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.

Available for download on Friday, January 23, 2026

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