Target stand structure – Longwood Forest
Operational research project code: SUS 704
The sustainable management plan for the Waitutu Incorporation forest (covering 11,000 hectares in the Longwood Forest) covers previously cleared second growth forest. While it prescribes sustainable rates of harvest and applies specific management prescriptions to the ongoing harvesting in the forest, it does not express a vision/target for the forest in terms of future structure, composition and particularly distribution of size and age classes within the forest. Areas harvested under the 0.5 hectare coupe harvest regime will regenerate into relatively even aged “third crop” stands that will require some silvicultural treatment to optimise their performance. In contrast, present trials in the forest, concentrating on small group harvesting will retain more of the “second growth” structure.
What is becoming clear in the evolving management of this forest, is that there needs to be a means of applying forest dynamics parameters and SFM Standards to identify and model the “target” stand that will result from this management activity. In turn this will provide a more objective basis for size class cutting strategies for the forest manager.
The results of this study will be a framework for the modelling of silver beech management in regenerated forest, utilising existing knowledge of silver beech autecology, the structure of the second growth forests, the management and ecological requirements of the approved sustainable forest management plan. This form of modelling will also have application to other SFM Plans and Permits in silver beech dominated forest, including SILNA lands in Southland.
Contact:
Alan Griffiths
Tel: 03 379 1986
Email: alan.griffiths@maf.govt.nz
Contact for Enquiries
Manager, Innovation Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand
Tel:+64 4 894 0618
Fax:+64 4 894 0741
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