Master's Projects, Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

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Biomass Harvesting Effects on Soil Physical Properties in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina
Chandler, Josh (Virginia Tech, 2011-11-11)
Biomass harvesting offers opportunities to produce portions of US energy demands from renewable resources, yet there are concerns that biomass harvesting could deplete nutrient reserves, increase potential for soil erosion, or lead to problems associated with increased forest trafficking. On intensively managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations on relatively flat coastal plain terrain, nutrient demands may be met with fertilization and soil erosion is of lower concern. However, soil disturbance associated specifically with coastal plain biomass harvests for renewable energy production have not been widely documented. Soil disturbance classes and physical properties were examined on three intensities of biomass harvesting on a 52 ha loblolly pine plantation in the North Carolina coastal plain. Study objectives were to determine if biomass harvesting intensity and associated traffic were correlated with changes in soil physical properties or visual soil disturbance classifications. Harvesting intensities included in the designed operational study were: 1) roundwood removal only, 2) integrated harvest including roundwood removal and biomass production, and 3) chip only harvest where all trees were removed and chipped for biomass. Harvesting treatments were replicated 3 times each (9 experimental units) using a randomized complete block design. Soil properties were evaluated pre- and post-harvest to determine harvesting related impacts. Results indicate that most soil physical properties were not significantly altered due to harvest level with the exception of small deck areas. These data indicate that biomass harvesting did not result in visual or physical changes to soil properties as compared to traditional harvests and indicate that standard best management practices may be adequate to address biomass harvesting issues for similar sites.
Characterization of the Vegetation and Soil of the Forest Communities at Camp Brookside in Summers County, West Virginia
Mitchem, David O. (Virginia Tech, 2004-12-07)
Camp Brookside, a seasonal island, is located on the floodplain of the New River in Summers County, West Virginia. This island hosts several rare plant species and a rare plant community known as a riverside flat rock plant community (FRPC). The FRPC is characterized by flat resistant sandstone shelves above water that are generally associated with rapids. Flooding has historically maintained the FRPC by scouring any soil off of the bedrock and leaving sand deposits in cracks or depressions. However, since the Bluestone Dam was built in 1950, organic material accumulation and soil development has gone unabated. Measurements were taken of the overstory, lower canopy, regeneration layers, and soils found at Camp Brookside. Our overstory data indicated that there are five distinct plant communities on the island. The FRPC has an overstory of eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana), and white ash (Fraxinus americana). The FRPC has an average soil depth of 1.8 cm, a loamy sand soil texture, and a soil pH of 3.9. A xeric pine community dominated by Virginia pine and eastern redcedar was found along the riverside portion of the island. Historically, this community was part of the FRPC. The xeric pine community has an average soil depth of 17.6 cm, a loamy sand soil texture, and a soil pH of 4.6. Our results indicate that soil and organic material is accumulating in the FRPC, and that some type of disturbance will be needed to maintain this community.
Culture and Propagation of Japanese Maple
Phillips, Guy (Virginia Tech, 2003-12-12)
Japanese maples have maintained a steady presence in nurseries and across the suburban landscape of America for many years now. Their fineness of texture, relatively small stature, and colorful displays are attributes that have earned them the admiration of studied horticulturalists and casual observers alike. This document attempts to compile the published accounts of several decades of observations and experiments pertaining to the general culture and propagation of Japanese maples, most specifically, information pertaining to Acer palmatum. In addition to aesthetic beauty, several factors combine to make Japanese maple a valuable horticultural species. These factors are: seedling variability, wide-ranging environmental adaptability, moderate ease of asexual propagation, limited problems with pest and pathogens in both nursery and landscape settings, and consistent commercial value and appeal. Despite the popularity and overall viability of Japanese maple cultivation, information concerning the species, particularly research information, is somewhat lacking.
A description of floral diversity in the southern Appalachians with forest management considerations for conservation
Brown, Maryfrances McGrath (Virginia Tech, 1994-05-04)
Biological diversity is the variety of plant and animal life, habitats and ecosystems, and the biological processes and functions within them. It is this simple yet profoundly important concept in biology which in recent years has become an issue of great concern to the lay public and scientific community alike. The cause for this concern lies in the current rapid destruction and transformation of many ecosystems worldwide. From temperate and tropical rain forests to coral reefs, the loss of habitat due to the pressures of an expanding human population threatens the existence of numerous species of plants and animals. It is suspected that thousands of species of plants and animals are being lost before ever being described, let alone tested for their usefulness as medicines or crops (Wilson 1988). Over 25% of prescription drugs available today contain active compounds that are extracted directly from plants (Ledig 1988). In addition, the cross breeding of domesticated crop species with wild relatives has resulted in improved disease resistance in crops such as barley, rice, cassava, sugarcane, and com (Plotkin 1986). Thus, the loss of habitat and the possible extirpation or extinction of plant and animal species may mean the loss of potential life-saving drugs and crop-enhancing wild relatives.
