Factors influencing integrated forest management on private industrial forest land

Abstract

This paper examines the nature and extent of integrated forest management (IFM) on private industrial forest land in the United States and identifies factors facilitating and constraining adoption of IFM. Through a questionnaire survey, 97 timber companies provided information on their forest management practices, non-timber land uses and attitudes towards IFM. Companies varied in their adoption of IFM practices, but most protected non-timber values to some extent, frequently modifying cutting practices particularly near water. Over half the companies had specific wildlife management programs and a quarter provided recreation facilities or land exclusively for recreation. Factors examined did not explain a large proportion of the variation in adoption of IFM practices. Size of company landholding and state IFM policies had the strongest influence on IFM. Size of the company (sales) and state land tenure patterns appeared to alter perceptions of companies about the benefits and costs of IFM but had little direct influence on IFM.