@article{ghezehei_ewald_hazel_zalesny_nichols_2021, title={Productivity and Profitability of Poplars on Fertile and Marginal Sandy Soils under Different Density and Fertilization Treatments}, volume={12}, ISSN={["1999-4907"]}, url={https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/7/869}, DOI={10.3390/f12070869}, abstractNote={We evaluated the productivity and profitability of four highly productive poplars including Populus deltoides × P. deltoides (DD ‘140’ and ‘356’), P. deltoides × P. maximowiczii (DM ‘230’), and P. trichocarpa × P. deltoides (TD ‘185’) under two densities (2500 and 5000 trees ha−1), and three fertilization treatments (0, 113, 225 kg nitrogen ha−1) at three sandy coastal sites varying in soil quality. Green stem biomass (GSB) was estimated from the sixth-year stem diameter. Leaf-rust (Melampsora castagne) and beetle damage (by Chrysomela scripta Fabricius), the leaf area index (LAI) and foliar nitrogen, were measured in year two. At all sites, DD and DM had higher survival (>93%) than TD (62–83%). DD produced greater GSB (92.5–219.1 Mg ha−1) than DM (54–60.2 Mg ha−1) and TD (16.5–48.9 Mg ha−1), and this was greater under the higher density (85.9–148.6 Mg ha−1 vs. 55.9–124.9 Mg ha−1). Fertilization significantly increased GSB on fertile soil but not marginal soils; a higher rate did not significantly enhance GSB. Leaf rust was higher for fertile soil (82%) than marginal soils (20–22%), and TD ‘185’ (51% vs. others 34%). C. scripta damage was higher for the higher density (+42%) than lower density, and TD ‘185’ (50% vs. others >38%). LAI was higher on fertile soil (1.85 m2 m−2) than marginal soils (1.35–1.64 m2 m−2), and under the lower density (1.67 m2 m−2 vs. 1.56 m2 m−2). The high GSB producer DD ‘356’ had the lowest LAI (1.39 m2 m−2 vs. 1.80 m2 m−2). Foliar nitrogen varied among genomic groups (DD ‘140’ 1.95%; TD ‘185’ 1.80%). Our plots were unprofitable at a 27 USD Mg−1 delivered price; the biggest profitability barriers were the high costs of higher density establishment and weed control. The best-case treatment combinations of DD (‘140’, ‘356’) would be cost-effective if the price increased by 50% (USD 37.54 Mg−1) or rotations were 12 years (fertile-soil) and longer (marginal soils). The requirement for cost-effectiveness of poplars includes stringent and site-specific weed control which are more important than fertilizer applications.}, number={7}, journal={FORESTS}, author={Ghezehei, Solomon B. and Ewald, Alexander L. and Hazel, Dennis W. and Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. and Nichols, Elizabeth Guthrie}, year={2021}, month={Jul} } @article{boggs_moorman_hazel_greenberg_sorger_sorenson_2020, title={Ground-Dwelling Invertebrate Abundance Positively Related to Volume of Logging Residues in the Southern Appalachians, USA}, volume={11}, ISSN={1999-4907}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f11111149}, DOI={10.3390/f11111149}, abstractNote={Invertebrates, especially those dependent on woody debris for a portion of their life cycle, may be greatly impacted by the amount of downed wood retained following timber harvests. To document relationships between invertebrates and logging residues, we sampled invertebrates with pitfall traps placed near or far from woody debris in 10 recently (2013–2015) harvested sites in western North Carolina with varying levels of woody debris retention. We measured the groundcover and microclimate at each trap and estimated site-level woody debris volume. We modeled predictors (e.g., site-level woody debris volume, percent woody debris cover at the trap site, site type) of captures of spiders (Araneae), harvestmen (Opiliones), centipedes/millipedes (Chilopoda/Diplopoda), ground beetles (Carabidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae), other beetles, ants (Formicidae), grasshoppers (Acrididae/Tetrigidae), crickets (Gryllidae), and cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae). In addition, we modeled ant occurrence at a finer taxonomic resolution, including red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) and 13 other genera/species. Forest type, whether hardwood or white pine (Pinus strobus L.) overstory preharvest, was a predictor of invertebrate response for 21 of 24 taxonomic analyses. Invertebrate captures or the occurrence probability of ants increased with increasing site-level woody debris volume for 13 of the 24 taxa examined and increased with increasing coarse woody debris (CWD; diameter ≥ 10 cm) cover at the trap level for seven of 24 taxa examined. Our results indicate that woody debris in harvested sites is important for the conservation of a majority of the taxa we studied, which is likely because of the unique microclimate offered near/under woody debris. Stand-scale factors typically were more important predictors of invertebrate response than trap-level cover of woody debris. We recommend implementing sustainability strategies (e.g., Biomass Harvesting Guidelines) to retain woody debris scattered across harvested sites to aid in the conservation of invertebrates.}, number={11}, journal={Forests}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Boggs, April D. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Hazel, Dennis W. and Greenberg, Cathryn H. and Sorger, D. Magdalena and Sorenson, Clyde E.