Frequency: Continuous
ISSN: 1546-9239 (Print)
ISSN: 1554-3641 (Online)
Research Article Open Access

# Forest Policy Impact Assessment in the Ouachita National Forest and the Valuation of Conserving Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers

Difei Zhang, Michael M. Huebschmann, Thomas B. Lynch and James M. Guldin

## Abstract

Problem statement: The Ouachita National Forest received approval in 1996 for an amendment to its Forest Plan that would allocate 10% of the Forest to long-rotation silviculture. The purpose of the new management area is to restore pre-European settlement forest conditions and recreate habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Approach: This study explored the effects of restoring an ecosystem, from changes in the growth patterns of individual trees to ecosystem valuation of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. It developed procedures for estimating the magnitude of economic impacts resulting from changes in timber production in the pine-bluestem management to project the value of conserving red-cockaded woodpeckers. Results: Over the entire simulation period, pine-bluestem management returns 75% of the undiscounted revenue generated by traditional management (660 versus 875 million dollars). For all 40,245 ha of the new management area managed for pine-bluestem, this cost amounts to $2.9 million per year. When combined with the$137 million decline in the present value of projected timber sale revenue from the area, the total cost rises to $4.2 million per year. Conclusion: The implied value for each pair of woodpeckers is either$10,550 per year for the desired 400 total pairs or \$16,880 per year for the 250 reproducing pairs. Judging from the changes resulting from the transition to pine-bluestem management, adopting the new scenario will not cause significant adverse regional economic consequences. The success of the pine-bluestem restoration requires the maintenance of a burning regime that prevents competing vegetation from occupying the middle canopy layer.

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 7 No. 10, 2010, 1345-1352

DOI:

Submitted On: 23 September 2010 Published On: 31 October 2010

How to Cite: Zhang, D., Huebschmann, M. M., Lynch, T. B. & Guldin, J. M. (2010). Forest Policy Impact Assessment in the Ouachita National Forest and the Valuation of Conserving Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 7(10), 1345-1352. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2010.1345.1352

• 2,238 Views