Document Type

Honors Thesis

Publication Date

5-2010

Abstract

The intent of this project was to use the management planning process to develop and evaluate three alternative management scenarios for the Dwight B. Demeritt Forest in Orono and Old Town, Maine, to determine which scenario best meets the landowner objectives, and to identify and provide recommendations to remediate any concerns.

Software including theLandscape Management System (LMS), Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Excel were used to develop, analyze, and evaluate a no harvest, a more intensive, and a moderate scenario. A score sheet was created to aid in the comparison of each scenario and to help determine which scenario best meets the landowner objectives.

None of the scenarios met all criteria for each objective, and there were benefits and disadvantages to each scenario. The more intensive scenario offered the best alternative to meet the landowner objectives, but it was recommended that the intensive scenario be altered slightly in order to better meet the objectives. Overstory removals should be modified to more vigorously remove the midstory and the amount of clearcut harvests should be increased to create a higher percentage of size class B stands. Furthermore, the substantial area of the forest dominated by large trees should be reduced to lower susceptibility to wind damage, the amount of fir throughout the forest should be decreased to reduce susceptibility to spruce budworm damage, and white pine regeneration and growth should be promoted to maintain the valuable white pine resource. Implementation of these changes will improve the results of the intensive scenario and better meet the landowner objectives.

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