Interest in wood-based bio-energy systems in the United States is increasing and may play a part in future renewable energy initiatives (Dincer 2000). Family forests have potential to play an important role in supplying wood biomass for energy production. However, access depends mostly on the management intentions among family forest owners. Enhanced biomass markets in regions where family forest ownership dominates could increase productivity by reinvigorating the low-value merchandizing required to accomplish silvicultural objectives. Given diverse owner objectives and forest types on family forests, estimates of biomass availability must include both biophysical and social aspects of procurable feedstock. This thesis chronicles a biosocial case study that estimates potential biomass supply from 51 family forests in Virginia and North Carolina. The study occurred within a woodshed centered on the future site of an impending ethanol plant in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. A survey instrument using the theory of planned behavior was used to measure ownership characteristics and intention to harvest. Forest attributes were collected during property visits to estimate potential yields resulting from silvicultural simulations. Results reveal that forest cover-type and tree size significantly affect owner intentions to harvest and owner attitudes toward harvesting partially mediate this relationship. Outputs from silvicultural simulations correspond with those made using Forest Inventory and Analysis data within the study region. Disproportionality was examined by coupling social and biological drivers of sustainable wood biomass availability. Implications of the research include refined estimates of potential supply and demonstrating a multi-scalar, mixed-method approach for assessing wood biomass availability. / Master of Science

Globally, wind power is leading the renewable energy revolution. While carbon neutral and cost-effective, wind energy infrastructure is immobile and has the potential to profoundly change land use and the visible landscape. As wind technology takes its place as a key contributor to the US energy grid, it becomes clear that these types of projects will come into greater contact with areas occupied by humans, and eventually with wilderness and other more natural areas. This increased visibility and close proximity necessitates the development of future wind farm sites that afford opportunities for auxiliary uses while maintaining their intrinsic value as energy producers. In short, it is important for wind farms to be versatile because land is a finite resource and because over time, increasing numbers of these sites will occupy our landscapes. In the Eastern US, the majority of onshore wind resources suitable for energy development are found along ridge lines in the Appalachian mountains. These mountains are ancient focal points in the landscape, and subsequently host myriad sites of historic, recreational, and scenic significance. In the future, these windswept ridges will likely become targets for wind energy development. This thesis demonstrates a methodology for the thoughtful siting and design of future wind projects in the Appalachian mountains. Opportunities for offsite views, diversified trail experiences, and planned timber harvests are realized by locating a seven-turbine wind park adjacent to the Appalachian Trail in Cherokee National Forest in Carter county, Tennessee. The proposed wind park demonstrates the sound possibility of thoughtfully integrating wind infrastructure along Appalachian ridges in conjunction with forestry and recreation opportunities, such as hiking and camping. The design is a wind park rather than a wind farm because in addition to its inherent function as a production landscape, it is also a place that is open to the general public for recreational use. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Solitary Vireos (Vireo solitarius alticola) were studied on an extensive mature forest landscape in 1994 and on three sites harvested using the group selection method in 1995. Pairing success was 88% on the unharvested site in 1994, however it was lower on the harvested sites in 1995 (53.8%). Low reproductive success was observed in both years (12% and 22% respectively). In 1995, the amount of opening within a 200 meter radius of the first observation point of a male was positively related to pairing success (p<0.05). This suggests that females may be cueing in on the increased number of shrubs in and around openings. / Master of Science

Amphibians, because of their semi-permeable skin, sensitivity to changing microclimates, and important role in ecosystems, are often viewed as indicators of ecosystem health. They make excellent organisms for studies on the effects of silvicultural practices. My goal was to provide recommendations for forest management in the southern Appalachians so that harvesting operations are compatible with maintaining healthy populations of forest amphibians. I tested previously created habitat models that determined the most important habitat characteristics for salamanders. I counted salamanders in 240 10 x 10 m plots located in the MeadWestvaco Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest in north-central West Virginia. We also collected a variety of habitat data in these plots to predict salamander abundance with previously created models. These simple linear regression analyses of predicted versus observed values suggest for most models (7 out of 9) a weak relationship between predicted and observed values (R2 from 0.0033 to 0.2869, p from < 0.0001 to 0.7490). However, one of the models showed characteristics suggesting that it predicted new data as well or better than the original data, and therefore was the most accurate at predicting salamander abundance, and could be used for management purposes, although there was still much unexplained variation. This model included the variables woody stems (< 7.5 cm DBH), available rock, riparian status (i.e., within 15 m of a stream), percent overstory canopy cover, and available highly decomposed woody debris (decomposition classes 3 to 5). All of these relationships were positive except for woody stems, suggesting that in order to maintain healthy populations of salamanders, we should protect areas next to streams, with high amounts of rock, decomposed woody debris, overstory canopy cover, and few woody stems. I also examined the immediate effects of clearcuts on salamander movement and population estimates. I batch marked salamanders in plots at the edges of a clearcut, and in a control plot. Using the Schnabel estimator, I estimated population sizes in each plot. I then compared population estimates pre- and post-harvest on the interior (harvested) and exterior (unharvested) sides of the plots, taking into account the control plot. I also examined adult-juvenile ratios and movements from one side of the plot to the other. I found no significant changes (p > 0.05) following harvest in any of these measures, suggesting that salamanders do not move out of the harvested area post-harvest, at least over the short term (10 months of this study). This suggests that a longer period of time (> 1 year) is required to observe the population declines detected in most studies. / Master of Science

