The Cost of Achieving Old-Growth Forest Structure

Abstract

Dwindling area of old-growth forest is of concern in many regions of the world. Forest reserves provide one solution. But highly productive timberlands are typically excluded from reserves due to cost. In this study, old-growth forest is defined by structural attributes believed to be important for old-growth-dependent wildlife species. Management practices are allowed that accelerate the development of these attributes while permitting timber harvest. A minimum area of old-growth forest is protected at any time, but the spatial location of old-growth can shift over time. We demonstrate our approach using a case study on private land in western Oregon.