A case study assessing opportunity costs and ecological benefits of streamside management zones and logging systems for eastern hardwood forests [report]

Chris B. LeDoux, Ethel Wilkerson
2006 unpublished
Forest landowners, managers, loggers, land-use planners, and other decision and policymakers need to understand the opportunity costs and ecological benefits associated with different widths of streamside management zones (SMZs). In this paper, a simulation model was used to assess the opportunity costs of SMZ retention for four different logging systems, two mature hardwood stands, and five levels of streamside zone protection. Results from this assessment suggest that protection costs range
more » ... om $252 to $1,659/ha depending on the SMZ width, the logging technology used to harvest the timber, and the species composition of the tract. A literature review was used to score the ability of different SMZ widths to protect riparian function. We quantified the economic costs and environmental benefits of SMZs. The results showed that to fully protect against post-harvest changes in riparian function, 45-m SMZs are needed. This protection will cost landowners between $30.54 and $67.02/ha/ year depending on the stand type and logging technology. . 1995. Stream ecology: structure and function of running waters. 1st ed. New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers. 400 p. Beschta, R.L.; Bilby, R.E.; Brown, G.W.; Holtby, L.B.; Hofstra, T.D. 1987. Stream temperature and aquatic habitat: fi sheries and forestry interactions. In: Salo, E.O.; Cundy, T.W., eds. Streamside management: forestry and fi shery interactions. Seattle, WA: University of Washington: 191-232. Bisson, P.A.; Bilby, R.E.; Bryant, M.D.; Dolloff, C.A.; Grette, G.B.; House, R.A.; Murphy, M.L.; Koski, K. V.; Sedell, J.R. 1987. Large woody debris in forested streams in the Pacifi c Northwest: past, present, and 13 future . In: Salo, E.O.; Cundy, T.W., eds. Streamside management: forestry and fi shery interactions. Seattle, WA: University of Washington: 143-190. Blinn, CR.; Alden, A.M.; Ellefson, P.V. 2001. Timber harvester perceptions of costs and benefi ts from applying water quality BMPs in north-central USA. International Journal of Forest Engineering. 12(1): 39-51. Blinn, Charles R.; Kilgore, Michael A. 2001. Riparian management practices: a summary of state guidelines. Journal of Forestry. 99(8): 11-17. Blinn, Charles R.; Kilgore, Michael A. 2004. Riparian management practices in the Eastern US: a summary of state timber harvesting guidelines. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution: Focus. 4(1): 187-201. Brown, George W.; Krygier, Jim T. 1967. Changing water temperatures in small mountain streams. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 22(6): 242-244.
doi:10.2737/nrs-rp-1 fatcat:tq7jvp3ouffv3hdijggyf73mva