Designing an Urban Forest Inventory System for a Small Municipality: A Case Study of Falls Church, Virginia
Walker, Catriona (Virginia Tech, 2015-05-16)
The City of Falls Church, Virginia is an independent city in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with a population of 13,600 within its two square mile jurisdiction. The City's residents are justifiably proud of their beautiful and extensive urban forest. Falls Church has been a Tree City USA for thirty-six years, longer than any other community in Virginia, and the protection of its mature trees and expansion of its tree canopy are key goals in the City's Comprehensive Plan. This report describes the development and testing of a tree inventory system for the City using the ESRI ArcGIS data mapping platform. The database design and the procedures for data collection are described and illustrated. Strengths and limitations of the ESRI software and hardware options for the purpose of collecting and displaying tree inventory data are considered, and recommendations are made for further development of the inventory system. It is hoped that this case study will be of use to other entities considering the creation of a complete or partial tree inventory.
Developing a Natural Resource Database for Geographic Information System
Hassouna, Khaled M. (Virginia Tech, 1997-03-13)
Geographic information systems ( GIS ) are an effective tool for land management. By studying the land formations and land cover of a site, much information about the tree and animal species inhabiting a site can be estimated. The managers of public or private lands may find the concept of a multi-layer analysis of their land useful in discriminating locations based on their many characteristics. I created a database of a small area with no previously specified objective. I produced a group of map layers emphasizing the methodology and the ability of making any number of overlays or combinations of layers. I estimated the time and cost involved in producing these layers. I produced layers of: elevation, slope, aspect, watershed-depression, watershed-flow direction, watershed-streams, and roads. I created a group of categorized data layers: elevation, slope, aspect, erosive slope, watershed-flow accumulation, buffered roads, and buffered streams. I made some combinations of different layers explaining the potential uses of such combination. I used the work of my graduate colleagues to illustrate the importance of such work when combined in natural resources management. Combinations were made of: forest cover, average temperature, solar radiation, and slope position.
The effect of an adhesive on pallet joint stiffness
Frackiewicz, Thomas Ian (Virginia Tech, 1983)
An evaluation of potential planning processes for national parks in Malaysia
Yusof, Ebil bin (Virginia Tech, 1990)
Fertilization and Woody Plant Nutrition in the Context of the Urban Forest
Watkins, James R. (Virginia Tech, 1998-10-05)
Fertilization of urban trees is often based on traditional forestry objectives. These objectives and resultant attributes may not be desired in urban trees. The majority of research and the ensuing recommendations regarding fertilizer amounts and formulations comes from agricultural models, pomology, and industrial forestry - very little from arboriculture. Lack of water and inadequate soil volumes are responsible for many of the problems that beset urban trees. More research is needed in water deficit mitigation, establishing nutrient sufficiency and deficiency levels in urban trees, the role of fertilization in disease remediation and increased pathogenesis, and the effects of long term fertilization on trees in the urban landscape.
Function, Design, and Establishment of Riparian Forest Buffers: A Review
Klapproth, Julia Caldwell (Virginia Tech, 1999-02-08)
Through the interaction of their soils, hydrology, and biotic communities, riparian forests protect and improve water quality, provide habitat for plants and animals, support aquatic communities, and provide many benefits to humans. Virginia, along with other states in the Chesapeake Bay region, has recognized the importance of riparian forests by implementing a plan to restore forested buffers along streams, rivers, and lakes. This project reviews selected literature on riparian forest buffers, including water quality functions, benefits to fish and wildlife, and human benefits. The review also discusses riparian buffer restoration and some of the costs and barriers associated with riparian forest buffer establishment. Information on financial and technical assistance programs available to Virginia landowners is included.
GIS Applications in Urban Tree Inventory
Otey, Jennifer K. (Virginia Tech, 2007-08-09)
This project evaluates and demonstrates some applications of a GIS-based urban tree inventory. This was done by (1) collecting and analyzing data for Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), and (2) collecting and evaluating data for the Virginia Tech campus tree inventory. The urban tree inventory at Tinker AFB was estimated using remote sensing techniques that included the use of the eCognition 3.0 software. Inventory data was collected using a handheld computer and transferred to a desktop for data backup and analysis. Data was evaluated for urban forest structure and composition. The data collected for Tinker AFB was additionally analyzed for potential runway obstacles. CITYgreen software was used to determine tree canopy coverage and i-Tree STRATUM was used to compare against CITYgreen. Both CITYgreen and i-Tree are very useful tools for urban foresters, the purpose of the inventory should direct which software is utilized. An urban tree inventory provides a baseline to work from, facilitates management decisions, and provides a basis for future evaluation.
