Excerpt from Nitrogen Enrichment of Two Forest Ecosystems by Red Alder In June 1964, 15 1a-milacre litter traps were placed in each stand. Traps were located in five groups of three each around randomly selected, previously numbered trees on each plot. Dis tance and direction of the traps from the trees were also determined by random selection. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Seven case studies of 11 ecosystems were used to examine the effects of nitrogen-fixing alders in Douglas-fir plantations. The first case study quantified nitrogen (N) fixation and aboveground net primary production in a young Sitka alder [Alnus sinuata (Regel) Rydb.] ecosystem. At 5 yr of age, the N fixation (C22H2 reduction) rate of 35 kg ha−1 yr−1 was near the middle of the reported range for this shrubby species. The second case study compared N fixation rates of Sitka alder and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) on the same sites. These species exhibited similar nodule activities and had similar nodule:leaf biomass ratios of 7-8%. A mixture of Sitka alder and Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] was estimated to have a current N fixation rate of 20 kg ha−1 yr−1 based on acetylene reduction; N accretion measurements indicated an average N fixation rate of 30 kg ha−1 yr−1 for 23 yr. A mixture of red alder and Douglas-fir on the same site had a current N fixation rate of 130 kg ha−1 yr−1 based on acetylene reduction, with an N accretion rate of 65 kg ha−1 yr−1 for 23 yr. The third case study evaluated the effects of Sitka alder on Douglas-fir growth and nutrition, and on ecosystem production and litterfall. Current Douglas-fir stem growth was 40% greater with Sitka alder, and aboveground ecosystem net primary production was increased 70% with the alder. Litterfall nutrient content was 3 to 7 times greater under the mixed canopy. The fourth and fifth case studies looked at 23 yr-old mixtures of red alder and Douglas-fir in comparison with pure Douglas-fir, on an infertile site and on a fertile site. Red alder had little effect on Douglas-fir size or growth rate on the infertile site, but ecosystem net primary production was tripled. Conversely, net primary production was not increased by red alder on the fertile site, and Douglas-fir size and growth were reduced. The final two case studies evaluated: (1) the conclusions reached in the previous case studies for applicability to red alder/Douglas-fir mixtures in general, and (2) trends in production with stand development up to age 50. These case studies were consistent with the general conclusions of site fertility interactions with red alder/Douglas-fir mixtures. With further stand development, red alder continued to enhance ecosystem production and Douglas-fir growth on infertile sites, with opposite effects on fertile sites. Sitka alder demonstrated a high potential usefulness for interplanting with Douglas-fir, and red alder greatly boosted ecosystem production on infertile sites. Both species merit further development as tools for forest management on N deficient sites.

In March 23-25, 2005, an international symposium on red alder was held at the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle, WA. The symposium was entitled S2Red alder: A State of KnowledgeS3 and brought together regional experts to critically examine the economic, ecological and social values of red alder. The primary goal of the symposium was to discuss new advances in the understanding of red alder biology and silviculture, changing market and nonmarket values, and the current regulatory climate for management of alder. This proceedings includes 14 papers based on oral presentations given at the symposium. These papers highlight some of the key findings from the history, ecology, biology, silviculture and economics sessions presented at the red alder symposium.

Excerpt from The Economics of Converting Red Alder to Douglas-Fir A premise of this study is that the forest manager sees red alder as a problem. Compared with Douglas-fir, red alder is a Johnny - come-lately that many foresters feel is unworthy of serious consideration. Others consider the species to be a real economic windfall. In any case, we are here interested in developing analytical approaches that will permit managers to make rational decisions regarding the retention or replacement of red alder stands. Conversion of a young red alder stand to Douglas-fir requires a relatively large capital outlay that may be wholly or partially avoided by a few years' wait for the stand to reach merchantable size. The length of this waiting period de pends on the productivity of the site. The financial returns depend on the direct costs of conversion, management costs, the anticipated harvesting regime, fu ture prices, and the firm's Opportunity cost of capital. Thus, the two simple alternatives of retaining red alder or converting to Douglas-fir lead to numerous investment management possibilities. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.