}, year={2020}, month={Oct}, pages={1149} } @article{ghezehei_nichols_maier_hazel_2019, title={Adaptability of Populus to Physiography and Growing Conditions in the Southeastern USA}, volume={10}, ISSN={1999-4907}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f10020118}, DOI={10.3390/f10020118}, abstractNote={Populus species have a high productivity potential as short-rotation woody crops, provided that site-suitable varieties are planted. The Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge Mountains make up a significant part of the eastern and southeastern USA, and an insight into poplar productivity and adaptability will be valuable for the successful implementation of large-scale poplar stands in these regions. The objectives of this study were to examine the green wood biomass (hereafter biomass), biomass allocation, and wood properties of poplars in relation to growing conditions, physiography, and topography. The biomass of 4-year-old poplars was estimated using an equation derived through destructive sampling. Biomass-based clonal rankings were compared across the various site conditions (fertility, irrigation, land marginality, soil preparation, and topography) and the three physiographic provinces. Although not all clonal differences in biomass were significant, growing conditions, physiography, and soil preparation affected the clonal rankings and the significance of the clonal differences. Biomass changes due to physiography and land conditions were more structured at the genomic-group level. A higher-altitude physiography led to greater biomass increases in Populus trichocarpa × Populus deltoids (TD) clones than in P. deltoids × P. deltoids (DD) clones and vice versa. Favorable soil quality or management generally led to greater biomass of DD clones than of TD and P. deltoids × Populus maximowiczii (DM) clones. Weather-related variables were not clearly correlated with biomass, while land aspect was a significant influence on the biomass of genomic groups and clones. The site significantly affected wood density, moisture content, and carbon and nitrogen concentrations, while the clonal effects on wood composition and the clonal and site effects on biomass allocation were insignificant. Although clones showing greater biomass responses to growing conditions generally belonged to the same genomic group, clone-level selection could produce greater biomass gains than selection at the genomic-group level.}, number={2}, journal={Forests}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Ghezehei, Solomon and Nichols, Elizabeth and Maier, Christopher and Hazel, Dennis}, year={2019}, month={Feb}, pages={118} } @article{zalesny_headlee_gopalakrishnan_bauer_hall_hazel_isebrands_licht_negri_nichols_et al._2019, title={Ecosystem services of poplar at long‐term phytoremediation sites in the Midwest and Southeast, United States}, volume={8}, ISSN={2041-8396 2041-840X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wene.349}, DOI={10.1002/wene.349}, abstractNote={AbstractShort rotation woody crops (SRWCs) including Populus species and their hybrids (i.e., poplars) are ideal for incorporating biomass production with phytotechnologies such as phytoremediation. To integrate these applications, 15 poplar plantings from nine long‐term phytoremediation installations were sampled from 2012 to 2013 in the Midwest (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin) and Southeast (Alabama, Florida, North Carolina) United States. In this review, we report summary results of this sampling and how performance at each site compared with comparable phytoremediation systems in the literature. We review significant genotypic differences from each planting within the context of provisioning (i.e., biomass production) and regulating (i.e., carbon sequestration) ecosystem services and how they relate to the need for a cleaner environment during times of accelerated ecological degradation. Overall, the contaminated poplar sites provided these ecosystem services comparable to noncontaminated poplar sites used for bioenergy and biofuels feedstock production. For example, phytoremediation trees at the Midwestern sites had biomass values ranging from 4.4 to 15.5 Mg ha−1 y−1, which was ~20% less relative to bioenergy trees (p = .0938). Results were similar for diameter and carbon, with some genotype × environment interactions resulting in phytoremediation trees exhibiting substantially greater growth and productivity (i.e., +131% at one site). As illustrated in the current review, phytoremediation success can be increased with the identification and deployment of genotypes tailored to grow well and tolerate a broad diversity of contaminants (generalists) (i.e., ‘DN34’, ‘NM6’, ‘7300501’) versus those that significantly outperform their counterparts under unique site conditions (specialists) (i.e., ‘220‐5’, ‘51‐5’, ‘S13C20’).This article is categorized under: Concentrating Solar Power > Climate and Environment Bioenergy > Economics and Policy Bioenergy > Science and Materials }, number={6}, journal={Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Zalesny, Ronald S. and Headlee, William L. and Gopalakrishnan, Gayathri and Bauer, Edmund O. and Hall, Richard B. and Hazel, Dennis W. and Isebrands, Jud G. and Licht, Louis A. and Negri, M. Cristina and Nichols, Elizabeth Guthrie and et al.