Ecology and Management of Central Hardwood Forests

A comprehensive guide to effective hardwood forest management Extending 235,000 square miles from New York to Georgia and from Virginia to Missouri, the Central Hardwoods Region harbors the most extensive concentration of deciduous hardwoods in the world. As harvests in the Pacific Northwest decline and timber prices rise, the maturing stands of mixed species in this central U.S. region are a rich and valuable resource that is increasingly vulnerable to exploitation. This timely book examines all of the key ecological, social, and economic management considerations essential to utilize and sustain these vital woodlands effectively. First, it develops the background necessary to understand what makes the hardwood eco-system function, with a thorough examination of the physiography, geology, soils, and climate of the region and a historical overview of its evolution and development from pre-European settlement to the present. Then, species by species, the book details the silvical characteristics of 34 important tree species. Next, it offers expert recommendations for effective forest treatment and management, from specific concerns such as timber production, pollution, and financial planning to broader issues, including the role of the natural resource manager and the biological potential of the entire region. Generously supplemented with graphs and photos, Ecology and Management of Central Hardwood Forests is important reading for foresters, natural resource managers, regional planners, environmental scientists, governmental officials-everyone with a stake in the future of this critical living resource.

RAY R. HICKS, Jr., is Professor of Forestry at West Virginia University. His research centers on ecological studies of forests, including nutrient cycling, forest health, and forest pest management.