Source: USDA Forest Service - Southern Research Station submitted to NRP
INTEGRATED FOREST VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Sponsoring Institution
Forest Service/USDA
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
USDA INHOUSE
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0197734
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 21, 2000
Project End Date
Sep 21, 2005
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
USDA Forest Service - Southern Research Station
200 WEAVER BLVD., PO BOX 2680
ASHEVILLE,NC 28804
Performing Department
FORESTRY SCIENCES LAB - AUBURN, AL
Non Technical Summary
Improved forest vegetation management strategies are needed to: enhance forest productivity and ecosystem biodiversity; to restore damaged forests; to control native and non-invasive plants; and to maintain recreational areas and rights of way. The purpose of this project is to develop sustainable forest vegetation management practices and technology for the Southeastern United States.
Animal Health Component
60%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
60%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1230611107025%
1230611114025%
2130613107025%
2160613114025%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 213 - Weeds Affecting Plants; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0611 - Conifer forests of the South; 0613 - Mixed conifer-broadleaf forests;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1140 - Weed science;
Goals / Objectives
A lack of forest vegetation management strategies and prescriptions for sustainable forest management, and the lack of knowledge of their multi resource benefits and impacts, limits their acceptance and application in southern forestry. An evolving mixture of land use characterizes the southern landscape. An expanding highway and right-of-way network divides a complex of crop and pasturelands, pine plantations, and upland and bottomland mixed forests. The landscape is highly dissected with streams and rivers, and bordered by swamps and estuaries. Invasive plants are now continually encroaching on all land use. Integrated forest vegetation management practices and strategies are required at the landscape level; and specialized systems are needed for a variety of forest types, site conditions and landowner objectives. Long-term investigations are especially critical for developing management strategies and integrated treatments for sustainable forest ecosystems in the South. In addition to enhancing commodity outputs, vegetation management techniques and technology are needed to create and maintain desirable plant and animal habitats; restore damaged forest landscapes; control invasive plants; maintain recreational areas, trails, and scenic vistas; and maintain rights of way for multiple uses. The principles of Vegetation Management can also be used to create mixed and uneven aged stands, a desired future condition for many of our national forests and some privately owned woodlands. To guarantee sustainable forest management while increasing commodity and non-commodity productivity, ecologically sound and socio-economically viable vegetation management prescriptions will be critical for both public and private forestlands. Coupled with prescription development is the imperative for understanding how integrated vegetation management treatments affect forest ecosystem sustainability, resiliency, and function. Much of this information will come from the continuation and expansion of long term studies already in place, with a renewed focus and more multi disciplined research partnerships. There are a number of vegetation management prescriptions today that integrate herbicide, prescribed burning, or mechanical methods, yet there are many information gaps on the proper selection of the optimum combination to meet multi resource goals. And the biocontrol alternative has yet to be fully incorporated. New combinations will be required as forest management strategies evolve. Completely new treatments and strategies will be needed for non-native plant control and containment. Plant invaders can completely alter fire regimes, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and energy budgets in native ecosystems. Little is known about the effects of vegetation management treatments on long term site productivity and biological diversity. Until both the short and long term consequences of vegetation management treatments have been determined on the principal pine and pine hardwood forest site types in the Southeast, it will be difficult to know what treatments and combinations provide the most ecologically sound and cost effective results.
Project Methods
This broad problem area is divided into two elements. ELEMENT 1. FOREST VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS AND PRACTICES: Approaches will continue to develop forest vegetation management treatments, prescriptions, and strategies for the purpose of enhancing forest productivity for commodity and non-commodity values. The longer term consequences of vegetation management prescriptions will be evaluated by continuing the measurements and monitoring of six cooperative studies at 22 sites that are examining both pine and pine hardwood cultures. Other multi-resource assessments on these sites will be undertaken when opportunities for funds and research partners arise. Integrated prescriptions are needed that properly employ prescribed burning, herbicides (selective and broadcast), and mechanical, manual, and biological approaches to achieve predictable desired future conditions. The region-wide cooperative study on competition-The Competition Omission Monitoring Project (COMP) will continue to provide the long term research understanding needed in the developing field of forest vegetation management science. A common study design at 13 locations is testing loblolly plantation development with and without woody and herbaceous plant competition, including maximum growth in the absence of competition. Monitoring of soil productivity, floristic succession, and overstory growth and yield will continue. Technology transfer efforts will be expanded through partnerships with regional forestry organizations and societies; along with continuing education, user workshops and guidebooks, synthesis publications and expanded web based information technology. ELEMENT 2. NON-NATIVE INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT. Non-native and even some native invasive plants are forming a new and increasing component of our Southern forests. Billions of dollars in lost forest productivity are at stake as well as our native plant communities and wildlife habitat. Approaches in this program element will be synchronized with the new Forest Service national strategy and priority activities for combating invasive species. Approaches will continue to develop and evaluate vegetation management treatments, prescriptions, and strategies for control of invasive plants in the southern region. Continue to develop a program addressing invasive/exotic plant management with elements in research, extension, and collaborative planning with States, the National Forest System, and industry for identification, monitoring, control, containment and rehabilitation. Approaches which include development of guidebooks for early identification, control and containment will continue. These will help to build an awareness of the serious problems associated with invasive plant species and help develop a common understanding of how to solve these problems. As wide spread recognition of these severe exotic invaders occur among various user groups, then collaborative prevention programs, control strategies, and reclamation efforts can be initiated and better coordinated. A regional invasive plant survey in partnership with the FS Forestry Inventory and Analysis program will continue.

Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

Outputs
A wave of technology transfer directed at combating nonnative invasive plants was mounted and swept across the southern region this year. It was propelled by the SRS release and free distribution of GTR-62, Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: a field guide for identification and control in mid-FY03, coupled with a regional workshop with 220 participants. Because of unprecedented demand for the guidebook, the initial edition was followed (3 months later) by a revised edition and expanded printing. Fifty thousand copies of the book were requested and swiftly distributed in FY04 through a concerted, planned effort by the Regional Extension Forester, SRS-RWU-4105 at Auburn, and SRS Communications and Forest Health Protection units in Asheville. These efforts sparked an unprecedented technology transfer effort in FY04 on multi-scales among many state and federal agencies and NGOs. Book versions in pdf and html formats were also accessed and downloaded through SRS and invasive.org websites, while a robust set of supporting PowerPoint presentations from the regional workshop were available on invasive.org to support widespread presentations. Practically all federal and State land management agencies within the region were involved in the redistribution and dissemination of the guidebook, thereby rapidly providing the latest information to land owners, managers, policy makers, and consultants. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and State extension services played crucial roles in redistribution efforts within the southern Region. Through cooperation with the USDA Fish & Wildlife Service and USDA Park Service the book was distributed to most preserve and park managers and staff. The book is also being used as a survey tool in Federal, county, and city park eradication and restoration programs. The 100 plus customer comment cards that have been returned are unanimously positive and full of praise for the SRS and USFS supporting this critically needed endeavor. Programs of instruction used the book and available PowerPoint presentations for multiple training sessions and public information presentations. Ten universities and selected high schools and middle schools requested copies of the book for student training, which employed the PowerPoint files. Nature preserves, state parks and garden clubs constructed and presented invasive awareness programs using these resources. The book continues to be used by surveyors to implement the only invasive plant survey in the nation by SRS FIA and State agency partners on all forest ownerships in the region. These data will soon be available to support program development at all levels from national to local and focus research needs reality to invasion abundance and patterns.

Impacts
This book provides a resource for identifying and controlling the worst 33 nonnative plants that are aggressively invading the Southern region.