}, year={2019}, month={Jun} } @article{boggs_moorman_hazel_greenberg_pacifici_2020, title={Relationships between white-footed mice and logging residue: Informing the sustainability of potential wood bioenergy harvests}, volume={457}, ISSN={0378-1127}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117706}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117706}, abstractNote={We examined local and site-scale relationships between white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and logging residue after timber harvests to assess potential effects of expanding bioenergy markets in the southern Appalachian region of the United States. We sampled mice in 10 recent (2013–2015) clearcut or shelterwood harvests dominated either by white pine or hardwoods prior to harvest. We captured mice May–August, 2016 and 2017 using 10 grids of 60 Sherman traps spaced 15 m apart and set twice for five consecutive nights in each year. We categorized traps as either near (≤5 m) or far (>5 m) from coarse woody debris (CWD; woody debris ≥10 cm in diameter). We estimated site-level woody debris volumes using modified prism sweep sampling and determined vegetation, woody debris, and ground cover composition at each trap location. White-footed mouse occupancy increased with greater trap-level CWD cover in all stands, and greater site-level woody debris volume in white pine stands. Mouse abundance increased with greater site-level woody debris volume, and abundance was greater at white pine sites than hardwood sites. These results demonstrate that residual logging debris is important to white-footed mice, both at the local- and site-scale. Reductions in residual logging debris following harvests, including via removal of low value stems for wood bioenergy, likely will result in decreased white-footed mouse occupancy and abundance. We recommend developing proactive strategies to retain scattered logging residues following even-aged timber harvests, especially in cases where bioenergy harvests occur in the southern Appalachian region.}, journal={Forest Ecology and Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Boggs, April D. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Hazel, Dennis W. and Greenberg, Cathryn H. and Pacifici, Krishna}, year={2020}, month={Feb}, pages={117706} } @article{maier_burley_cook_ghezehei_hazel_nichols_2019, title={Tree Water Use, Water Use Efficiency, and Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Relation to Growth Potential in Populus deltoides and Hybrids under Field Conditions}, volume={10}, ISSN={1999-4907}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f10110993}, DOI={10.3390/f10110993}, abstractNote={We explored the relationship between tree growth, water use, and related hydraulic traits in Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.and hybrid clones, to examine potential trade-offs between growth and water use efficiency. Nine genotypes, six P. deltoides and three hybrid clones, that represented genotypes with high (Group H), intermediate (Group I), and low (Group L) growth performance were selected for study, based on year-two standing stem biomass in a replicated field trial. In year four, tree growth, transpiration (Et), canopy stomatal conductance (Gs), whole-tree hydraulic conductance (Gp), and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) were measured. Tree sap flux was measured continuously using thermal dissipation probes. We hypothesized that Group H genotypes would have increased growth efficiency (GE), increased water use efficiency of production (WUEp, woody biomass growth/Et), lower Δ13C, and greater Gp than slower growing genotypes. Tree GE increased with relative growth rate (RGR), and mean GE in Group H was significantly greater than L, but not I. Tree WUEp ranged between 1.7 and 3.9 kg biomass m3 H2O−1, which increased with RGR. At similar levels of Et, WUEp was significantly greater in Group H (2.45 ± 0.20 kg m−3), compared to I (2.03 ± 0.18 kg m−3) or L (1.72 ± 0.23 kg m−3). Leaf and wood Δ13C scaled positively with stem biomass growth but was not correlated with WUEp. However, at a similar biomass increment, clones in Group H and I had significantly lower leaf Δ13C than Group L. Similarly, Group H clones had a significantly lower wood Δ13C than Group L, supporting our hypothesis of increased WUE in larger trees. Tree physiological and hydraulic traits partially explain differences in WUEp and Δ13C, and suggest that clone selection and management activities that increase tree biomass production will likely increase tree and stand WUE. However, more research is needed to discern the underlying hydraulic mechanisms responsible for the higher WUE exhibited by large trees and distinct clones.}, number={11}, journal={Forests}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Maier and Burley and Cook and Ghezehei and Hazel and Nichols}, year={2019}, month={Nov}, pages={993} } @article{fritts_moorman_grodsky_hazel_homyack_farrell_castleberry_evans_greene_2017, title={Rodent response to harvesting woody biomass for bioenergy production}, volume={81}, ISSN={["1937-2817"]}, DOI={10.1002/jwmg.21301}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTHarvest of low value trees and logging residues for bioenergy reduces downed wood post‐harvest with potential indirect negative effects on ground‐dwelling wildlife such as rodents. We assessed the influence of woody biomass harvests on rodent abundances using an operational‐scale, randomized complete block experimental design study in North Carolina (4 blocks) and Georgia, USA (4 blocks). Each block contained 6 treatments randomly applied to a clearcut harvest, that varied by volume of woody biomass retained, and that represented existing woody biomass harvest recommendations. We livetrapped rodents in 2011–2013, calculated the minimum number known alive for each captured species, and used the value as an index of abundance. We compared abundance of the 3 most commonly captured species (deer mice [Peromyscus spp.], house mouse [Mus musculus], and hispid cotton rat [Sigmodon hispidus]) among treatments with generalized linear mixed effects models. We assessed relationships among species’ abundance and measurements of downed woody debris and vegetation in each treatment unit using linear regression. Although abundance varied among treatments in some cases, we did not detect consistent relationships between woody biomass retention treatments and abundance. Volume of downed woody debris in the treatment unit negatively influenced house mice but had varying influences on deer mice across years. Downed woody debris groundcover negatively affected deer mice in North Carolina in 2012. Litter groundcover negatively influenced deer mice and hispid cotton rats, whereas grass groundcover positively influenced the hispid cotton rat. The lack of consistent relationships between rodent abundance and volume of retained woody debris suggests that the rodent species captured in this study were not affected by current efficiencies of operational woody biomass harvests in southeastern United States loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations. However, focal species were habitat generalists and less common species may have greater sensitivity to biomass harvests. