Natural tree regeneration after clearcutting in Arizona's ponderosa pine forests

Long-term natural regeneration of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), and alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana) was evaluated on two watersheds 23 and 31 years after clearcutting had removed the ponderosa pine forest overstories.On one watershed, where slash had been pushed, piled, and burned, the stocking and density of ponderosa pine seedlings declined, and have shown no increase since the initial post-clearing inventory.However, the stocking of Gambel oak and alligator juniper regeneration increased 1.5 and 2.5 times, respectively, and the density of both species increased from less than 100 stems per acre prior to clearing to almost 1,200 stems per acre 23 years after the treatment.The watershed has been removed from ponderosa pine production, but it still can be managed for fuelwood, forage, and wildlife habitat.On the other watershed, where grass production after clearcutting had been emphasized, relatively few stems per acre of any species were found 31 years after the treatment.Both of the watersheds demonstrated the slow recovery of trees following a major disturbance.If timber production is to be maintained, large clearings resulting from management or natural causes should be planted as soon as possible.

Agroforestry · Archaeology · Biology · Clearcutting · Geography · Logging · Natural (archaeology) · Natural forest · Natural regeneration · Regeneration (biology) · Silviculture · Term (time) · Tree (set theory) · Archaeology and Natural History · Environmental Science · Forest ecology and management · Forestry · Mathematics · Seedling growth and survival studies

• A review of catchment experiments to determine the effect of vegetation changes on water yield and evapotranspiration

  Open Access•J M Bosch, Jan Bosch et al.•Journal of Hydrology•1982

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