M. S.

National Forest timber management in the southern Appalachians is changing from traditional even-aged management and clearcutting to uneven-aged management and group selection silviculture. Group selection, with its small 1/2-to-2-acre patch cuts widely dispersed throughout a timber stand, has the potential to substantially increase timber harvesting costs over traditional clearcutting. This could exacerbate the below-cost timber sale issue. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of groups election silviculture on timber harvest productivity and cost in hardwood stands of the southern Appalachians. This was accomplished by collecting and analyzing field production and cost data from typical Appalachian loggers operating on group-selection timber sales. Three logging systems were chosen for the study: (1) cable yarder ,(skyline) system; (2) feller-buncher/cable skidder system; and (3) motor-manual chainsaw felling/cable skidding system. At least one full week of time-study production data was collected at each location. cost information was obtained from the cooperating loggers' records, as well as historic production and cost data from previous clearcut sales for comparison purposes. study results show that production was reduced and unit cost increased for all three logging systems when operating on group-selection timber sales as compared to clearcutting. unit cost per ton for the cable yarder system was $40.18, a 29 percent increase over their previous average clearcutting cost. The fellerbuncher/cable skidder system unit cost per ton was $14.79, a 19 percent increase over this system's average clearcutting cost. The chainsaw felling/cable skidder system cost of $16.15 per ton was 33 percent above their normal clearcutting cost. A large increase in delays and unproductive time as a result of specific group-selection timber sale characteristics appears to be the major cause of reduced logging productivity and increased costs. / Master of Science

This thesis examines the history of the Folk Festival of the Smokies, which sought to preserve old-time music as an expression of southern Appalachian regional culture. The study uses qualitative methods, including personal interviews with one of the founders and significant festival participants, supplemented with archival and historical research into photographs, festival performances and literature regarding the festival. Since the festival operated for thirty-three years as a small festival in a relatively isolated location in eastern Tennessee, this case study serves as an example of the role of festivals in intangible cultural heritage preservation in relatively rural settings. The legacy of the festival is examined, along with its impact on succeeding festivals. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the role and future of music festivals in the old-time music community.

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This study has been conducted in order to determine whether yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera Michx.), has the economic and technical potential to be manufactured and marketed as oriented strandboard (OSB) in Elkins, West Virginia and Frederick, Maryland. The estimated annual excess growth of yellow-poplar near Elkins could provide more than enough timber to supply a 120 MMSF OSB facility (3/8-inch basis); however, the estimated annual excess growth of yellow-poplar available near Frederick is insufficient to provide the total wood requirement for a facility of this size. Yellow-poplar is a relatively low density species, and is suitable for the production of OSB. The manufacture of yellow-poplar OSB is viable, employing commercially available technology. OSB is a suitable substitute for softwood plywood sheathing. The panel markets within radii of approximately 300 miles of both Elkins, West Virginia and Frederick, Maryland are sufficient to support the addition of a 120 MMSF OSB facility at either location. Equipment and operating requirements and costs have been estimated for 1982. Using a USDA Forest Service computer program, EVALUE, an internal rate of return on investment (IRR) of 15.2 percent was calculated for Elkins, and 14.3 percent for Frederick. The sensitivity of facility productivity to an increase of 10 percent in the cost of wood, and resin, and to a 10 percent decrease in the price of panels has also been calculated. / M.S.

Thin-skinned models of deformation are currently accepted for the southern Appalachians. The mechanics of this type of deformation are not well understood. The Saltville thrust, a major overthrust in the southern Appalachians, was investigated with respect to deformation mechanics. Thrust termination occurs in the overturned, northwest facing Sinking Creek anticline, at the juncture between the southern and central Appalachians . The primary regional displacement transfer mechanism at the thrust terminus is the transition from faulting to folding. Mesoscopic fabrics show variations in deformation intensity across the anticline, with high strains on the northwest limb, and low strains on the upright southeast limb. Strain accommodation on the overturned limb was by folding, faulting, and cleavage development. Knox Dolomite in the core of the anticline is upward facing and unfolded. Strain patterns and facing data indicate that shear thrusting at depth caused passive regional folding. Subsequent movement caused the thrust to act as a break thrust and cut previously folded strata. Cataclasis is the primary bulk deformation mechanism along the thrust surface. Cataclastic fabrics in dolomites range from protocataclasites to ultracataclasites, and reflect changes in frictional grinding. Foliated cataclasites are described. Fault-rock fabrics indicate that thrust-sheet emplacement occurred through seismic failure, facilitated by transient, abnormally high pore pressures, and aseismic failure accomplished within a layer of cataclastically flowing gouge. Thin fault zones and rapid decreases in deformation intensity away from the fault surface indicate rapid sliding, and a lack of frictional grinding. / M.S.