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.}, number={7}, journal={JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT}, author={Fritts, Sarah R. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Grodsky, Steven M. and Hazel, Dennis W. and Homyack, Jessica A. and Farrell, Christopher B. and Castleberry, Steven B. and Evans, Emily H. and Greene, Daniel U.}, year={2017}, month={Sep}, pages={1170–1178} } @article{shifflett_culbreth_hazel_daniels_nichols_2016, title={Coupling aquaculture with forest plantations for food, energy, and water resiliency}, volume={571}, ISSN={0048-9697}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.161}, DOI={10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.161}, abstractNote={Freshwater aquaculture and forest bioenergy markets are expanding globally in areas concurrently experiencing human population growth, urbanization and water shortages. Coupling these agroecosystems can improve food, energy, and water resiliency by enhancing ecosystem services through fertilization, water-reuse, carbon storage, and bioenergy via biomass production. This study evaluated how a model aquaculture-managed forest plantation could (1) provision fish and woody biomass; (2) regulate carbon, groundwater infiltration, and groundwater quality; and (3) support nutrient cycling over a two-year period. A 0.5-hectare hardwood bioenergy plantation was established with 12 Populus spp. genotypes adjacent to a 0.6-hectare freshwater aquaculture operation (hybrid striped bass, Morone chrysops×M. saxatilis); pond waters were land-applied on the plantation for two years. The aquaculture operation produced ~3.5Mg of fish and trees yielded 5.9Mgha(-1)yr(-1) of oven-dry biomass, sequestered 2.9Mg carbon (C) ha(-1)yr(-1) and stored 0.028Mg nitrogen (N) ha(-1)yr(-1). Biomass productivity, carbon storage, and nitrogen storage differed significantly among the evaluated Populus genotypes. Land application of pond water increased groundwater infiltration by 60% relative to the previous year. The integrated system regulated chlorophyll a, total organic carbon, and nitrogen in groundwater at concentrations below regulatory limits. This study demonstrated that coupled agroecosystems could deliver productive yields of food and bioenergy as well as support water re-use while meeting water quality regulations. More research is needed to evaluated long-term sustainability and economic viability of this coupled system and other land management practices that seek to improve food, energy, and water resiliency.}, journal={Science of The Total Environment}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Shifflett, Shawn Dayson and Culbreth, Allison and Hazel, Dennis and Daniels, Harry and Nichols, Elizabeth Guthrie}, year={2016}, month={Nov}, pages={1262–1270} } @article{fritts_moorman_grodsky_hazel_homyack_farrell_castleberry_2016, title={Do biomass harvesting guidelines influence herpetofauna following harvests of logging residues for renewable energy?}, volume={26}, ISSN={["1939-5582"]}, DOI={10.1890/14-2078}, abstractNote={AbstractForests are a major supplier of renewable energy; however, gleaning logging residues for use as woody biomass feedstock could negatively alter habitat for species dependent on downed wood. Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs) recommend retaining a portion of woody biomass on the forest floor following harvest. Despite BHGs being developed to help ensure ecological sustainability, their contribution to biodiversity has not been evaluated experimentally at operational scales. We compared herpetofauanal evenness, diversity, and richness and abundance of Anaxyrus terrestris and Gastrophryne carolinensis among six treatments that varied in volume and spatial arrangement of woody biomass retained after clearcutting loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations in North Carolina, USA (n = 4), 2011–2014 and Georgia (n = 4), USA 2011–2013. Treatments were: (1) biomass harvest with no BHGs, (2) 15% retention with biomass clustered, (3) 15% retention with biomass dispersed, (4) 30% retention with biomass clustered, (5) 30% retention with biomass dispersed, and (6) no biomass harvest. We captured individuals with drift fence arrays and compared evenness, diversity, and richness metrics among treatments with repeated‐measure, linear mixed‐effects models. We determined predictors of A. terrestris and G. carolinensis abundances using a priori candidate N‐mixture models with woody biomass volume, vegetation structure, and groundcover composition as covariates. We had 206 captures of 25 reptile species and 8710 captures of 17 amphibian species during 53 690 trap nights. Herpetofauna diversity, evenness, and richness were similar among treatments. A. terrestris abundance was negatively related to volume of retained woody biomass in treatment units in North Carolina in 2013. G. carolinensis abundance was positively related with volume of retained woody debris in treatment units in Georgia in 2012. Other relationships between A. terrestris and G. carolinensis abundances and habitat metrics were weak or absent. The lack of consistent community or population responses suggests the addition of a woody biomass harvest to a clearcut in pine plantations does not impact herpetofauna use of Coastal Plain loblolly plantations in the southeastern United States. We recommend additional research to examine relationships between woody biomass harvesting and rarer species or amphibians with high desiccation risk, particularly in other regions and harvesting systems.