Growing Trees in a Gravel Bed Stormwater Retention System as a Novel Approach to Stormwater Management in Urban Sites
Sprouls, Jason M. (2020-05-19)
Dense urban areas are typically covered by impervious surfaces used to construct roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks. Sealing over soils with impervious surfaces increases stormwater runoff volume and reduces water quality downstream. Green infrastructure technologies are a commonly used stormwater control measure that can capture stormwater runoff generated from impervious surfaces. The inclusion of woody and herbaceous plants in green infrastructure mitigates stormwater runoff through canopy interception, increased soil infiltration, and evapotranspiration. However, planting trees situated amongst impervious surfaces remains difficult because they suffer from slow growth rates and shortened lifespans due to the soil compaction necessary to create a stable pavement, which diminishes the water storage capacity of soils and hampers root system development. These green infrastructure technologies in ultra-urban areas also present extremely harsh growing environments for trees due to soil moisture extremes, inhospitable microclimates, and pollution contamination. The subject of this paper is a gravel bed stormwater retention system that was developed to address the combined needs of a stable hardscape, belowground stormwater storage, and tree root development to lead to large, long-lived trees that both intercept precipitation and transpire captured runoff. The design specifications of this system are intended to be low-cost, technically simple, and highly adaptable based on site configuration and intended stormwater capture. This paper describes a pilot project on the Virginia Tech campus that constructed the first multi-tree gravel bed stormwater retention system, which aims to evaluate the functionality and feasibility of the system. This pilot study will raise awareness of trees in green infrastructure systems and provide information about the cost-effectiveness and practicality of the gravel bed stormwater retention system. Also included in this paper is an investigation of the ecophysiological and morphological adaptations that tree species confer to adapt to the unique hydrologic regime and substrate found in green infrastructure systems. Through a rigorous review of literature, a species suitability model was populated by 75 tree species. The model stratified species into groups based on foliage type and mature size to provide a diverse palette of species to allow practitioners to configure the gravel bed stormwater retention system based on cultural conditions, aboveground space limitations, and site-specific environmental challenges.
Identifying Impediments to Completing an Urban Forest Canopy Assessment in Municipalities in the State of Virginia
West, William (Virginia Tech, 2010-05-12)
Tree canopy assessments help identify the extent and location of urban forest resources under management. Tree canopy assessments give a picture of what the urban forest resource looks like presently; and can be used to establish and track management goals for a municipality and quantify benefits being provided by the urban forest. Such an assessment can also help guide the most effective distribution of labor and resources. However, many municipalities in Virginia do not have canopy assessments and are unable to realize these benefits. To assess what impediments urban forestry professionals of small municipalities in Virginia are facing, we conducted a focus group meeting of experienced urban foresters via teleconference. Participants were asked about their perceptions and knowledge of tree canopy assessments. Participants had general knowledge of the benefits of an assessment, but generally lacked, or had varying degrees of knowledge of the methodologies for conducting an assessment. Participants expressed concerns on topics such as funding an assessment; communicating the value of an assessment to decision makers and citizens; and the use of volunteers in gathering information for a tree canopy assessment. Specific suggestions generated by the focus group to overcome perceived or real impediments were a website resource for urban forestry professionals co-sponsored by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Department of Forestry and coordinated support for the Tree Stewards Program at the state level to improve success using volunteers for urban forest assessment. In addition, participants agreed that a survey of urban forest decision makers from municipalities across the state would help Virginia Tech and the Virginia Department of Forestry better target outreach programs to meet municipal needs in urban forest canopy assessment.
Identifying Key Challenges and Opportunities in Urban and Community Forestry in California: Insights from California Practitioners
Christensen, Brittany (2023-12)
This study builds upon previous studies on the state of urban and community forestry in California and expands on a recent nationwide survey effort to assess the economic impacts of urban and community forestry on a regional basis, across multiple, interacting sectors. By conducting a similar assessment of issues, challenges, and opportunities, this study adds to a growing body of knowledge about urban and community forestry. Using a mixed methods sampling approach, we recruited a total of 189 survey participants from the following sectors: nonprofit organizations (n=37), private green businesses (n=106), and public municipal governments (n=46). Challenges related to management operations, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce diversity, and equitable access to urban forests were compared among sectors to find statistically significant differences in perceptions of challenges and to provide insights into the challenges needing the greatest focus and the opportunities for collaboration among the sectors. The greatest operational challenges across all sectors are the lack of monetary resources to conduct urban forestry activities and the lack of public awareness or cooperation. The nonprofit sector revealed heightened awareness of climate change impacts and a greater focus on improving workforce diversity and equitable access to urban forests for underserved communities.
