a+ eco-consultants first in the phonebook, first in knowledge. derek mercer randy sedlock levi...
TRANSCRIPT
A+ Eco-Consultants
First in the phonebook, first in knowledge.
Derek Mercer
Randy Sedlock
Levi Laurion
We will discuss:
• Our Goals and Objectives
• Current Situation and Condition of Camp Sacajawea
• Desired Future Conditions
• Ecosystem Needs Assessment process used
• Recommended feasible management actions
• Effects and Benefit Cost analysis of actions
Emphasis
• Primary
-Wildlife Habitat Unit Values
• Secondary
-Quality sawlog removal for fiber and firewood sales
Goals
• Increase overall mean Habitat Unit Values in Camp Sacajawea
• Remove timber for income through firewood and fiber sales
Objectives
• To increase mean Habitat Unit Values in Camp Sacajawea by 25% in the next 20 years
• To remove 25% of AGS, UGS, and Cull timber exceeding 20 in. DBH for saw-log sales by 2020
• To remove majority of Ironwood trees in Camp Sacajawea
Current Conditions at Camp Sacajawea
• Camp is approximately 400 acres in size located at NE ¼, Sec 2, R274W, T84N, 5PM
• Camp is located on the Des Moines river valley
• Only 170 acres on west side of camp were studied
Current Conditions (continued)
• Terrain of camp is very steep and hilly
• Soil – Hayden – well drained and moderately permeable found on slopes and ridges
• Oak forest that has been overrun by Ironwood trees.
• Very low oak regeneration.
Current Conditions (continued)
• Habitat Unit Values
-Deer and Turkey – 5.5
-Squirrel – 5.5
• Basal Area
-Approximately 81.6 sq.ft/Acre
-Ironwood=18% or 15 sq.ft/Acre
Desired Future Conditions
• Habitat Unit Values
-Deer and Turkey – 7.0
-Squirrel – 6.5
An increase of 25% of previous HUV’s
• Low % of ironwood population
• High % of oak regeneration and existing oaks
Ecosystem Needs Assessment
• Identify issues, concerns, and opportunities
• Develop decision criteria based on goals and objectives developed from previous step
• Collect all data and information needed to create feasible actions
• Assess current conditions
Step I – Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
• Mid range Habitat Unit Values where high values are possible
• High number of Ironwood trees causing low HUV’s
• Many AGS, UGS, and Cull trees exceeding 20 in. DBH
Step II – Decision Criteria
• First Consider Assumptions
- Capabilities of the ecosystem are limited
- Ethical Standards will be applied
- Risk and Uncertainty will exist
• Criteria and principles
- Humans are considered part of the ecosystem
Criteria and principles (continued)
- Human actions will cause positive effects to the productivity, diversity, and resiliency
- Ethical decisions will be made
- Actions will satisfy camp manager uses and benefit the ecosystem
Step III – Collect needed data
• Systematic sampling was used with regard to finding saw timber and wildlife values
• Approximately 50 points were sampled throughout the forest and projected onto a larger scale
• Considerations used for saw timber- Oak regeneration- Soil samples- Non-oak species
Data Collecting (continued)
• Process of evaluation of wildlife habitat based on “A Handbook for Habitat Evaluation Procedures” provided by the U.S. Department of Interior
• Wildlife Considerations For Tree Squirrels
- Tree Size and Canopy cover
Wildlife considerations for tree squirrels (continued)
• Food diversity
• Shrubs and Herbs available
• Tree Cavities
• Openings in Canopy
• Diversity of non-preferred plant species
Wildlife Considerations for forest game (deer and turkey)• Tree Size and Canopy Closure
• Food Diversity
• Browse Availability
• Vegetative Cover
• Openings in Canopy
• Diversity of Non-preferred plant species
Step IV - Assessment of Current conditions
Percent Tree SpeciesOak
Elm
Maple
Cottonwood
Hickory
Cheery
Basswood
Ash
Hackberry
Aspen
Locust
Ironwood
Feasible Management Actions
• Based on assumptions and decision criteria
• Each action has pros and cons with regard to desired future conditions of saw-timber and wildlife habitat
• Final decision must be made by the managers of Camp. These are simply recommendations
Feasible Management Actions
• Removal of all Ironwoods
• Selective cutting of trees over 20 in. diameter
• Actions such as food plots, maintaining current conditions, and clear-cuts were considered but deemed non-feasible
Effects of Ironwood Removal
• Sawtimber
• Forest Game
• Tree Squirrels
Sawtimber
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 5 10 15 20
Years
Bas
al A
rea
/ Acr
e
Forest Game (Deer and Wild Turkey)
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 5 10 15 20
Years beginning at Present (0)
Hab
itat
Un
it V
alu
e
Forest Game (Squirrels)
123456789
10
0 5 10 15 20
Years
Hab
itat U
nit V
alue
s
Effects of Selective Cutting over 20 in. DBH
• Sawtimber
• Forest Game
• Tree Squirrels
Forest Game (Deer and Wild Turkey)
0123456789
10
0 5 10 15 20
Years beginning at Present (0)
Hab
itat
Un
it V
alu
e
Sawtimber
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 5 10 15 20
Years
Ba
sal
Are
a /
Acr
e
Forest Game (Squirrels)
123456789
10
0 5 10 15 20
Years
Hab
itat U
nit V
alue
s
Benefit / Cost Analysis
Element Year Benefit Cost Net Cost
Ironwood Removal
0 $28/Acre $0 $0
Selective Cutting Over 20 in.
0 $80/Acre $250/Acre -$170/Acre
What We Have Discussed• Our Goals and Objectives
• Current Situation and Condition of Camp Sacajawea
• Desired Future Conditions
• Ecosystem Needs Assessment process used
• Recommended feasible management actions
• Effects and Benefit Cost analysis of actions
Questions?