}, number={3}, journal={ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS}, author={Fritts, Sarah and Moorman, Christopher and Grodsky, Steven and Hazel, Dennis and Homyack, Jessica and Farrell, Chris and Castleberry, Steven}, year={2016}, month={Apr}, pages={926–939} } @article{shifflett_hazel_guthrie nichols_2016, title={Sub-Soiling and Genotype Selection Improves Populus Productivity Grown on a North Carolina Sandy Soil}, volume={7}, ISSN={1999-4907}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f7040074}, DOI={10.3390/f7040074}, abstractNote={This study reports the stem volume of 10 Populus genotypes in a randomized split-plot design with different tillage treatments (disking versus sub-soiling) after two years of growth. Height, diameter at breast height (DBH), stem aboveground volume index, survival, Melampsora rust resistance, leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content, and foliar nitrogen concentration (Foliar N) were measured to identify how tillage treatments might alter poplar growth. Stem volume index and LAI were positively correlated and differed significantly among tillage treatments, taxa, and genotypes. Melampsora rust resistance was also positively correlated with volume index, but significant differences were only detected among taxa and genotypes. Foliar N and chlorophyll did not correlate to stem volume for genotypes or tillage treatments. Overall, sub-soiling yielded 37% more estimated volume compared to disking. Within the sub-soiled treatments, four genotypes (140, 176, 185, and 356) had high survival (>80%) and produced substantial stem volume (>32 dm3·tree−1). These findings show that tillage practices do impact poplar stem volumes after two years and that sub-soiling improves productivity for poplar short rotation woody crops on loamy fine-sandy soils.}, number={12}, journal={Forests}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Shifflett, Shawn and Hazel, Dennis and Guthrie Nichols, Elizabeth}, year={2016}, month={Mar}, pages={74} } @article{grodsky_moorman_fritts_hazel_homyack_castleberry_wigley_2016, title={Winter bird use of harvest residues in clearcuts and the implications of forest bioenergy harvest in the southeastern United States}, volume={379}, ISSN={["1872-7042"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2016.07.045}, abstractNote={Increased market viability of harvest residues gleaned for forest bioenergy feedstocks may intensify downed wood removal, particularly in intensively managed forests of the Southeast. Downed wood provides food and cover for many wildlife species, including birds, yet we are aware of no study that has examined winter bird response to experimentally manipulated, operational-scale woody biomass harvests. Further, little research has investigated avian use of downed wood following timber harvests. As such, our objectives were to: (1) evaluate effects of varying intensities of woody biomass harvest on the winter bird community and (2) document spatial associations between winter bird species and available habitat structure, including downed wood, in regenerating stands. In January and February of 2012–2014, we surveyed birds using a modified version of spot-mapping in six woody biomass removal treatments in North Carolina, USA (n = 4 regenerating stands). Treatments included clearcut harvest followed by: (1) traditional woody biomass harvest with no biomass harvesting guidelines; (2) 15% retention with harvest residues dispersed; (3) 15% retention with harvest residues clustered; (4) 30% retention with harvest residues dispersed; (5) 30% retention with harvest residues clustered; and (6) no woody biomass harvest (i.e., reference). We tested for treatment-level effects on avian relative abundance (overall and individual species), species diversity and richness, and counts of winter birds detected near (∼1 m from pile), in, or on branches of downed wood piles and calculated proportional avian habitat use of harvest residues and vegetation in regenerating stands. In 69 visits over three winters, we observed 3352 birds in treatments. In 2013, counts of birds detected in piles were greater in the no biomass harvest and 30% clustered treatments than the no biomass harvesting guidelines treatment. In 2012 and 2013 combined, mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) had greater relative abundance in the no biomass harvest treatment compared to the 15% dispersed treatment and was more often detected within 1 m of downed wood piles than in vegetation. We counted more winter birds in and near adjacent forest edge than in treatment interiors each year. Overall, we detected minimal treatment effects on winter bird relative abundance and no effects on species diversity and richness. Relative abundance of winter birds increased over time as vegetative cover established in regenerating stands. Our results suggest woody biomass harvests in intensively managed pine forests had no effect on the winter bird community, but winter birds used harvest residues. Further, vegetation structure and composition, rather than availability of harvest residues, primarily influenced winter bird use of regenerating stands.