Date of Award
Fall 2024
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Natural Resources
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Rebecca Rowe
Second Advisor
John Gunn
Third Advisor
Mark Ducey
Abstract
In managed forests, harvesting practices are one of the main factors that determine forest structure, composition, and the provision of ecosystem services. We resurveyed a 238,000-ha portion of the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest in northern Maine after 30 years of changes in ownership and harvesting practices. We found significant changes in forest structure and composition across a suite of forest types within the study region. Notably, there was a shift from spruce (Picea rubens, P. glauca, and P. mariana) to balsam fir (Abies balsamea) in the overstory of softwood stands and an increase in American beech (Fagus grandifolia) in the understory of hardwood stands, which is consistent with findings of other studies in the region. Much of the region is composed of species ranked “Poor” in their capability to cope with climate change. Landscape carbon storage declined by 23%, largely due to a loss of mature forest. While the overall ratio between economically degraded to undegraded forest did not change, we found a 40% decrease in area of the most economically valuable stands. These findings highlight how management practices may determine the continued ability of the forest to provide ecosystem services.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Kelsi J., "30 Years of Change in the Forest of Northern Maine" (2024). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1907.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1907