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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES in rocky mountain coniferous ...

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GROUP SELECTION: A1 1 merchantab le trees were harvested <strong>in</strong> 8, 1 to 2 acre<br />

(0.4 to 0.8 ha) irregular plots.<br />

CLEARCUT: A1 1 merchantable trees were harvested. Lower unit: 11 -5 acres (4.7<br />

ha). Higher unit: 12.6 acres (5.1 ha).<br />

Residue Subtreatments<br />

With<strong>in</strong> all harvest<strong>in</strong>g treatments, 4 levels of residue utilization were applied<br />

(table 2). In tables 2-and 3, subtreatments are listed <strong>in</strong> order of <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g % of<br />

orig<strong>in</strong>al wood volume removed. For example, <strong>in</strong> the higher shelterwood unit, 86% of the<br />

orig<strong>in</strong>al volume rema<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the sawlog subtreatment after logg<strong>in</strong>g and only 42% <strong>in</strong> the<br />

near complete subtreatment. However, <strong>in</strong> terms of absolute volume rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>a, <strong>in</strong>creas-<br />

ed utilization or orig<strong>in</strong>al volume did not always result <strong>in</strong> less volume rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g on<br />

the site because of differences <strong>in</strong> the pre-logg<strong>in</strong>q volume. The amount of woody<br />

material available (as substrate for <strong>in</strong>sect prey), not the % of orig<strong>in</strong>al material<br />

removed, is the parameter relevant to woodpecker feed<strong>in</strong>g opportunities. Therefore,<br />

the sequence of subtreatment units <strong>in</strong> most of the rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g figures and tables shows<br />

decreas<strong>in</strong>g amounts of woody material rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g after logg<strong>in</strong>g and subtreatment. The<br />

wood-fiber utilization specification for any unit can be traced back to table 2,<br />

regardless of its place <strong>in</strong> the sequence.<br />

TABLE 2. Specifications for the 4 residue utilization subtreatments.<br />

Utilization<br />

Su btrea tmen t Specification<br />

"Sawlog" (SL)--current sawlog Trees > 7 <strong>in</strong> (17.8 cm) dbh were cut; logs > 6 <strong>in</strong><br />

utilization standards (1 5.2 Fm) small end diameter were removed and the<br />

area was burned* after harvest.<br />

"Intensive log" (IL) Trees > 7 <strong>in</strong> (17.8 cm) dbh were cut; logs > 8 ft<br />

(2.4 mr long and > 3 <strong>in</strong> (7.6 cm) small end-diameter<br />

util ized and rema7n<strong>in</strong>g trees and understory were pro-<br />

tected as far as possible and left as advanced regen-<br />

eration.<br />

"Intensive tree" (IT) All material 2 8 ft (2.4 m) long with > 3 <strong>in</strong> (7.6 cm)<br />

small end diameter was removed (this <strong>in</strong>cluded trees<br />

- > 5 <strong>in</strong> (12.7 cm) dbh) and the area was burned* after<br />

harvest .<br />

"Near complete1' (NC) All trees > 1 <strong>in</strong> (2.5 cm) dbh were cut and removed and<br />

the area was left "as is" after harvest.<br />

*Su btreatments <strong>in</strong> 1 ower she1 terwood were not burned.

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