}, journal={FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT}, author={Grodsky, Steven M. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Fritts, Sarah R. and Hazel, Dennis W. and Homyack, Jessica A. and Castleberry, Steven B. and Wigley, T. Bently}, year={2016}, month={Nov}, pages={91–101} } @article{ghezehei_nichols_hazel_2016, title={Early Clonal Survival and Growth of Poplars Grown on North Carolina Piedmont and Mountain Marginal Lands}, volume={9}, ISSN={1939-1234 1939-1242}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12155-015-9707-x}, DOI={10.1007/s12155-015-9707-x}, number={2}, journal={BioEnergy Research}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Ghezehei, Solomon B. and Nichols, Elizabeth Guthrie and Hazel, Dennis W.}, year={2016}, month={Jun}, pages={548–558} } @article{fritts_grodsky_hazel_homyack_castleberry_moorman_2015, title={Quantifying multi-scale habitat use of woody biomass by southern toads}, volume={346}, ISSN={0378-1127}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.FORECO.2015.03.004}, DOI={10.1016/J.FORECO.2015.03.004}, abstractNote={Woody biomass extraction for use as a feedstock for renewable energy may remove woody debris that provides suitable micro-climates for amphibians. We examined habitat use of the southern toad (Anaxyrus terrestris) as an indicator of relationships between amphibians and woody biomass in pine plantations of the southeastern United States using a controlled enclosure experiment and a field-based radio-telemetry study. In the enclosure experiment, we recorded toad selection among four 16-m2 treatments that varied in area of ground surface covered by coarse woody debris (CWD) and spatial allocation of CWD. Treatments were: (1) ≈100% of the ground area covered by CWD in one large pile (volume of CWD = 1.10 m3, 100CWD); (2) ≈50% of the ground area covered with CWD in one large pile (volume of CWD = 0.60 m3, 50PILE); (3) ≈50% of the ground area covered with CWD dispersed throughout the treatment (volume of CWD = 0.25 m3, 50DISP); and (4) no CWD (0CWD). In the radio-telemetry study, we identified southern toad daytime refuge locations and compared habitat characteristics to paired random locations. From May to August 2013, toads (n = 47) did not use enclosure treatments randomly during nocturnal hours (P < 0.01), and ranking of treatments from most to least selected was 0CWD, 100CWD, 50DISP, 50PILE. When no rain events occurred, toads spent a greater proportion of time during nocturnal hours in 100CWD as temperature increased (P = 0.03). Toads used 100CWD 75% of the time for diurnal refuge. Radio-marked toads (n = 37) avoided grass (P < 0.01) and bare ground (P < 0.01) as diurnal refuge sites. Although radio-marked toads used CWD, other cover sources also were used as refuge sites and toads did not select CWD cover (P = 0.11) over other diurnal refuge types. Our results suggest woody biomass in recently harvested pine plantations is not an essential habitat characteristic during nocturnal hours and therefore may not be important for foraging. Yet, woody biomass may provide diurnal refuge for southern toads, and likely other amphibians, when desiccation risk is high (i.e., temperatures are high and rain does not occur). Additionally, southern toads may use woody biomass for diurnal refuge when other cover sources are not available, but can exhibit behavioral plasticity when cover sources such as vegetation are accessible.}, journal={Forest Ecology and Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Fritts, S.R. and Grodsky, S.M. and Hazel, D.W. and Homyack, J.A. and Castleberry, S.B. and Moorman, C.E.}, year={2015}, month={Jun}, pages={81–88} } @article{ghezehei_shifflett_hazel_nichols_2015, title={SRWC bioenergy productivity and economic feasibility on marginal lands}, volume={160}, ISSN={["1095-8630"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.05.025}, abstractNote={Evolving bioenergy markets necessitate consideration of marginal lands for woody biomass production worldwide particularly the southeastern U.S., a prominent wood pellet exporter to Europe. Growing short rotation woody crops (SRWCs) on marginal lands minimizes concerns about using croplands for bioenergy production and reinforces sustainability of wood supply to existing and growing global biomass markets. We estimated mean annual aboveground green biomass increments (MAIs) and assessed economic feasibility of various operationally established (0.5 ha–109 ha) SRWC stands on lands used to mitigate environmental liabilities of municipal wastewater, livestock wastewater and sludge, and subsurface contamination by petroleum and pesticides. MAIs (Mg ha−1 yr−1) had no consistent relationship with stand density or age. Non-irrigated Populus, Plantanus occidentalis L. and Pinus taeda L. stands produced 2.4–12.4 Mg ha−1 yr−1. Older, irrigated Taxodium distchum L., Fraxinus pennsylvanica L., and coppiced P. occidentalis stands had higher MAIs (10.6–21.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1) than irrigated Liquidambar styraciflua L. and non-coppiced, irrigated P. occidentalis (8–18 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Natural hardwood MAIs at 20–60 years were less than hardwood and P. taeda productivities at 5–20 years. Unlike weed control, irrigation and coppicing improved managed hardwood productivity. Rotation length affected economic outcomes although the returns were poor due to high establishment and maintenance costs, low productivities and low current stumpage values, which are expected to quickly change with development of robust global markets.