Trade-offs in forest disturbance management for plant communities and ungulates

Teagan A. Hayes; Nicholas J. DeCesare; Collin J. Peterson; Chad J. Bishop; Michael S. Mitchell

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119972

Trade-offs in forest disturbance management for plant communities and ungulates

Teagan A. Hayes, Nicholas J. DeCesare, Collin J. Peterson, Chad J. Bishop, Michael S. Mitchell

W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Land and wildlife managers use disturbance to reset forests to earlier successional stages and improve the quality and quantity of forage available to ungulates. However, management of vegetation communities to increase forage nutrition has additional implications for other non-forage vegetation. To evaluate responses of vegetation to management of fire and timber harvest, we measured and modeled 3 metrics of vegetative response in 3 forested areas in Montana, USA during 2017–2019: forage nutrition for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), invasive species biomass, and floristic quality, a measure of plant communities’ tolerance of disturbances and fidelity to particular environments using native species conservatism scores. We found differences in all 3 metrics of plant responses that were specific to disturbance type and study area, and associations between disturbance and vegetation outcomes that were both desirable and undesirable. Generally, deer forage nutrition and invasive species biomass both increased in disturbed areas, whereas floristic quality increased with disturbance in 2 study areas but decreased in the third. Biomass of particular invasive species varied according to both study area and disturbance type. Lastly, we used decision analysis to illustrate trade-offs and overall support for different management actions while also accounting for underlying differences among study areas. For example, management actions with the greatest increase in mule deer forage nutrition tended to also increase invasive species biomass. Compared to other management actions, low-severity harvest scored highly in 2 study areas due to its association with increased forage nutrition while also limiting invasive species biomass and maintaining floristic quality. However, different weighting schemes according to different management priorities among management outcomes alter the relative ranking of actions. Our data show area-specific trade-offs in vegetation outcomes that result from disturbance management, which can be combined with decision analysis to help managers balance objectives and compare potential management actions.

Original language	English
Article number	119972
Journal	Forest Ecology and Management
Volume	506
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119972
State	Published - Feb 15 2022

Funding

This study was the result of collaboration between Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, and the University of Montana. Additional funding was provided by the Allan Foundation and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds (grant W-167-R) from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We thank T. Chilton-Radandt, B. Lonner, E. Lula, and T. Thier for their contributions to project development, planning, field work, and interpretation. Thanks also to other FWP staff for field and logistical assistance, including L. Anderson, N. Anderson, K. Annis, K. Carson, B. Chappelow, J. Coltrane, J. Gude, B. Jimenez, T. Manley, B. Murphy, C. Neu, J. Newby, W. Oedekoven, M. Post, K. Proffitt, J. Ramsey, N. Reiner, E. Schwam, J. Slobuszewski, T. Smucker, G. Taylor, E. Wenum, and others. We thank S. Arent, G. Barillas, N. Betz, P. Donati, K. Donnelly, M. Finch, L. Henzler, M. Heine, L. Hofweber, N. Jourdonnais, E. Krieger, E. McNeill, A. Meier, B. Sizer, T. Vent, and C. White. This study was the result of collaboration between Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, and the University of Montana. Additional funding was provided by the Allan Foundation and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds (grant W-167-R) from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We thank T. Chilton-Radandt, B. Lonner, E. Lula, and T. Thier for their contributions to project development, planning, field work, and interpretation. Thanks also to other FWP staff for field and logistical assistance, including L. Anderson, N. Anderson, K. Annis, K. Carson, B. Chappelow, J. Coltrane, J. Gude, B. Jimenez, T. Manley, B. Murphy, C. Neu, J. Newby, W. Oedekoven, M. Post, K. Proffitt, J. Ramsey, N. Reiner, E. Schwam, J. Slobuszewski, T. Smucker, G. Taylor, E. Wenum, and others. We thank S. Arent, G. Barillas, N. Betz, P. Donati, K. Donnelly, M. Finch, L. Henzler, M. Heine, L. Hofweber, N. Jourdonnais, E. Krieger, E. McNeill, A. Meier, B. Sizer, T. Vent, and C. White.

Funders	Funder number
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
W-167-R

Keywords

Decision analysis
Disturbance regime
Fire
Floristic quality assessment index
Forage
Forest management
Invasive species
Logging
Mule deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Structured decision making
Timber harvest

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119972

Cite this

@article{02ce65812c75435eb298d73e68bebb1a,

title = "Trade-offs in forest disturbance management for plant communities and ungulates",