Varietal forestry may increase the productivity of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in the Southern United Sates. However, the effects of these genetic x environment interactions are still poorly understood. In this study we examined the responses in growth, stand uniformity and leaf level physiology of loblolly pine clonal varieties and families to silvicultural intensity and site effects. We also looked for patterns in observed traits that were consistent between crown ideotypes. Two varieties of each crown ideotype (narrow vs broad crowns) and two families (controlled mass pollinated (CMP) and open pollinated (OP) family) were tested on the Virginia Piedmont (VA) and the North Carolina Coastal Plain (NC) under different silvicultural intensities (operational vs intensive), and planting density (617, 1235 and 1852 trees per hectare). Data were collected during the first four growing season after establishment. At NC, intensive silviculture increased crown-width, height and dbh by 33%, 14%, and 23%, respectively. At VA, intensive silviculture increased crown-width, height and dbh by 41%, 10%, and 23%, respectively. Intensive silviculture also increased slightly but significantly the stand uniformity of stem growth. However, the differences in productivity between silvicultural treatments were not explained by differences in leaf-level physiology. Across all treatments and sites the varieties generally grew faster than the OP family, but the differences were higher at VA. Varieties did not differ in stem growth, but the broadest crown variety had greater stand uniformity, photosynthetic rate (Asat), carbon isotope discrimination (∆¹³) and lower fascicle size than the OP family. None of the traits assessed inthis study was consistent within the ideotypes. Varieties classified in the same crown-ideotypes may respond differently to the environmental effects of site and silviculture, which reinforces the need of matching varietal forestry with precision silviculture to achieve gains in productivity. / Ph. D.

Over one million hectares of pocosins and wet flats in the southeastern coastal plain are intensively managed for the production of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations. These management activities may have adverse effects on soil physical properties, site hydrology, and overall site productivity. Substantial quantities of wood residues are often left on these sites by timber harvesting operations, and it was hypothesized that the incorporation of this slash into the soil could improve the soil physical properties and site hydrology. One organic pocosin site and one mineral wet flat site were chosen post-harvest for treatment. The wet flat study was organized as an incomplete block design having four blocks and six treatments: (i) conventional bedding, (ii) strip surface mulching with bedding, (iii) strip surface mulching with tillage and bedding, (iv) broadcast mulch without bedding, (v) broadcast mulch with bedding, and (vi) flat planted control. The pocosin study was organized as a randomized complete block design with four blocks and four treatments. The treatments are identical to those of the wet flat site without the broadcast mulch treatments (iv and v). Soil physical property data was analyzed pre- and post-treatment, while post-treatment site hydrology and soil water chemistry data was analyzed periodically for one year. Seedling survival and height data were analyzed after one growing season. The treatments had little effect on soil physical properties, site hydrology, soil water nutrients, or seedling survival on the wet flat study site. Bedding in general significantly increased tree height growth, but mulching had no significant effects. The treatments had little effect on soil physical properties on the pocosin study site except for soil macroporosity, which was significantly increased by bedding. Site hydrology and soil water nutrients were not significantly affected by the treatments, but seedling survival and height growth were significantly increased by bedding. Mulching had no significant effects on any of the parameters studied. / Master of Science

Harvesting practices in the southern Appalachians have moved away from clearcutting in favor of variable retention harvesting systems. A study was initiated in 1995-8 to investigate the effects of retaining varying numbers of residual trees on regeneration in seven silvicultural treatments. A second study specifically focused on stump sprouting in only three of those treatments. The treatments for first study included: a clearcut, commercial harvest, leave-tree, shelterwood, group selection, midstory treatment, and an uncut control. The second only focused on the clearcut, leave-tree, and shelterwood. These treatments were implemented in seven stands in Virginia and West Virginia over two physiographic provinces, the Appalachian plateau and Ridge and Valley. The stands were even-aged oak dominated Appalachian hardwood stands on fair quality sites with average ages ranging from 63 to 100 yrs. Permanent plots were randomly located in each stand and all overstory trees (>5m tall) were inventoried and tagged prior to harvest. Regeneration was also quantified. Harvest occurred between 1995-8. For the current studies the plots were re-inventoried 9-11 years post-harvest and all regeneration in all treatments as well as stump sprouts in the selected treatments were quantified. The first study utilized a mixed model ANOVA to analyze five species groups: oak, maple, black cherry-yellow-poplar, miscellaneous, and midstory. Response variables included importance value, average height, and density compared within species group and among treatments. Differences between sprout and seedling origin regeneration were also investigated within species group among treatment. Results indicated that oak densities were similar in all of the treatments, and stump sprouts were larger and more frequent than seedlings. Maple exhibited an increase from pre-harvest overstory importance and exhibited competitive sprouting. The black cherry-yellow-poplar group had few but highly competitive sprouts and a considerable increase in seedling origin regeneration in all treatments. The miscellaneous species densities increased as well with more competitive sprouting in some treatments. The midstory species were excluded from the analysis as it was assumed these species would not occupy canopy positions in a mature stand. The second study investigated differences in the percent of stumps that sprouted and the number of sprouts per stump. The percent data were analyzed using a non-parametric one-way ANOVA and regression analysis, while the sprouts per stump data were compared in a mixed model ANOVA and regression. Species were combined into six groups: the red oak group, chestnut oak, red maple, white oak/hickory group, mixed mesic group, and midstory group. The plateau tended to have reduced sprouting compared to the Ridge and Valley for most species groups and treatments. The red oak group, chestnut oak, and red maple exhibited reduced sprouting with increased residual basal area. The mixed mesic group did not show any effect in sprouting related to residual basal area. Only chestnut oak showed fewer sprouts per stump as residual basal area increased. / Master of Science

Chemical site preparation is used to enhance the productivity of loblolly pine plantations; however, it is most often combined with other methods and/or chemical release, and has been studied little on its own. Our study, conducted in the Virginia piedmont, compares the effects of various site preparation applications of imazapyr and their timings (July 23rd, September 3rd, and October 1st 2005) against a year-two chemical release (September 12th 2007), and an untreated check, all following a site preparation burn (June 15, 2005). Testing for additive effects, site preparation treatments were conducted with and without, sulfometuron methyl (SMAX) which targets herbaceous vegetation. Half of all treatments, including the check and release, received a year-one weed control treatment (H) of imazapyr and SMAX. Pines were measured every few years, including the latest measurement in year 14 (2019). Competing hardwood vegetation basal area was measured in year 14. All site preparation treatments reduced competition levels compared to the check, and an inverse relationship exists between competition level and pine volume. Adding SMAX resulted in less effective competition control, but had little effect on pine volumes. Adding H decreased average competition levels, and increased pine volumes. H treatments had the most effect at improving early season (July) applications. September and October treatments generally had more effect than July and the year-two release at controlling competing vegetation, and also showed higher individual pine tree volumes than all other treatments. Chemical site preparation treatments, even performed alone, appear to be valid means of improving pine stands. / Master of Science / Competing vegetation has a negative effect on planted pine production. Areas are often prepared with herbicides or mechanical removal of vegetation before crop-trees are planted (site preparation), or receive herbicide treatments after planting (release), to reduce levels of competition. Our study focuses on pre-planting herbicide (imazapyr with and without sulfometuron methyl) use at different timings (July 23rd, September 3rd, and October 1st). A chemical that targets herbaceous vegetation (sulfometuron methyl) was included in half of the pre-planting treatments, and half of all treatments, including the otherwise untreated check and year-two release, received an added weed control treatment in year-one. This was done to test for potential additive effects of chemical vegetation control options on pine productivity. September and October treatments have a greater effect at controlling competition 14 years since treatment and increasing pine volumes than the July, year-two release, and check. The added herbaceous control increased competition levels on average, without having an effect on the planted pine volumes. The year-one weed control decreased competition levels, and increased pine productivity, particularly within the July treatments. Overall, preparing sites with herbicide is beneficial to the pine stand, even when performed alone. Adding the herbaceous vegetation control is likely not necessary, and the extra year-one weed control may provide a boost to herbicide treatments applied earlier in the season.