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ghezehei, Solomon B. and Shifflett, Shawn D. and Hazel, Dennis W. and Nichols, Elizabeth Guthrie}, year={2015}, month={Sep}, pages={57–66} } @article{diaz_jayaratne_bardon_hazel_2014, title={A framework for integrating and managing expectations of multiple stakeholder groups in a collaborative partnership}, volume={52}, number={3}, journal={Journal of Extension}, author={Diaz, J. and Jayaratne, K.S.U. and Bardon, R. E. and Hazel, D.}, year={2014} } @article{fritts_moorman_hazel_jackson_2014, title={Biomass Harvesting Guidelines affect downed woody debris retention}, volume={70}, ISSN={["1873-2909"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.08.010}, abstractNote={Our objective was to determine if a retention area-based Biomass Harvesting Guideline (BHG) strategy maintained desired volumes of downed woody debris (DWD) following woody biomass harvests. We implemented six randomly-assigned treatments in four clearcuts in loblolly pine plantations in the Coastal Plain physiographic region of North Carolina during 2010–2011: 1) woody biomass harvest with no BHGs (NOBHG); 2) 15% retention with woody biomass dispersed (15DISP); 3) 15% retention with woody debris clustered (15CLUS); 4) 30% retention with woody biomass dispersed (30DISP); 5) 30% retention with woody biomass clustered (30CLUS); and 6) no woody biomass harvest (i.e., clearcut only; NOBIOHARV). Prior to harvesting, we flagged 15% or 30% of the treatment area to serve as woody biomass retention sources for the four BHG treatments, and all woody biomass from the flagged area were retained and distributed across that entire treatment area. We examined effects of treatments on: 1) fraction estimated volume of pre-harvest standing volume (total and woody biomass) retained as residual DWD; and 2) fraction retained DWD in treatments 2–5 relative to retained DWD in the NOBHGS and NOBIOHARV treatments. Adding a woody biomass harvest reduced volume of residual DWD by 81% in NOBHG compared to NOBIOHARV. Estimates based on the second metric were most similar to target retentions with retention percentages at 18.8% in 15CLUS, 14.1% in 15DISP, 39.0% in 30CLUS, and 38.0% in 30DISP. Treatments resulted in retention of DWD fractions approximate to those prescribed, suggesting BHGs can be implemented successfully in an operational setting.}, journal={BIOMASS & BIOENERGY}, author={Fritts, S. R. and Moorman, C. E. and Hazel, D. W. and Jackson, B. D.}, year={2014}, month={Nov}, pages={382–391} } @article{fritts_moorman_grodsky_hazel_homyack_farrell_castleberry_2015, title={Shrew response to variable woody debris retention: Implications for sustainable forest bioenergy}, volume={336}, ISSN={0378-1127}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.FORECO.2014.10.009}, DOI={10.1016/J.FORECO.2014.10.009}, abstractNote={Shrews are integral components of forest food webs and may rely on downed woody debris to provide microhabitats that satisfy high moisture and metabolic requirements. However, woody biomass harvests glean downed woody debris to use as a bioenergy feedstock. Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs) provide guidance on the amount and distribution of downed woody debris retained after harvest to ensure ecological sustainability of woody biomass harvesting and limit detrimental effects on wildlife. However, the success of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines at reaching sustainability goals, including conservation of wildlife habitat, has not been tested in an operational setting. Thus, we compared shrew captures among six woody biomass harvesting treatments in pine plantations in North Carolina, USA from April to August 2011–2014 (n = 4) and Georgia, USA from April to August 2011–2013 (n = 4). Treatments included: (1) woody biomass harvest with no BHGs; (2) 15% retention with woody biomass dispersed; (3) 15% retention with woody biomass clustered; (4) 30% retention with woody biomass dispersed; (5) 30% retention with woody biomass clustered; and (6) no woody biomass harvested. We sampled shrews with drift fence arrays and compared relative abundance of shrews among treatments using analysis of variance. Additionally, we used general linear regression models to evaluate the influence of downed woody debris volume and vegetation structure on shrew capture success at each drift fence for species with >100 captures/state/year. In 53,690 trap nights, we had 1,712 shrew captures representing three species, Cryptotis parva, Blarina carolinensis, and Sorex longirostris. We did not detect consistent differences in shrew relative abundance among woody biomass harvest treatments, but relative abundance of all species increased over time as vegetation became established. In North Carolina, total shrew capture success was negatively related to volume of downed woody debris within 50 m of the drift fence array (P = 0.05) in 2013 and positively related to bare groundcover in 2013 (P = 0.02) and 2014 (P < 0.01). In Georgia, total shrew capture success was negatively related to herbaceous groundcover (P < 0.01) and leaf litter groundcover (P = 0.02) and positively related to woody vegetation groundcover (P < 0.01) and vertical vegetation structure (P = 0.03) in 2013. Our results suggest that shrews in our study area were associated more with vegetation characteristics than downed woody debris and that woody biomass harvests may have little influence on shrew abundances in the southeastern United States Coastal Plain.}, journal={Forest Ecology and Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Fritts, S.R. and Moorman, C.E. and Grodsky, S.M. and Hazel, D.W. and Homyack, J.A. and Farrell, C.B. and Castleberry, S.B.