Progress 07/01/01 to 06/30/04
Outputs
Project terminated early due to reassignment of principal investigator. No further research accomplishments beyond that which was previously reported on 2003 annual report.
Impacts
Conclusions drawn from evaluation of management regimes implemented on the CEF will be valuable in developing regional forest policy regarding silviculture, wildlife management and environmental issues.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Implementation of commercial, multiple use and protection management regimes continue on Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF). There were no significant losses from southern pine beetle (SPB) on the CEF in 2003 after more than 800 acres of pine timber was killed during 2001 and 2002. Adequate spring rainfall and abundant populations of predator beetle apparently resulted in the collapse of the SPB outbreak. Reforestation of the areas lost to SPB continued into 2003 with emphasis on protection and multiple use management areas where losses were greatest. Approximately 50 acres of commercial, 83 acres of multiple use, and 68 acres of protection forest treatment areas were regenerated to loblolly pine. Another 75 acres of protection forest were naturally regenerated to a mixture of pine and hardwood. Another 130 acres outside treatment areas were also planted. Three additional treatment areas were added to the National Fire and Fire Surrogate Study (FFS) on the CEF to
augment treatments areas that were severely damaged by SPB. Students and scientist involved in the FFS studies on the CEF generated 11 publications, 4 abstracts, 1 thesis and 5 posters in 2003. A research proposal to address problems of reforestation of SPB killed timberlands was submitted.
Impacts
Conclusions drawn from evaluation of management regimes implemented on the CEF will be valuable in developing regional forest policy regarding silviculture, wildlife management and environmental issues.
Publications
- Cox, S.K., H.T. Erwin, and T.J. Straka. 2003. The Clemson Land-Use Project: A Jewel of the New Deal. In. Proc. 2002 Society of American Foresters National Convention; Winston Salem, NC, October 5-9, 2002, pp. 301-303.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
As anticipated, the southern pine beetle (SPB) epidemic, exacerbated by drought conditions, continued throughout 2002. Timber losses statewide exceeded $254 million, more than double the previous record. Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF) SPB timber losses were approximately 316 acres in 2002, somewhat less than the 463 acres loss in 2001. Timber losses for 2002 included 152 acres in multiple use management units, 72 acres in commercial management units, 24 acres in protection management units and 67 acres outside the research units. The combined SPB timber losses for 2001 and 2002 totaled 228 acres for protection forest units, 237 acres for multiple use units, and 126 acres for commercial units and 192 acres for areas not in the research program. The ninth quinquennial measurement of the CEF permanent inventory points was completed early in 2002. Even though there was considerable volume loss due to SPB, gross cubic volume increased on all treatment units as a result
of survivor growth, in-growth and on-growth. Preliminary results of inventory data indicate a gross volume increase of 74.6, 73.3, and 40.9 cubic feet per acre for commercial, multiple use and protection management units respectively.
Impacts
South Carolina timber losses from southern pine beetle exceeded $254 million in 2002. Preliminary data indicates that commercial forest management units may be less susceptible to southern pine beetle damage. The combined SPB timber losses on the Clemson Experimental Forest for 2001 and 2002 totaled 228 acres for protection forest management units, 237 acres for multiple use management units, and 126 acres for commercial management units.
Publications
- Cox, S. K., and T. J. Straka. 2002. Clemson University Management Alternatives Research Project: twenty year results. In. Proc. 2001 Soc. Am. For. Nat'l. Conv. (Denver, Colo.; Sept. 13-17, 2001): 347-350.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The southern pine beetle caused a loss of approximately 76 million dollars in South Carolina during 2001. This was the second highest dollar loss to southern pine beetle on record in the state. The majority of losses occurred in the piedmont and mountain areas of the state. Approximately 463 acres of timber was killed on the Clemson Experimental Forest during 2001. Of those acres, approximately 45 acres are within commercial management units, 85 acres are within on multiple-use management units, and 204 acres are within protection forest management units. These acreages represent 1.12%, 1.68% and 5.12% of the total acreages in commercial, multiple-use and protection management units respectively. Another 125 acres (2.12%) of timber was killed on areas outside the management alternatives research areas. Sanitation and salvage harvesting of beetle-infested areas were conducted across all management units. It is not clear if differences in timber mortality from southern
pine beetle can be attributed to management treatments. Significant losses are expected to continue through 2002.
Impacts
Timber value losses due to southern pine beetle were approximately 76 million dollars in South Carolina in 2001. Timber management strategies can influence the susceptibility of stands to beetle mortality. Approximately 204 acres of timber on protection forest management units were killed by beetle activity compared to 45 acres on commercial management units in 2001.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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