Biomass removal and nutrient drain as affected by total-tree harvest in southern pine and hardwood stands
When all above-stump parts of southern pine trees are harvested, only 16 to 22 percent more biomass is obtained than in conventional harvests. This additional biomass is of low quality because of its high moisture and bark content and low wood specific gravity. In addition, its harvest doubles the removal of certain important soil nutrients. When hardwood stands are total-tree harvested, the additional biomass yield is 30 to 100 percent higher than in conventional harvests, and the quality of biomass for fuel and fiber is above that for pine stands. Nutrient drain for hardwood stands logged by total-tree methods is 2 to 3 times that in conventional harvesting, but the drain may be less critical than for pine stands because rotations are generally longer and soil nutrient reserves are often higher. Total-tree harvesting has made many hardwood stands operable that previously were not, thereby increasing the silvicultural opportunity to improve the stands. Judged by these comparisons, total-tree harvesting would appear to be more attractive, both economically and ecologically, in hardwood stands than in pine.
- Research Organization:
- Clemson Univ., SC
- OSTI ID:
- 5523827
- Journal Information:
- J. For.; (United States), Journal Name: J. For.; (United States) Vol. 82:9; ISSN JFUSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Yield and nutrient removal by whole-tree harvest of a young bottomland hardwood stand. Forest Service research note
Soil nutrient changes following whole tree harvesting on three northern hardwood sites
Related Subjects
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONIFERS
ECOLOGY
ECONOMICS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
HARVESTING
NUTRIENTS
PINES
PLANTS
REMOVAL
TREES