FallRiverLong-termSiteProductivityStudyStudyobjectives,descriptionoftreatments,andexperimentaldesign.docVIP

Fall River Long-term Site Productivity Study: Study Objectives, Description of Treatments, and Experimental Design By: Thomas A. Terry, Western Forestry Research Robert B. Harrison, University of Washington, Forest Soils Department Constance A. Harrington, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station PURPOSE: The purpose of this handout is to outline the objectives of the Fall River long-term site productivity study, and describe the treatments being investigated and the experimental design. STUDY OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to: 1) add to the strategic database that can be used to develop soil management guidelines for intensively managed Douglas-fir sites in the Pacific Northwest; and 2) understand how a range of site resource allocation treatments affect soil processes, the microenvironment, and tree growth. The specific tasks to be completed as part of this investigation include: Develop nutrient budgets for various levels of harvest utilization and organic matter removals. Evaluate the effects of increased harvest utilization and organic matter reductions on soil processes and Douglas-fir growth over a 40-year rotation. Determine the impact of soil disturbance/compaction on stand productivity and the need for and effectiveness of soil tillage in maintaining or enhancing site productivity. Evaluate the need for fertilization to mitigate organic matter removal impacts and determine its effects on nutrient supply and tree growth. Assess the effects of intensive vegetation control and fertilization on vegetative cover, species composition, nutrient allocation to the crop, and stand development and growth. Evaluate initial differences in microclimate and seedling water uptake associated with microsites typical of various organic matter removal and vegetation control treatments. TEST LOCATION AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The test is located in the Twin Harbors-South operating area of Weyerhaeuser Company in Pacific County, Washi