation in habitat associated with natural disturbance increases the variety of biota that can be sustained. Traditional silvicultural approaches for management of commercial forests overtly, or inadvertently, lead to simplified stand structures (e.g., reduced tree age and size, uniform spatial pattern, decreased amount and size of dead wood), depleting species diversity within and among forest stands. However, taking conceptual theory into direct practice requires more rigorous development of the ideas. Specifically, the guiding principles that transcend particular ecosystems, and the specifics needed in management of particular forest types have yet to be synthesized and need to be documented before this approach to silviculture is widely adopted. We are attaining this goal through a number of efforts that address our understanding of the role of natural disturbance in ecosystem structure and function, and how land managers can use the nature and extent of disturbance to reduce the differences between managed and unmanaged forests.

Additional Information:

Mitchell RJ, Palik BJ, Hunter Jr. ML. Natural disturbance as a guide to silviculture. For Ecol Mgmt.

Palik BJ, Mitchell RJ, Hiers JK. Modeling silviculture after natural disturbance to sustain biodiversity in the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem: balancing complexity and implementation. For Ecol Mgmt.

Final Report to the National Council on Sustainable Forestry Initiatives (pdf)

Funded by: National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry