Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1980

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Forestry

Major Professor

Edward R. Buckner

Committee Members

Boyd L. Dearden, Garland R. Wells

Abstract

Clearcutting is the primary silvicultural tool used by wildlife managers to increase the carrying capacity for white-tailed deer on many wildlife management areas. While the beneficial effects of this practice on carrying capacity are generally understood, its influence on stand structure and forest dynamics is poorly documented.

To better understand the impacts of clearcutting, as well as those of prescribed fire, on both short and long term management objectives, a study was initiated on the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) near Crossville, Tennessee, to provide field documentation of the effects of both complete and diameter limit (3 inches dbh) clearcutting on the composition of regeneration and the structure of the developing stand. This information will be used as validation for an independently derived stand succession computer model developed as an earlier phase of the study.

Two study sites, each approximately 40 acres in size, were established in an upland oak forest type, which is the dominant cover on the rolling uplands of the Cumberland Plateau as it occurs in Tennessee. At each site the following treatment plots (10 acres) were established: 1) a diameter limit clearcut removing all stems down to 3 inches dbh (following guidelines previously established by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for this area), 2) a complete clearcut in which all trees over 6 feet high were either harvested or felled, and 3) a control in which there was no cutting. Each of these main treatment plots were subdivided into burned and unburned subplots (5 acres). Subplots are to be burned once regeneration begins to grow out of reach of deer.

On each of the 5 acre subplots, 9 systematically arranged sample points were established providing plot center for concentric plots on which a pre-harvest inventory was made of: 1) merchantable timber (11.0 inches dbh and greater) on 1/5-acre plots, 2) pulpwood (stems between 3.0-10.9 inches dbh) on 1/20-acre plots, 3) sapling (stems between 6 feet high- 2.9 inches dbh) on 1/AO-acre plots, and 4) regeneration (stems less than 6 feet high) on 1/100-acre plots.

Logging of merchantable timber was accomplished in the fall, winter, and spring of 1978-1979. A followup operation assured the cutting of all stems greater than 3 inches dbh on the diameter limit clear-cuts, and all stems over 6 feet high on the complete cuts. Twenty-four deer and rabbit exclosures, each covering one-fortieth of an acre were erected to monitor the influence of browsing on vegetation regrowth. After one growing season, a post-harvest inventory was conducted to characterize the stands that were developing.

There was no significant difference in the composition and structure of the regeneration mix established in the complete and diameter limit clearcut treatments one year after harvesting. The usual pioneer species for this area, shortleaf pine and yellow-poplar were not present in the first year regeneration mix. Virginia pine was present but was of minor importance.

Regeneration was largely from coppice. Although numbers, types, and height of sprouts varied considerably among species and size classes, most of the cut stems up to 5 inches dbh produced sprouts. Since most sprouting was from smaller stems, there was less sprouting on the diameter limit clearcut areas as most small stems were left standing. However, many of these leave-trees were damaged during the cutting operation and, although they comprise a significant portion of the new stand, they are of inferior quality.

White-tailed deer were observed utilizing the skid trails and haul roads as travel routes. The sprouts of several species were browsed along these zones; preferred species being sassafras, blackgum, sourwood, red maple, and dogwood. Eastern cottontail rabbits were observed only in uncut control plots.

First year results indicate that regeneration following clear-cutting on the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area will be largely from coppice, with little shift as to the serai position of the stand components. In general, the quality of the replacement timber stand will decrease as cutting intensity decreases. Preferential browsing pressure is apparent and may influence composition.

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