1. Management Principals in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Ann Russell (Student ID )
American Public University
EVSP413 - Environmental and Ecosystems Management
D002 Spring 14
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

2. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Figure 1
Figure 2
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

3. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
National Forest is owned and managed
by the US Forest Service through
the Department of Agriculture
Figure 3
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

4. Management Philosophy
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is managed for multiple uses such as: Recreation Wildlife and habitat preservation Campgrounds over 1 million acres of remote forest Picnic areas 23 designated wilderness areas Boat launches where motorized vehicles are hiking trails prohibited As well as timber harvesting
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

5. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Timber harvesting in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Timber harvesting is an important aspect of forest management. It allows for a healthy mixed age diverse ecosystem that can support a wide variety of plants and animals. The most common timber harvesting techniques in the George Washington National Forest are shelterwood harvesting and thinning(USDA Forest Services).
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

6. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Shelterwood harvesting in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
Shelterwood harvesting- 70% of the tree stand is removed in the initial harvest, a second cut which occurs between 3-15 years later removes the remaining mature trees (Woodland Stewardship).
Figure 4
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

7. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Forest stand thinning in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
Forest stand thinning- removal of competitive trees which allows more sunlight to penetrate the forest floor (Woodland Stewardship).
Figure 5
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

8. Products of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Nearly 700,000 acres are managed for the production of timber and wood products (USDA).
Nearly 90,000 acres are designated wilderness areas with limited human activity (USDA).
Figure 6
Figure 7
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

9. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Management issues in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Development
Wildlife management
Wind energy development
Oil and gas leasing
Timber harvesting
Overall forest health
Watershed soil
Water quality
Threatened and endangered species
Non-native species
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

10. Wind Energy Development
Forest Service and National Renewable Energy Laboratory identified nearly 36,000 acres within the forest for wind energy development.
Pros:
*Close urban proximity would benefit from a green energy source
Cons:
*habitat fragmentation
*effects on flying wildlife
* aesthetics
(USDA)
Figure 8
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

11. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Oil and Gas Leasing
There are many concerns regarding federal oils and gas land leasing in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Currently, approximately 12,000 acres are under lease for gas and oil development. The primary source of gas and oil in the area is hydrofracturing.
(USDA)
Figure 9
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

12. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Overall Forest Health
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is an old growth forest with a high percentage of the forest community ranging in age from years old (USDA). The age of the forest makes it more vulnerable to native and non-native pests and diseases. Additionally, same age forests do not support the traditional biodiversity found in a mixed age forest. Forest managers have been working for decades to rejuvenate the area through tree harvesting and prescribed burning.
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

13. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Forest pests, diseases and invasive species in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Some of the most important factors for forest managers to keep in mind is the presence of pests, diseases and invasive species.
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

14. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Forest pests, diseases and invasive species in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Forest Pests- an insect that has a negative effect on the forest or ecosystem.
Southern Pine Beetle- A native bark beetle that attacks the middle and upper part of pine trees. The beetle bores through the bark and cambium layer of the tree which makes the tree more susceptible to fungi infestation and tree mortality due to girdling (University of Florida).
Damaged Bark from infestation
Damaged wood from infestation
Southern Pine Beetle
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

15. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Forest pests, diseases and invasive species in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Forest Diseases- disease which has a negative effect on the forest or ecosystem.
American Chestnut Blight- Since introduction in the early 1900s’, this disease has greatly affected the canopy layer of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. The blight is a fungus which is spread from tree to tree by wind, rain, insects and animals. The fungus enters through small cracks in the bark and multiplies rapidly once the tree is invaded resulting in a rapid decline in the
number of Chestnut trees that are capable of reaching maturity.
(Virginia Tech.).
Figure 13
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

16. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
Forest pests, diseases and invasive species in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Invasive Species-a non-native organism or plant whose introduction poses a major threat to the ecosystem.
Gypsy Moth- A moth originating from Europe and Asia which feeds on the foliage of hundreds of species of plant. Repeated annual feeding by Gypsy Moths on specific trees may result in tree mortality (US Forest Service).
Male and female Gypsy Moth Caterpillars feeding
Figure 14
Figure 15
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

17. Fire in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Fire can be both a friend and foe to forest managers. Prescribed burns are often recommended to promote the health of a forest and prevent wildfires which can be difficult to contain.
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

18. Fire in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
A controlled burn is the use of fire, by trained professionals under specific weather conditions, to stimulate new growth, maintain plants and animals who are dependent on young forests and reduces the risk of wildfires through forest floor fuel reduction.
Note the fire road behind the technician and wind direction.
Figure 17
Figure 16
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

19. Fire in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Two years ago, approximately 6,000 acres were subject to prescribed burn in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Animals such as deer, bear, squirrels and rabbit benefit from the rejuvenation brought to the forest region after a fire. Trees such as oak and pine thrive in forested areas after fire and without fires; they would give way to more shade tolerant species such as maple (USDA).
Figure 18
Figure 19
Figure 20
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

20. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest as a mixed use facility
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is a mixed use facility. The forest’s close proximity to urban areas such as Washington DC make the forest a recreational destination. Forest managers are responsible for creation a hospitable recreational destination as well as maintaining a functional and productive forest. VS
Figure 21
Figure 22
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

21. The Future of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
Like many other forests in North America, forest managers are seeking to improve the quality of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest through restoration projects. Forest restoration projects are vital to the survival of endangered species as well as overall forest and wetland quality (Randolph, 2004).
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

22. Lower Cowpasture Restoration Project
A current restoration project in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is the proposed Lower Cowpasture Restoration Project which
Spans over 120,000 acres
10 year plan
Focus on aquatic passage
Watershed improvement
Wildlife habitat improvements
Non-invasive species management
Timber management and transportation
(Mountain Radio, 2013)
Figure 23
Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

23. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

24. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

25. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

26. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

27. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14

28. Ann Russell EVSP 413, Spring 14