Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The U.S. South has only 2% of the world's forest area, but produces 18% of the world's industrial roundwood. The tremendous productivity is based on investments from non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners that own nearly 70% of the forestland of the South. These NIPF landowners often have limited access to state-of-the-art forest management technologies. Financial and technological limitations limit the productivity of their forests. Industrial forest managers use a suite of intensive silvicultural treatments to enhance and maintain the productivity of industrial forest lands. NIPF landowners are often unable to invest large amounts of capital in long-term investments, even if rates of return are good. However, limited applications of herbicides, applied during stand establishment, can be highly effective in ensuring forest regeneration as well as provided faster production of merchantable timber and recovery of the landowner's initial investment. New
forestland regulations such as best management practices (BMPs) and forest certification systems that are arising throughout the U.S. South have a significant cost that is largly carried by timber harvest operators and landowners. While the effectiveness of these systems in improving forest health and sustainability has yet to be proven, their considerable costs are reducing private landowner investment into forestry. Demographic factors such as increased urbanization and development in the eastern portion of the U.S. South that are projected for this century are increasing the need for expanded forest investment and production in the South-Central United States. A series of forest landowner workshops were held across Arkansas in 2003, focusing on appropriate technologies for non-industrial management. Information on forest health, water quality protection, wildlife and biological diversity protection was also distributed to more than 11,000 Arkansans.
Impacts
New, low-cost technologies and low and moderately intensive management techniques were developed and demonstrated to landowners. Adoption of these technologies will enhance non-industrial private forestland productivity in Arkansas to meet the expected needs of the 21st Century.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
An Upland Oak Ecology Symposium was held in Fayetteville in October, 2002 relating to the problems associated with red oak borers. Over 400 individuals comprised of natural resource professionals, landowners and researchers attended the symposium. The symposium received support from 10 agencies that contributed over $30,000. Results from a hardwood study in Southeast Texas are being prepared for manuscripts to be submitted to the Biennial Silvicultural Conference to be held in Biloxi, MS. A study of non-industrial private landowners participating in CRP was completed in 2002 and the graduate student, Rebecca Montgomery, completed her master's degree requirements. Another landowner study concerning limited resource landowners is underway. Data collection through focus group interviews has been completed and the transcription and analysis is in progress. A manuscript has been submitted to the Rural Sociology Journal regarding landowners with forested land within 100
miles of two export market chip mills. Additionally, several studies involving the use of forestry herbicides are being conducted. During 2002, two papers were submitted to the Southern Weed Science Society and four papers are being prepared for 2003. Dr. Williams made 13 professional presentations in 2002 and 10 of these were invited presentations. Dr. Williams is the Foundation Chairman for the University of Arkansas - Monticello Foundation and the Forestry Chair of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Additionally, Dr. Williams serves on several committees of the Arkansas Forestry Association.
Impacts
The Oak Symposium provided over 400 individuals from several states to discuss and gather a great deal of information regarding oak ecology and the red oak borer. The symposium proceedings will be published in 2003. Thirteen presentations including 4 workshops have been conducted regarding the economic and environmental importance of individual forest lands. Attending landowners and teachers have increased their awareness of the value and benefits possible on their forested lands. Several new projects are being initiated to continue the momentum created by the presentations and workshops. The goal is to educate landowners and teachers so that they have some understanding and ask the right questions regarding the management and use of forested lands.
Publications
- Williams, R. A. and J. A. Earl. 2002. Split season herbaceous weed control for a first-year loblolly pine plantation in southeast Arkansas. Proceedings of the 55th Annual Southern Weed Science Society: Feeding the World in the 21st Century. Atlanta, GA. 90-93.
- Earl, J. A. and R. A. Williams. 2002. Second-year results for tank mixes of Oust, Escort, and Arsenal applied to abandoned fields being planted in loblolly pines. Proceedings of the 55th Annual Southern Weed Science Society: Feeding the World in the 21st Century. Atlanta, GA. 177-179.
- Michalek, A. J., B. R. Lockhart, M. W. Lowe, and R. A. Williams. 2002. Diameter growth and epicormic branching response of an East Texas bottomland red oak stand three years after thinning and fertilization. Abstract
- Williams, R. A., R. Brewington and J. A. Earl. 2002. NIPF landowner responses to chip mill operation. Poster was displayed at the Arkansas Forest Resources Center symposium, the University of Arkansas at Monticello library, and the Southern Rural Sociology conference.
- Earl, J. A. and R. A. Williams. 2002. Second-year results for tank mixes of Oust, Escort, and Arsenal applied to abandoned fields being planted in loblolly pines. Poster was displayed at the Arkansas Forest Resources Center symposium, the University of Arkansas at Monticello library and the Southern Weed Science Society annual conference.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
A hardwood study is nearing completion in Southeast Texas. This study is evaluating hardwood regeneration following selective harvesting. Additionally, the residual hardwoods are being evaluated for growth and epicormic branching. Results of these studies are being prepared for publication. Results of a nonindustrial private forest landowner study completed in 1996 is still being requested by organization throughout country. Dr. Williams made 15 professional presentations in 2001 and 10 of these were invited presentations. Dr. Williams has three landowner studies underway. The first concerns the Ouachita and Ozark Highland landowners. The surveys are returned and being prepared for analysis. The second study concerns landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Surveys are being mailed out in early 2002. The third landowner study concerns limited resource and minority landowners. One focus group has been completed and several others are already scheduled.
