Increasing the impact of bottomland hardwood afforestation.

摘要

Since the early 1990s, restoration of bottomland forests via afforestation of formerly agricultural lands has represented a large investment of effort among professional foresters in the Mississippi River watershed. A combination of planted seedlings, direct sowing, and volunteer-origin trees have been used to stock stands, but with inconsistent results. Based on observations of early afforestation efforts and empirical research, strategies are presented to more effectively achieve restoration objectives through a combination of improved planning and intensive silviculture. The strategies used by foresters to achieve these goals include the following: (1) prioritize easily afforested sites; (2) accelerate stand development; (3) replicate natural stand structures and landscape patterns; and (4) replicate natural landscape patterns..