Initial Performance of Trees in an Urban Stormwater Bioretention System
Apisa, Ethan A. (2022-04-28)
Stormwater runoff is an issue in urban areas as impervious surfaces increase. Various bioretention systems that incorporate trees have been developed but are expensive, technically complex, and require large amounts of space, which limits their widespread use as a stormwater solution. This study investigated a novel design for a bioretention system that is less complex and may hold promise as an inexpensive approach to capturing runoff and growing trees near impervious surfaces. The system comprises a large bed of gravel surrounding a trench of topsoil planted with trees. The gravel bed captures and retains stormwater from adjacent hardscapes. Roots extending outward from the topsoil into the gravel bed absorb and recycle captured water through transpiration. A full-scale field prototype of this system was constructed adjacent to a parking lot on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA in spring 2020. The system was planted with three London planetree (Platanus × acerifolia ‘Morton Circle’), which were compared to three control trees of the same species planted concurrently in nearby native control soil. The purpose of this study was to monitor stormwater capture by the bioretention system and evaluate tree growth and physiological function during the second growing season following planting. Because the topsoil in the gravel bed was of better quality than the native control soil, trees in the gravel bed exhibited greater water use efficiency and had larger and denser crowns during the study period. Under prevailing precipitation conditions, the gravel bed rarely captured runoff exceeding its volume capacity, and the residence time of water in the system rarely lasted more than 48 hours before draining via deep infiltration into the underlying subsoil.
An Investigation of Factors Leading to Establishing Downstream Timber Processing in Malaysia
Hashim, Norchahaya Jr. (Virginia Tech, 1998-08-04)
The Malaysian timber industry has made tremendous progress towards making this sector one of the country's important foreign exchange earners. From a major exporter of tropical logs, it shifted to become a reliable exporter of high quality sawn timber during the 1980s. Realizing the need to maintain long availability of its raw material supply and with the intention of achieving higher value from its timber resource, Malaysia has decided the direction and future of its timber sector. The first Industrial Master Plan (IMP) was launched in 1985 with the objective of making Malaysia a highly visible and reputable center for furniture, joinery, and molding. Therefore, this study is intended to assess factors leading towards promoting the use of timber in downstream processing furniture manufacturing. This study had four objectives. Firstly, to identify and describe factors that affect the export performance of furniture. Secondly, this study described trade policies, incentives, and government efforts that supported the development of the furniture industry in Malaysia. Thirdly, a regression model was used to quantify the relationships among these factors in order to predict the export of wooden furniture from Malaysia. Lastly, this study suggests measures that could be taken to enhance the position of the Malaysian furniture industry in the global market. In understanding the position of Malaysia's furniture market, this study began with a review of international furniture trade and policy development. Two of the world's major markets for furniture, the United States and Japan, were examined to understand their furniture industries, requirements, and market trends. In addition, brief profiles were presented of furniture and related industries and markets of three significant furniture suppliers from Asia: Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand. The structure of Malaysia's furniture industry was examined and reviewed, in order to have a better understanding of its size and export potential. The Malaysian furniture industry is comprised of small units of factories, particularly the factories located in the furniture villages and accounting for 70% of the numbers. Seventy five percent of these medium and large factories are locally owned and the remaining are either joint ventures or foreign owned. To help expedite the objective as specified under the IMP, the Malaysian government and its agencies have formulated several measures, with the purpose to provide an industrial and business environment conducive to the industry. In this study, important factors which influenced the development of this sector were examined. The supply of raw materials has been an important factor that could affect the establishment of the processing industry and its competitiveness. In addition to this, the current issue of Malaysian Ringgit depreciation has been taken into account. The Malaysian exchange rate to the U.S. Dollar was linked to the United States import price indexes to see their impact on the export performance of Malaysian furniture. The supply and price variables were found significant and elastic to the export of furniture from Malaysia. The export predictions were made for three-year periods. Due to the financial crisis that hit Asia last July, there are many uncertainties on these independent variables that could affect the accuracy of the export predictions. Nevertheless, the model developed should be useful and reliable once revised projections of these variables are made available.