Dr. Williams is the Foundation Chairman for the University of Arkansas - Monticello Foundation and the Forestry Chair of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Additionally, Dr. Williams has several studies regarding the use of herbicides to improve the growth and survival of southern pine and hardwood seedlings.
Impacts
Study impacts include increased awareness regarding the importance of forested lands. Fifteen presentations including 4 workshops have been conducted regarding the economic and environmental importance of individual forest lands. Attending landowners and teachers have increased their awareness of the value of their forested lands. Several new projects are being initiated to continue the momentum created by the presentations and workshops. The goal is to educate landowners and teachers so that they have some understanding and ask the right questions regarding the management and use of forested lands.
Publications
- Williams, R. A. and J. A. Earl. 2001. Efficacy of tank mixes of Oust, Escort and Arsenal applied to abandoned fields being planted in Loblolly pine. Published in Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings Vol. 54. p. 114-117. Biloxi, MS.
- Earl, J. A. and R. A. Williams. 2001. Comparing rate ranges of Oustar herbicide with industry standards. Published in Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings Vol. 54 p. 162-165. Biloxi, MS.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
A hardwood regeneration study in the Mississippi River delta on Pitman Island was completed. This study is evaluating natural hardwood regeneration following two harvesting methods compared with a non-harvested control area. Another hardwood study is being conducted in Southeast Texas. This study is evaluating hardwood regeneration following selective harvesting. Additionally, the residual hardwoods are being evaluated for growth and epicormic branching. Results of these studies are being prepared for publication. Results of a nonindustrial private forest landowner study completed in 1996 is still being requested by organization throughout Arkansas. Dr. Williams made 12 professional presentations in 2000 and 8 of these were invited presentations. Currently, two new landowner studies are underway. The first concerns the Ouachita and Ozark Highland landowners. The surveys are returned and being prepared for analysis. The second study concerns landowners enrolled in the
Conservation Reserve Program. Focus groups and follow-up surveys will be conducted during the summer and fall of 2001. Dr. Williams is the Foundation Chairman for the University of Arkansas - Monticello Foundation and the Forestry Chair of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Additionally, Dr. Williams is working on several manuscripts and published research results regarding non-industrial private forest landowners and herbicide use in southern pine.
Impacts
Study impacts include increased awareness regarding the importance of forested lands. Over 25 presentations and 5 workshops have been conducted regarding the economic and environmental importance of individual forest lands. These landowners have increased their awareness of the value of their forested lands. Several new projects are being initiated to continue the momentum created by the presentations and workshops. The goal is to education landowners so that the ask the right questions regarding the management and use of their forested lands.
Publications
- Brewington, R. P., R. A. Williams and J. A. Earl. 2000. Travel cost model for determining procurement zones. Arkansas Academy of Science. In press.
- Williams, R. A. and J. A. Earl. 2000. Effects of site preparation, herbicide and fertilizer on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedling growth in SE Arkansas. Published in Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings, Vol. 53:77-80. Tulsa, OK.
- Earl, J. A. and R. A. Williams. 2000. Third-year seedling performance for both loblolly (Pinus taeda) and shortleaf (Pinus echinata) pines on an intensive herbicide/fertilizer study in SE Arkansas. Published in Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings, Vol 53:75-77. Tulsa, OK.
- Brewington, R. P., R. A. Williams and J. A. Earl. 2000. Travel cost model for determining procurement zones using GIS. Published in the Southern Forest Economist Workshop proceedings, Lexington, Kentucky.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Current research projects include two hardwood studies. One hardwood study is a regeneration study in the Mississippi River delta on Pitman Island. This study is evaluating natural hardwood regeneration following two harvesting methods compared with a non-harvested control area. The second hardwood study is being conducted in Southeast Texas. This study is evaluating hardwood regeneration following selective harvesting. Additionally, the residual hardwoods are being evaluated for growth and epicormic branching. Results of these studies will be published during 2000. Results of a nonindustrial private forest landowner study completed in 1996 is still being requested by organization throughout Arkansas. Dr. Williams made 13 professional presentations in 1999 and 10 of these were invited presentations. Memberships include the Society of American Foresters, Arkansas Forestry Association, Forest Landowners, Arkansas Urban and Community Forestry Council and the Arkansas
Wildlife Federation. Dr. Williams is the Forestry Chair and on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Additionally, Dr. Williams is working on several manuscripts and published research results regarding non-industrial private forest landowners and herbicide use in southern pine.
Impacts
Study impacts include increased awareness regarding the importance of forested lands. Over 50 presentations and 5 workshops have been conducted regarding the economic and environmental importance of individual forest lands. These landowners have increased their awareness of the value of their forested lands. Several new projects are being initiated to continue the momentum created by the presentations and workshops.
Publications
- Williams, R. A. and J. A. Earl. 1999. Loblolly and shortleaf pine seedling performance following herbaceous weed control and fertilization in SE Arkansas. Published in Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings, Tulsa, OK.
- Williams, R. A. and J. A. Earl. 1999. Effects of site preparation, herbicide, and fertilizer on loblolly pine seedling growth in SE Arkansas. Published in Southern Weed Science Society Proceedings, Tulsa, OK.
- Walkingstick, T. L., R. A. Kluender, R. A. Williams and D. E. Voth. 1999. Arkansas' non-industrial private forest landowner: Tree farms, homesteads, mountain retreats and hard scrabble ridges. In review.
- Kluender, R. A., T. L. Walkingstick, R. A. Williams and D. E. Voth. 1998. Arkansas' non-industrial private forest landowner. Submitted to the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. In review.
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