Riparian forest buffer income opportunities: A hybrid poplar case study

摘要

Forested buffers are frequently recommended to protect agricultural watercourses. However, little is known about their contribution to farm economy. We investigated the income potential of a riparian buffer located on a western Washington blueberry farm by inventorying the trees in the buffer, developing several management scenarios for the trees, and evaluating the economic potential of each scenario. The issue weather or not a harvested buffer could adequately maintain its environmental function was beyond the scope of this research. Results show that a positive net present value can be achieved in the buffer by harvesting 50 percent of the timber volume and selling half as veneer logs. Net present value was slightly negative when only one third of the harvestable timber was sold. Harvest and sale of only pulpwood was not found to be profitable. Achieving a positive net return depended greatly on harvest volume. How much timber volume can be removed from a buffer without jeopardizing its water protection function is currently unknown in western Washington. Poplar wood production returns are comparable to lower-end local crops such as hay and green peas. Environmental credits, such as carbon, water quality and habitat credits are potential future sources of income from riparian buffers. The use of alternative species and extension of the harvest age are also potential means of enhancing buffer net income on smaller acreages.