0263-GCG-FoothillsConservancy ESG23 12-13 - Flipbook - Page 21
2023 Impact Report
New Age of Forestry
removing the entire forest canopy (i.e. clearcutting). When an oak-hickory forest in our Southern
Appalachian region is clear-cut and the entire
By Ryan Sparks, Stewardship Director
Every day in our forests there is a silent struggle
between tree species for available resources like
sunlight, water, and space to grow. The effects of these
interspeci昀椀c encounters aren’t immediate, so a person
has to sit back, be patient, and observe, sometimes for
several generations, to understand the outcomes.
Over the last century or so, our magni昀椀cent
oaks, hickories, Southern yellow pines, and other
slow-growing, 昀椀re-tolerant tree species have
been suppressed by opportunistic, water-loving
(mesophytic) species like maple, yellow poplar,
beech, and blackgum, among others. This change
in the dominant canopy tree species over time
has been dubbed, “mesophication,” by scientists,
and this process has resulted in declining forest
biodiversity and species richness, as well as less
available water in our watersheds.
Multiple factors have combined to create the current
“mesophication” crisis, and most experts agree it is
a combination of long-term suppression of natural
昀椀re in our forests, a history of exploitative timber
management practices, the increased presence
of non-native invasive plants and pests, and a
changing climate.
Native hardwood forests such as oak-hickory
canopy is removed, the slow growing young oaks and
hickories are quickly outcompeted by mesophytic
species that can thrive and grow quickly with vast
amounts of water, sun and soil resources that become
available. If left to natural devices, it will take multiple
generations and a long period of time for oaks and
hickories to dominate the site again.
If we instead create small canopy gaps (1/2 acre or
so) and leave some of the surrounding mature trees
in place, the mesophytic species grow at a slower
rate due to the shaded conditions. This gives oaks
and hickories a competitive advantage to become
established. A strategy that involves creating small
gaps instead of widespread canopy removal is
meant to mimic the types of disturbance that occur
naturally in our forests, such as wind, ice and snow
storms, hurricanes and small-scale 昀椀res. This, in turn,
triggers a more natural compositional change in
forest structure.
If we also introduce prescribed 昀椀re into these sites,
then 昀椀re tolerant oaks and hickories can easily
outcompete 昀椀re intolerant yellow poplars and red
maples which cannot survive routine (every 3-5
years) burning. Through improved management and
returning 昀椀re to our forests, land managers can help
foster longevity of oak-hickory forests across the
landscape, and all the bene昀椀ts they provide.
communities, which are prevalent in our region but
were more abundant in the past, are highly desirable
for several reasons, including providing high quality
food and cover for wildlife, commercial timber
products, recreation experiences, and aesthetics.
One tool we can use to combat “mesophication” and
promote natural regeneration of oaks and hickories
over less desirable species, like yellow poplar and
red maple, is to promote timber harvest methods
that create gaps in the canopy without completely
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