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Harvard Forest Symposium Abstract 2006
- Title: Community and Ecosystem effects of HWA-induced logging
- Primary Author: David Orwig (Harvard Forest)
- Additional Authors: Laura Barbash (Harvard Forest); David Foster (Harvard University); Heidi Lux (Harvard Forest)
- Abstract:
The recent unimpeded infestation of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA;
Adelges tsugae Annand) across the northeastern U.S. has created a
situation in which large-scale hemlock decline and mortality is
occurring. HWA has already infested over 40% of the towns in
Massachusetts and, as a result, many landowners are choosing to
pre-emptively harvest their hemlock stands. Information from timber
harvesters, state agencies, and studies of landscape patterns of
hemlock decline in southern New England indicate that the recent broad scale increase in logging associated with HWA is occurring with little
ecological assessment and in the absence of scientific background for
conservationists, land managers, or policy makers.
We are continuing our efforts to compare the impacts of hemlock logging
with the impacts of HWA infestation on the magnitude and trajectory of
community and ecosystem dynamics. Ten sites were selected for intensive
study throughout central Massachusetts on public and private lands
where hemlocks have been harvested at varying intensities and
time-since-harvest. At each site we have examined available soil
nitrogen using semi-annual resin bags, soil mineralization and
nitrification rates using in situ incubated soil cores, soil
temperature throughout the growing season with dataloggers, and vegetation
dynamics. We will contrast the rate, magnitude, and quality of community and ecosystem response to hemlock logging with ongoing studies of
HWA-infested and uninfested forests in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
We will use this information to aid landowners in selecting the most
ecologically appropriate management practices for their hemlock stands.
- Research Category: Invasive Plants, Pests & Pathogens