abstract = "Land and wildlife managers use disturbance to reset forests to earlier successional stages and improve the quality and quantity of forage available to ungulates. However, management of vegetation communities to increase forage nutrition has additional implications for other non-forage vegetation. To evaluate responses of vegetation to management of fire and timber harvest, we measured and modeled 3 metrics of vegetative response in 3 forested areas in Montana, USA during 2017–2019: forage nutrition for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), invasive species biomass, and floristic quality, a measure of plant communities{\textquoteright} tolerance of disturbances and fidelity to particular environments using native species conservatism scores. We found differences in all 3 metrics of plant responses that were specific to disturbance type and study area, and associations between disturbance and vegetation outcomes that were both desirable and undesirable. Generally, deer forage nutrition and invasive species biomass both increased in disturbed areas, whereas floristic quality increased with disturbance in 2 study areas but decreased in the third. Biomass of particular invasive species varied according to both study area and disturbance type. Lastly, we used decision analysis to illustrate trade-offs and overall support for different management actions while also accounting for underlying differences among study areas. For example, management actions with the greatest increase in mule deer forage nutrition tended to also increase invasive species biomass. Compared to other management actions, low-severity harvest scored highly in 2 study areas due to its association with increased forage nutrition while also limiting invasive species biomass and maintaining floristic quality. However, different weighting schemes according to different management priorities among management outcomes alter the relative ranking of actions. Our data show area-specific trade-offs in vegetation outcomes that result from disturbance management, which can be combined with decision analysis to help managers balance objectives and compare potential management actions.",

keywords = "Decision analysis, Disturbance regime, Fire, Floristic quality assessment index, Forage, Forest management, Invasive species, Logging, Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, Structured decision making, Timber harvest",

author = "Hayes, \{Teagan A.\} and DeCesare, \{Nicholas J.\} and Peterson, \{Collin J.\} and Bishop, \{Chad J.\} and Mitchell, \{Michael S.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Elsevier B.V.",

year = "2022",

month = feb,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119972",

language = "English",

volume = "506",

journal = "Forest Ecology and Management",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Trade-offs in forest disturbance management for plant communities and ungulates

AU - Hayes, Teagan A.

AU - DeCesare, Nicholas J.

AU - Peterson, Collin J.

AU - Bishop, Chad J.

AU - Mitchell, Michael S.

PY - 2022/2/15

Y1 - 2022/2/15

N2 - Land and wildlife managers use disturbance to reset forests to earlier successional stages and improve the quality and quantity of forage available to ungulates. However, management of vegetation communities to increase forage nutrition has additional implications for other non-forage vegetation. To evaluate responses of vegetation to management of fire and timber harvest, we measured and modeled 3 metrics of vegetative response in 3 forested areas in Montana, USA during 2017–2019: forage nutrition for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), invasive species biomass, and floristic quality, a measure of plant communities’ tolerance of disturbances and fidelity to particular environments using native species conservatism scores. We found differences in all 3 metrics of plant responses that were specific to disturbance type and study area, and associations between disturbance and vegetation outcomes that were both desirable and undesirable. Generally, deer forage nutrition and invasive species biomass both increased in disturbed areas, whereas floristic quality increased with disturbance in 2 study areas but decreased in the third. Biomass of particular invasive species varied according to both study area and disturbance type. Lastly, we used decision analysis to illustrate trade-offs and overall support for different management actions while also accounting for underlying differences among study areas. For example, management actions with the greatest increase in mule deer forage nutrition tended to also increase invasive species biomass. Compared to other management actions, low-severity harvest scored highly in 2 study areas due to its association with increased forage nutrition while also limiting invasive species biomass and maintaining floristic quality. However, different weighting schemes according to different management priorities among management outcomes alter the relative ranking of actions. Our data show area-specific trade-offs in vegetation outcomes that result from disturbance management, which can be combined with decision analysis to help managers balance objectives and compare potential management actions.

AB - Land and wildlife managers use disturbance to reset forests to earlier successional stages and improve the quality and quantity of forage available to ungulates. However, management of vegetation communities to increase forage nutrition has additional implications for other non-forage vegetation. To evaluate responses of vegetation to management of fire and timber harvest, we measured and modeled 3 metrics of vegetative response in 3 forested areas in Montana, USA during 2017–2019: forage nutrition for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), invasive species biomass, and floristic quality, a measure of plant communities’ tolerance of disturbances and fidelity to particular environments using native species conservatism scores. We found differences in all 3 metrics of plant responses that were specific to disturbance type and study area, and associations between disturbance and vegetation outcomes that were both desirable and undesirable. Generally, deer forage nutrition and invasive species biomass both increased in disturbed areas, whereas floristic quality increased with disturbance in 2 study areas but decreased in the third. Biomass of particular invasive species varied according to both study area and disturbance type. Lastly, we used decision analysis to illustrate trade-offs and overall support for different management actions while also accounting for underlying differences among study areas. For example, management actions with the greatest increase in mule deer forage nutrition tended to also increase invasive species biomass. Compared to other management actions, low-severity harvest scored highly in 2 study areas due to its association with increased forage nutrition while also limiting invasive species biomass and maintaining floristic quality. However, different weighting schemes according to different management priorities among management outcomes alter the relative ranking of actions. Our data show area-specific trade-offs in vegetation outcomes that result from disturbance management, which can be combined with decision analysis to help managers balance objectives and compare potential management actions.

KW - Decision analysis

KW - Disturbance regime

KW - Fire

KW - Floristic quality assessment index

KW - Forage

KW - Forest management

KW - Invasive species

KW - Logging

KW - Mule deer

KW - Odocoileus hemionus

KW - Structured decision making

KW - Timber harvest

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85122038037

U2 - 10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119972

DO - 10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119972

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85122038037

SN - 0378-1127

VL - 506

JO - Forest Ecology and Management

JF - Forest Ecology and Management

M1 - 119972

ER -

Trade-offs in forest disturbance management for plant communities and ungulates

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

UN SDGs

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