The productivity of forest trees has traditionally been measured by the increase in their trunk wood over time. The result is a near universal trend of decreasing productivity that begins somewhat before the midpoint of a tree’s expected lifespan and becomes stronger as the tree enters an old-growth life-stage. This trend is used by forest […]
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Maine’s forests have reached a stage of unprecedented importance to the state’s residents, but are also experiencing natural (climate change, introduced pests) and anthropogenic (harvesting, air pollution) stresses with no historical precedent. These forests cannot simply be exploited economically for forest products without serious reductions in their ability to sustain all the values society has […]
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Recent advances in computer technology, forest data, and remote sensing have enhanced the ability to make both short- and long-term projections of future forest conditions. These computer-simulation tools allow both researchers and natural resource professionals to evaluate alternative forest-management strategies, test the sensitivity of the system to various factors, and conduct financial assessments. However, these […]
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