}, year={2015}, month={Jan}, pages={35–43} } @book{roise_catts_hazel_a. hobbs a._hopkins_2013, title={Balancing biomass harvesting and drying tactics with delivered payment practice}, journal={Technical Report- Not held in TRLN member libraries}, institution={Greenville, S.C.: US Endowment for Forestry and Community}, author={Roise, J. P. and Catts, G. and Hazel, D. and A. Hobbs A. and Hopkins, C.}, year={2013} } @article{shifflett_hazel_frederick_nichols_2013, title={Species Trials of Short Rotation Woody Crops on Two Wastewater Application Sites in North Carolina, USA}, volume={7}, ISSN={1939-1234 1939-1242}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12155-013-9351-2}, DOI={10.1007/s12155-013-9351-2}, number={1}, journal={BioEnergy Research}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Shifflett, Shawn Dayson and Hazel, Dennis W and Frederick, Douglas J and Nichols, Elizabeth Guthrie}, year={2013}, month={Jul}, pages={157–173} } @article{shaw_hazel_bardon_jayaratne_2012, title={Landowners' knowledge, attitudes, and aspirations towards woody biomass markets in North Carolina}, volume={50}, number={4}, journal={Journal of Extension}, author={Shaw, J. and Hazel, D. and Bardon, R. and Jayaratne, K.S.U.}, year={2012} } @inbook{hamilton_bardon_hazel_2010, title={Developing a forest management plan}, ISBN={9781581738230}, booktitle={Managing forest on private lands in Alabama and the Southeast}, publisher={Sweetwater Press/Alabama Forestry Foundation}, author={Hamilton, Rickey A. and Bardon, Robert E. and Hazel, Dennis W.}, editor={Foundation, Alabama ForestryEditor}, year={2010} } @article{hazel_franklin_thomas_2008, title={Best management practices for reducing sediment loss from tobacco fields}, volume={63}, DOI={10.2489/jswc.63.3.91a}, abstractNote={Storm runoff from agricultural fields remains a significant source of pollutants to surface water. Use of best management practices in recent years has reduced these off-site impacts, especially for sediments. We evaluated a combination of best management practices on two agricultural Piedmont watersheds in North Carolina to estimate the combined reductions that can be achieved for tobacco cultivation. We evaluated the effectiveness of three best management practices for flue-cured tobacco production—reduced-till versus conventional tillage, grassed field-side filter zones, and forested filter zones—to determine the total reduction in suspended solids from storm runoff. Use of reduced tillage alone reduced total suspended solids (mostly sediment) leaving tobacco fields by 82%. The grassed filter zones at field edge functioned very well in retaining solids in early summer but were overloaded with sediment by late summer after summer thunderstorms and reduced grass growth due to high summer temperatures of cool-season grasses. However, the down-slope forested filter zones were able to back up the grassed filter zones when they overloaded and exported sediment to the forested zones. In combination, grassed and forested filters retained 68% to 69% of suspended solids. One forested filter zone had recently been cutover following hurricane damage. Dense vegetation in this}, number={3}, journal={Journal of Soil & Water Conservation}, author={Hazel, D. W. and Franklin, E. C. and Thomas, K. T.}, year={2008}, pages={91A} } @article{hazel_bardon_2008, title={Evaluating wood energy users in North Carolina and the potential for using logging chips to expand wood fuel use}, volume={58}, number={5}, journal={Forest Products Journal}, author={Hazel, D. W. and Bardon, R. E.}, year={2008}, pages={34–39} } @article{hazel_franklin_thomas_jennings_2008, title={Integrated practices for reducing sediment loss from Piedmont tobacco fields}, volume={63}, ISSN={["0022-4561"]}, DOI={10.2489/jswc.63.3.143}, abstractNote={We evaluated the effectiveness of three best management practices for flue-cured tobacco production—reduced tillage, grassed field-side filter zones, and forested filter zones—to determine the total reduction in suspended solids from storm water runoff. Use of reduced tillage in comparison with conventional tillage decreased total suspended solids leaving tobacco fields by 82%. Grassed field-side filter zones functioned very well in retaining solids in early summer but were overloaded by late summer. Forested filter zones were able to back up the grassed filter zones when they overloaded and exported total suspended solids to the forested filter zones. In combination, grassed filter zones and forested filter zones retained 68% to 69% of total suspended solids, respectively. Dense vegetation in the cutover forested filter zone more than doubled its capacity to detain solids, compared to the same forested filter zone when it was covered by mature mixed pine-hardwood. Use of these best management practices in series can significantly reduce sediment loss from tobacco; however, use of reduced-till may reduce tobacco yield and quality.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION}, author={Hazel, D. W. and Franklin, E. C. and Thomas, K. T. and Jennings, G. D.}, year={2008}, pages={143–152} } @article{bardon_hazel_miller_2007, title={Preferred information delivery methods of North Carolina forest landowners}, volume={45}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Extension}, author={Bardon, R. E. and Hazel, D. and Miller, K.}, year={2007} } @inproceedings{bardon_hazel_miller_2006, title={Preferred methods for delivering education information to forest landowners}, booktitle={A Southern Region Conference on Technology Transfer and Extension}, author={Bardon, R. E. and Hazel, D. and Miller, K.}, year={2006}, pages={149–155} } @article{frampton_owen_hazel_braham_li_2004, title={The 2003 Fraser fir freshness survey}, volume={31}, number={3}, journal={Limbs & Needles}, author={Frampton, J. and Owen, J. and Hazel, D. and Braham, A. M. and Li, J.}, year={2004}, pages={16–21} }