Publications

  • Miller, James H., Bruce R. Zutter; Shepard M. Zedaker; M.Boyd Edwards; and Raymond A. Newbold. 2003.Growth and yield relative to competition for loblolly pine plantations to midrotation-A southeastern U.S.A. regional stydy. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 27(4): 237-252.
  • Wilson H. Faircloth, Michael G. Patterson, James H. Miller, and David H. Teem. 2003. Wanted: Congongrass dead not alive. Fact Sheet No. ANR-1241. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Published in Auburn University, AL.
  • Anon. 2003. A Complete Listing of All Invasive Plants of Concern in the Southern Region. Wildland Weeds Fall 2003. p9.
  • Anon. 2003. Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control. Wildland Weeds Fall 2003. p8.
  • Miller, Karl V. and James H. Miler. 2003. Herbicides and biodiversity in southern forest. [Abstract] In: Program and Abstracts of the 10th Annual Conference of the Wildlife Society, September 6-10, 2003, Burlington, Vermont. Published in Bethesda, MD. p194.
  • Rudis, V.A.; Miller, J.H.; Cost, N.D. 2002. The siege of weeds: monitoring exotic invasive plant pests in Southern forests. In: Proceedings of the National All-hands Forest Inventory and Analysis Workshop; 2002 March 12-14; Las Vegas, NV. CD-ROM. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. [Poster with abstract.] CDROM and Proceedings published in Washington DC
  • Miller, James H., Bruce R. Zutter; Raymond A. Newbold; M.Boyd Edwards; and Shepard M. Zedaker. 2003. Stand dynamics and plant associates of loblolly pine plantations to midrotation after early intensive vegetation management-A southeastern U.S.A. regional study. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 27(4): 221-236.
  • W.H. Faircloth, M.G. Patterson, D.H. Teem, and J.H. Miller. 2004. Restoring Productivity to Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)-Infested Land Through Reforestation. Agronomy and Soils Department, Auburn University, and U.S. Forest Service, Auburn, AL 36849. Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Jan 26-28, 2004. Memphis, TN.
  • Rudis, V.A.; Gray, A.N.; Jacobs, D.M.; Miller, J.H.; O'Brien, R.A.; and Riemann, R. 2002. Monitoring of non-native invasive trees and other selected plant species affecting forest resources. In: The 7th Annual Janet Meakin Poor Research Symposium: Invasive Plants--Global Issues, Local Challenges; 2002 October 27-30; Chicago, IL. Symposium abstracts. Glencoe, IL: Chicago Botanic Garden: 11
  • McMahon, Charles K. 2003. Nonnative Invasive Plants of the Southern Forest-A Field Guide for Identification and Control. In: 14th Annual SAMAB Conference Program and Abstracts, Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Region, Nov 4-6, 2003, Asheville, NC. p53 [Poster with abstract]
  • J.H. Miller. 2004. A New Book On Nonnative Invasive Plants Of Southern Forests: A Field Guide For Identification And Control., USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Auburn, AL 36849. Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Jan 26-28, 2004. Memphis, TN.
  • W.H. Faircloth, M.G. Patterson, D.H. Teem, and J.H. Miller, Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, and U.S. Forest Service, Auburn, AL 36849. 2004. Right-Of-Way Management: A Key To Controlling The Spread Of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica). Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Jan 26-28, 2004. Memphis, TN.
  • Miller, James H. and Tim Albritton, 2004. Privet is a Plague: You can help stop it. Alabama Treasure Forests, spring 2004, vol. XXIII, No. 1. pp 20-21, 26.
  • Miller, James H. 2004. 2004. Invasive Plant Species, how they can affect trail access (and how you can help prevent their access). In: Proceedings of the Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference, July 29-31, 2004. Atlanta, GA. [abstract]
  • Miller, James H. 2004. Becoming Ecoculturists: sustainable management of plant nations, tribes and species of the southeast in a plantation future. In: Advance Summaries of Presentations, Forestry Session, Environmental aspects of silvicultural chemicals in intensive forestry systems, July 14, 2004. New Orleans, Louisiana. pp2-9.
  • Clark, Alexander III; Daniels, Richard F.; and Miller, James H. 2004. Early plant competition control effects on wood quality of 15 year old loblolly pine in the southern U.S.A. In: Abstract Book, 4th International Weed Science Congress, Weed Science Serving Humanity, June 20-24, 2004, Durban, Republic of South Africa. p120.
  • Anon. 2004. Alabamas 10 worst invasive weeds. The Alabama Invasive Plant Council. Pamplet. Auburn University, Alabama.
  • Miller, James H. 2003. Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control. In: Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: Identification and Control. Technical Coordinatiors: Bargeron, Charles T.; Moorhead, David J.; Douce, G. Keith; Reardon, Richard C.; and Miller, Arthur E. FHTET-2003-08. [CD] FHTET, USDA Forest Service, Morgantown, West Virginia.


Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03

Outputs
The USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) has published a new guide for identifying and controlling invasive plants in Southern forests. Written and photographed by Dr. James H. Miller, research ecologist at the SRS Forest Vegetation Management unit in Auburn, AL. 'Nonnative Invasive Plants of the Southern Forests' provides a unique resource for individuals and agencies trying to control the spread of nonnative invasive species. The book is a unique extension tool for conveying the message to all impacted landowners and managers. This book provides a resource for identifying and controlling the worst 33 nonnative plants that are aggressively invading the Southern region. The identification section of the guide provides complete easy-to-read descriptions of each plant, its ecology, the plants it resembles, and history and use. Detailed photographs illustrate how the plant looks in different seasons of the year, including leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, and overall shape. The guide also includes maps showing states where infestations occur. Other invasive plants of major concern are also listed.

Impacts
This book provides a resource for identifying and controlling the worst 33 nonnative plants that are aggressively invading the Southern region.

Publications

  • Fischer, J.B.; Miller, J.H. 2003. Use of ion chromatography for analysis of macro-nutrients in Mehlich 1 extracts of unfertilized forest soils. [Abstract]. In: 226th Annual Meeting of the American Chemical Society, 2003, September 7-11, New York, NY. Division of Agrochemicals. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society, Division of Agrochemicals: Abstracts of the Division of Agrochemicals, Issue No. 65, Abstract No. 4
  • Miller, J.H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: A field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep SRS--62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 p.
  • Miller, J.H.; Chambliss, E.B.; Bargeron, C.T. 2003. Invasive Plants of the thirteen southern states. http://www.invasive.org/seweeds.cfm.
  • Miller, J.H.; Harrington, T.B. 2003. Chinese Privit control- comparing herbicides, rates, timings, and formulations [Abstract]. In: 5th annual SE-EPPC (Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council) Symposia, 2003, May 15-17, Lexington, KY. Nashville, TN: Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council
  • Dow Agro Sciences. 2003. The bottom line-forestry 2003 [Brochure]. Indianapolis, IN: 2 p.
  • Anon. 2003. Here's how to control Kudzu. The Forestry source. 8(5): 11.
  • Clark, A., III ; Daniels, R.F.; Miller, J.H. 2003. Effect of controlling herbaceous and woody vegetation on wood quality of planted loblolly pine [Abstract]. In: Forest Products Society 57th Annual Meeting, 2003, June 22-25, Bellevue, WA. 57th Annual Meeting of the Forest Products Society. Madison, WI: Forest Products Society: 7
  • Faircloth, W.H.; Patterson, M.G.; Teem, D.H.; Miller, J.H. 2003. Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica): Management tactics on rights-of-way. [Abstract]. In: Southern Weed Science Society 56th Annual Meeting. Invasive Weeds: Real or Imagined Threat? Champaign, IL: Southern Weed Science Society: 162


Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02

Outputs
The first step in fighting invasive plants is to develop identification skills. To address this a list of the worst 33 invasive plants in the Southeast was developed from State and agency lists. Detailed, true color guides were developed in cooperation with FIA. Exotic Pest Plants Guide of Southeastern Forests was designed to train survey crews to do the first region-wide survey of exotic pest plants. Six States were added to the survey this year. The guide is now available to other users through the SRS FIA website. A limited hard-copy edition has been produced for the survey crews. A follow-up large volume printing with multi-agency funding is underway with release projected for early in the next fiscal year with a working title Nonnative Plants invading Forests of the Southern United States: a field guide for identification and control. The identification guidebook was also made available to forest users and managers through the nationally recognized exotic species website at the University of Georgia known as "The Bugwood Network".