Survival and growth of planted trees are common indices used to evaluate success of wetland restoration efforts used to compensate for wetland losses. Restoration efforts on marginal agricultural lands typically result in less than satisfactory survival and growth of desired tree species. This study evaluated seed source ecotype, greenhouse preconditioning and combinations of five mechanical site preparation techniques (mound, bed, rip, disk, pit), four levels of planting stock (gallon, tubeling, bare root, and direct seed), and three planting aids (mat, tube, none) on the survival and growth of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and willow oak (Quercus phellos L.) planted on an old field riparian area in the Virginia Piedmont. American sycamore seedlings subjected to greenhouse flood preconditioning had 25% greater height and willow oak seedlings grown under normal greenhouse conditions had 18% greater diameter, but these greenhouse adaptations did not confer greater survivability or growth after field planting. American sycamore seeds sourced from dry ecotypes were 14% taller than wet ecotype seeds, and willow oak acorns sourced from wet ecotypes were 11% taller than dry ecotype acorns, indicating that parental ecotype may influence survivability and growth. The combination of mounding site preparation and gallon planting stock increased mean survival to 100% and aboveground dry biomass (5.44 Mg/ha/yr) in American sycamore. Willow oak had 45% greater woody stem volume with mounding site preparation 80% greater woody stem volume with gallon and bare root planting stock. Tubeling planting stock provided significant benefit relative to the low planting stock cost for American sycamore, while bare root seedlings were shown to be an effective planting stock for willow oak. The use of appropriate ecotype seed sources, use of mounding mechanical site preparation techniques and planting of species appropriate planting stock increased survival and growth of common early and mid-successional Piedmont tree species on marginal agricultural lands. Treatments that appear to be economically viable for restoration and mitigation efforts could potentially offer other economic incentives such as short rotation woody crops and timber value, which might induce additional private landowners to attempt restoration efforts in marginal old field riparian areas. / Doctor of Philosophy / In order to offset the loss of wetlands due to development, strategies are needed to create wetlands in areas along streams that are unfarmed. Survival and growth of planted trees are commonly used to evaluate the success of these new wetland areas. The goal of this research is to provide alternative methods to increase survival and growth of two common trees planted in the Piedmont of Virginia. The results show that creating mounds of soil before planting trees and planting larger trees will increase tree survival and growth in these wetland areas. Landowners and land managers can use these methods to increase the value of unfarmed land along streams while also increasing water quality and providing habitat animals that use the streams and wetlands.

In an attempt to provide low-cost, low-input alternatives for regenerating pine-hardwood mixtures, this study examined several mechanisms that influence the growth of pine-hardwood stands. The Regeneration Alternatives Study is an ongoing experiment that was designed to gain biological and economical information concerning the growth and yield of loblolly pine and mixed hardwood species. Low-cost herbicide applications (stump treatment, basal stem spray, release, and soil spot release) were used to control competing vegetation during the study. The four even-aged regeneration treatments applied to loblolly pine and mixed hardwood stands of this study had a significant effect on their growth. Loblolly pine growth increased and mixed hardwood growth decreased as the intensity of herbicide treatment increased for all age classes. In general, loblolly pine was more productive with more intense treatment applications on poorer sites following a growing season harvest. Hardwood species were more productive with less intense treatment applications on higher-quality sites following a dormant season harvest for all age classes. Loblolly pine planting following clearfelling, coupled with a herbicide stump and release treatment (treatment 4), resulted in the highest yields of loblolly pine, the greatest economic returns, and the greatest level of site utilization. However, treatment 4 also resulted in the lowest yield of mixed hardwoods and the lowest level of species richness. Loblolly pine planting following clearfelling, with (treatment 3) and without (treatment 2) a hardwood stump treatment application, resulted in a more even distribution of pines and hardwoods, depending on the treatment. Treatment 3 favored loblolly pine growth, especially following a growing season harvest on poor sites. Treatment 2 favored mixed hardwood growth, especially following a dormant season harvest on good sites. There were no differences between methods of release (basal spray or soil spot herbicide application). Economically, treatments 2 and 3 did not realize a profit on returns. Pine yields, dbh, and basal area were all significantly greater following a summer season harvest as opposed to pine growth following a winter harvest with the same chemical treatments. The pine growth data indicated that less intense chemical treatments following a summer harvest can achieve the same or greater growth results than more intense chemical treatments following a winter harvest. The results of this study indicate a significant biological and economic tradeoff, depending on the level of hardwood control applied and the time of harvesting. / Master of Science