FOREST PROGRAM
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Annual Review of ONRC Research

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ONRC Research
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1997
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2004

External Research
1995
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2004

External Research 2004

Title:
Population Ecology of the Marbled Murrelet on the Olympic Peninsula

Principal investigator(s); affiliations(s):
Dr. John Marzluff, University of Washington
Dr. Martin Raphael, USDA Forest Service

Award:
$36,036

Project description:
The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is listed as Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in Washington, Oregon, and California. Although inland surveys to document occupancy status of forest stands have been conducted for a decade, very little work has been done on murrelet demography or nest site description; only 11 murrelet nests are known from Washington. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is developing a Murrelet conservation plan as part of its Habitat Conservation Plan, and information is needed on characteristics of nest sites to support development of this plan. Our proposed project addresses a priority 1 research need for the implementation of the DNR HCP. This proposal details our methods for using radiotelemetry to locate active murrelet nests and conduct detailed research on the survival, nest success, flight behavior and genetic makeup of murrelets found in marine waters of Washington.

Project deliverable(s):
Project is open.

Title:
Influence of Riparian Harvesting on the Chemistry of Headwater Streams

Principal investigator(s); affiliations(s):
Dr. Daniel Vogt, University of Washington

Award:
$19,157

Project description:
The need for fundamental chemical and hydrological understanding of headwater streams is essential to meet management and ecological goals. This understanding is enhanced through intensive watershed quantification of stream volumetric discharge (Q) and nutrient budgeting. To meet these goals, V- notch weirs are being established within traditionally harvested (clear cut and un-buffered), buffered and control 1st order headwater streams at Capitol State Forest outside Olympia, Washington. This research focuses on both of the major areas of the ONRC RFP: 1) establishment of intensively monitored watersheds to better understand basic quantitative discharge (Q) and stream nutrient export (through water sampling and analysis), and 2) support the implementation of the DNR’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Monitored streams will provide nutrient export data used: first, to expand the knowledge of these aquatic systems (both chemically and hydrologically), and second, to calibrate a computer model used to predict the effect of harvest practices on watershed nutrient loading. Soil sampling, to assess changes in N mineralization and soil microbiological status, will clarify the link between upland soil and stream. Our proposed hypothesis is: Streams with fixed-width riparian buffers are significantly different in N status than traditionally harvested streams and that direct correlation between soil N status and stream chemistry will be evident. This research builds directly on existing and concurrent research concerning many aspects of these stream systems and will unify data, advance ecological ideas, and enhance future analysis while clarifying management objectives for headwater stream protection.

Project deliverable(s):
Project is open.

Title:
An Economic Assessment of DNR Timber Values on the Olympic Peninsula: Are We Achieving the Highest Returns Possible?

Principal investigator(s); affiliations(s):
Dr. John Perez-Garcia

Award:
$31,886

Project description:
I propose to analyze the projected timber harvest levels on the Olympic Peninsula from DNR lands and determine whether timber values can be increased. In particular, I want to investigate the potential to increase log exports from peninsula ports (Port Angeles, Grays Harbor, Port Townsend), where these logs might go, how much value they would add to trust land revenues and what impediments (legislative and economic) currently exists that prevent the realization of higher values from occurring. In addition, I want to determine what investments are needed to facilitate higher timber values. To complete the assessment I will use existing mill survey data for the Olympic Peninsula, existing economic data for markets in competition with timber suppliers and manufacturers on the Peninsula and gather additional data from interviews with stakeholders on the Peninsula on the potential future outlook. I will use these data to provide near-term and future potential to export raw materials from the peninsula and/or invest in modern facilities to attain the highest possible value and maintain a competitive sector into the future. I will identify those factors that affect timber revenues in today’s market of surplus wood fiber. I will analyze job market impacts (both port as well as sawmilling) and present potential new investment strategies in sawmilling and port facility enhancements that maintain the region’s competitiveness. I will also document how bids on state timber might change and the effect the change in the number of bids may have on revenues associated with state timber sales.

Project deliverable(s):
Project is open.

Title:
Templates for Forest Sustainability on the Olympic Experimental State Forest

Principal investigator(s); affiliations:
Mr. Bruce Lippke, University of Washington

Award:
$52,073

Project description:
Demonstrating that management alternatives on the Olympic Experimental State Forest (OESF) simultaneously provide adequate environmental protection and economic viability imposes a difficult burden with inherently high hurdles that must be met. We propose a rigorous statistical assessment process for simultaneously evaluating the habitat conditions and economic viability of management alternatives. The results can further be transformed to templates providing easy-to-use implementation guidelines for forest managers, regulatory agencies, and policy- makers resulting in a substantial savings in time and cost. It also provides the validation process for adaptively extending OESF findings to other areas and for educating the public on the advantages it provides to both the trust beneficiaries and environmental stewardship.

Project deliverable(s):
Project is open.

Title:
Effect of Marine Derived Nutrients on Insect Production in Salmon Spawning Streams.

Principal investigator(s); affiliations(s):
Dr. Robert Gara; University of Washington

Award:
$8,053

Project description:
A primary trophic interaction of anadromous salmonids appears to involve the release of marine-derived nutrients (MDN) from spawning adults and later from their spawned-out carcasses. Other research has found that many types of organisms inhabiting or visiting streams and riparian areas utilize MDN. This MDN fertilization, repeated with each spawning, benefits juvenile salmonids that may remain in streams for up to three years after hatching, depending on species. To discover how macroinvertebrates facilitate the transfer of MDN from adult to juvenile salmonids, this project will quantify the pathways of MDN to macroinvertebrates by monitoring the response of aquatic macroinvertebrate production to salmon carcass decomposition. These production estimates will provide a measure of the total energy available to higher consumers, including juvenile salmon. In addition, the project will evaluate the relative importance of the different pathways of MDN to aquatic macroinvertebrates by monitoring changes in production in each of the major trophic categories of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Finally, the project will determine if juvenile salmon benefit from MDN at the study sites, as has been shown elsewhere.

Project deliverable(s):