Forest Management and Silviculture for Bioenergy Production

Southern Landscape

Traditionally forest management has focused on the steady flow of benefits through long time spans on a forest or landscape level. It was primarily concerned with forest planning, economic analysis, harvest scheduling, and administration (Smith and others 1997). In the latter part of the last century, the concept of ecosystem management was espoused. According to Cornett (1994), "ecosystem management defines a paradigm that weaves biophysical and social trends into a tapestry of beauty, health, and sustainability. It embraces both social and ecologocial dynamics in a flexible and adaptive process." Ecosystem management has given a broader view to forest management.

An integral part of forest management is silviculture, which is defined as the science and art of managing forest stands and woodlands for the desired needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis (Helms 1998). Traditionally silviculture developed empirically as a way for a landowner to take an existing forest stand and through planned treatments create a stand that, with time, would meet defined goals or needs.

For NIPF owners, Hicks (1998) recommends the use of adaptive silviculture/management. In adaptive management there is a strong element of opportunism, while insisting on planning, goal setting, and implementation (see Forest Management Issues for Bioenergy Production by NIPFs about goal setting and management plans). Owners or foresters seek to adapt to the reality of the situation when developing sustainable silvicultural schedules. The objective is therefore to achieve the specified goals in the context of existing forest structures, changing market conditions, unpredictable events such as pest outbreaks, and within financial limitations. With adaptive management, goals can be more flexible and the forest manager can take advantage of new opportunities. If markets for biomass develop in the area, this may provide such an opportunity to adapt silviculture. Adaptive forest management suggested for small land owners has a different emphasis than adaptive forest management for large forest owners where the emphasis is on adapting management on the basis of ongoing monitoring and evaluation (Raison 2002).

In the utilization of biomass for energy, which is the focus here, it is important to view its utilization as an opportunity to provide improved and more cost effective silviculture and perhaps to enhance financial returns. It is recommended that the forest manager deliberately integrate bioenergy into silvicultural prescriptions.

The following sections provide more information related to specific silvicultural topics including:

• Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management
• Forest Management Issues for Bioenergy Production by NIPFs
• Biomass Harvesting and Its Silvicultural Implications
• Biomass Production by Forest Type
• Integrating Bioenergy Harvesting with Silviculture - A California Example
• Designing Low-Impact Operations