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • Miller, James H.; Rudis, Victor A. 2001. Region-wide monitoring of invasive pest plants in southeastern forests has begun by Forest Service and State partners [Abstract]. In: Rescuing our natural heritage: program and abstracts of the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council 4th annual symposium; 2001 April 3-5; Nashville, TN. Nashville, TN: Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council: 15-16.
  • Miller, James H.; Zutter, Bruce R.; Zedaker, Shepard M. [and others]. 2002. A regional study of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantation development during the first 15 years after early complete woody and/or herbeceous plant control. In: Frochot, H.; Collet, C.; Balandier, P., comps. Popular summaries from the fourth international conference on forest vegetation management; 2002 June 17-21; Nancy, France. Champenoux, France: Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique: 170-172.
  • Miller, James H.; Zutter, Bruce R.; Zedaker, Shepard M. [and others]. 2002. A regional study of loblolly pine plantation development through 15 years after early complete woody and/or herbaceous plant control (COMP) [Abstract]. In: New century: new opportunities: 55th annual Southern Weed Science Society meeting; 2002 January 28-30; Atlanta. Champaign, IL: Southern Weed Science Society: 75.
  • Miller, James H.; Zutter, Bruce R.; Zedaker, Shepard M. [and others]. 2002. Relationships among woody and herbaceous competition and loblolly pine through mid-rotation (COMP) [Abstract]. In: New century: new opportunities: 55th annual Southern Weed Science Society meeting; 2002 January 28-30; Atlanta. Champaign, IL: Southern Weed Science Society: 75.
  • Brockway, Dale G.; Gatewood, R.G.; Paris, R.B. 2002. Restoring fire as an ecological process in shortgrass prairie ecosystems: initial effects of prescribed burning during the dormant and growing seasons. Journal of Environmental Management. 65(2002): 135-152. Brockway, Dale G.; Gatewood, R.G.; Paris, R.B. 2002. Restoring grassland savannas from degraded pinyon-juniper woodlands: effects of mechnical overstory reduction and slash treatment alternatives. Journal of Environmental Management. 64(2002): 179-197.
  • Miller, James H. 2001. How do you practice silviculture without knowing forest plants?: tools for learning about the plants in your forest [Abstract]. In: Abstracts, eleventh biennial southern silviculture research conference; 2001 March 20-22; Knoxville, TN. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 43.
  • Miller, James H. 2001. Pine plantation communities: how do we begin to manage for plant diversity? In: Proceedings, 54th annual meeting. New century: new opportunities. Southern Weed Society. 54: 215-219.
  • Miller, James H. 2001. Region-wide monitoring of exotic pest plants in southeastern forests by Forest Service and State partners [Abstract]. In: Program and abstracts: SAMAB 12th annual conference: Southern Appalachian man and the biosphere: from issues to action: opportunities for stewardship in the southern Appalachians. [Gatlinburg, TN]: Publisher unknown]: 17.
  • Miller, James H. 2002. Exotic pest plants and their control. The Bugwood Network. http://www.bugwood.caes.uga.edu/weeds/forestexotics.html. 24 p. [Date accessed: July 10, 2002].
  • Miller, James H. 2002. Within-band spray distribution for nozzles used for herbaceous plant control. News for Forest Herbicide Applicators. [Newsletter]. Research Triangle Park, NC: BASF Corporation. (1)April 2002: [Not paged].
  • Blaustein, Richard J. 2001. Kudzu's invasion into Southern United States life and culture. In: McNeely, Jeffery A., ed. The great reshuffling: human dimensions of invasive species. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: 55-62.
  • Faircloth, Wilson; Patterson, M.G.; Miller, J.H. 2001. Efforts to control cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] in Alabama [Abstract]. In: Rescuing our natural heritage: program and abstracts of the Southeastern Exotic Pest Plant Council 4th annual symposium; 2001 April 3-5; Nashville, TN. Nashville, TN: Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council: 11-12.
  • Nation, Fred; Miller, James H.; Ellis, Tom. 2002. Exotic pest plants of coastal Alabama. Series 1; rev. June 2002. Bay Minette, AL: Baldwin County soil and water conservation district, Baldwin County forestry planning committee. Fairhope, AL: Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. 2 p.
  • Bovey, Rodney W.; Miller, James H. 2001. Woody plants and woody plant management: ecology, safety, and environmental impact. Forest Science. 47(4): 589-590.
  • Brockway, Dale G.; Gatewood, R.G.; Paris, R.B. 2002. Restoring fire as an ecological process in shortgrass prairie ecosystems: initial effects of prescribed burning during the dormant and growing seasons. Journal of Environmental Management. 65(2002): 135-152.