Japanese Garden Inventory and Management Plan for Maymont Park - Richmond, VA
Jones, Christopher Egan (Virginia Tech, 2009-02-03)
A woody plant inventory was conducted at Maymont Park in Richmond, VA to assess species composition and plant condition of its Japanese garden. This garden has changed significantly over the years, thus requiring a plant inventory. A global positioning system (GPS) unit and data logger were used to locate plants and document their characteristics. Management needs, plant condition, geographic coordinates, accession dates, and trunk diameter were recorded for each of the 333 specimens inventoried in the garden. The projectâ s overall goal was to provide recommendations to help Maymont staff make sound arboricultural decisions. The project was also a pilot to develop a plant inventory protocol for the other 106 acres of the Park. The majority of inventoried trees had 0.5â 10 inch trunk diameter at breast height with a few trees measuring over 40 inches. These data revealed that the plant collection consists of mostly smaller, immature trees and that most will need a high level of care to maintain the gardenâ s longevity. The five most abundant species were bald cypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.; 18.6%); â Yoshinoâ Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don; 10.8%); Japanese maple (Acer palmatum Thunb.; 9.9%); loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.; 8.1%); and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.; 4.5%). The inventory revealed that mulching, pruning, and tree removal were the most common management needs. Although the garden needs attention in some areas, it is in good condition overall.
Landscape Tree Inventory and Management Plan for the United Company Corporate Campus, Bristol, Virginia
Worrell, William (Virginia Tech, 2010-04-27)
The United Company’s corporate headquarters resides on 65 acres in a residential area just east of downtown Bristol, Virginia. The main office complex on the south side of campus is accented by a mixed landscape of trees, shrubs, and lawns. In 2008, foresters with Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Tech were contracted to develop a landscape tree management plan for the corporate campus. A complete tree inventory was conducted in summer 2008 to assess campus tree composition and maintenance needs. The inventory provided the basis for developing the management plan, which describes the priorities, goals, and objectives that should guide landscape tree management on the United Company corporate campus over the next decade and beyond. The inventory enumerated 630 landscape trees consisting of 67 different species. Flowering dogwood, yellow-poplar, and eastern white pine were the three most abundant species, each accounting for about 15% of the total population. The campus landscape is dominated by mature and geriatric trees. Despite the “graying” of the tree population, it is in fair to good condition overall. Structural defects that may threaten tree stability were commonly observed in the inventoried trees. Fortunately, most of these defects were mild to moderate and do not pose a significant threat to the landscape. However, critical defects were observed in several trees and should be attended to immediately. An assortment of disorders that may threaten tree health were also observed in campus trees. Prevalent disorders included trunk wounds, soil compaction, buried root collars, and inadequate mulching. These disorders can threaten tree health and should be addressed through a systematic tree maintenance program. In this paper, general recommendations for tree planting, maintenance, and removal are provided based on the primary goal of attaining a safe, attractive, and sustainable campus forest. In addition, specific management recommendations are provided for 11 critical-priority trees, 8 notable trees, and 3 prevalent species groups. Finally, an appendix has been assembled at the end of this report to provide definitions on common tree care terms and guidance on common tree care practices.
McDonald Hollow Trail Network Visitor Use and Trail Impact Study: A First Look
Lindsay, Matthew (2022-08-23)
The recent construction of the McDonald Hollow Trail Network located in Blacksburg, Virginia presents an important opportunity to explore early stage soil degradation and visitor use patterns on a public multi-use trail. Through the creation of permanent transects along each trail and the implementation of a visitor use survey, initial usage and impact patterns can begin to be observed. This not only addresses a gap in the outdoor recreation literature in regard to early stage trail impacts, this report will also serve to provide the Town of Blacksburg and other stakeholders a robust tool and dataset to guide future maintenance and trail development on Brush Mountain. The following chapters will provide protocols for the implementation and data collection processes for visitor use and trail impact monitoring as well as an examination of data collected during this initial study period (Fall, 2021 to Summer, 2022). In doing so, the groundwork will be laid for the continual monitoring of visitor use and trail impacts at McDonald Hollow moving forward.
A Methodology for Inventorying Stored Carbon in An Urban Forest
Gann, Sara Beth (Virginia Tech, 2003-06-13)
Trees in urban areas store carbon directly through photosynthesis, but they also provide the added benefit of reducing carbon emissions produced by fossil-fuel burning power plants, by means of energy conservation from strategically-planted trees near buildings, as well as by area-wide reductions in the urban heat island effect. Quantifying the role of urban forests is an important prerequisite to managing the vegetation to optimize benefits, and also serves to assign value to the important ecosystem services provided by urban trees. Decisions by policy-makers regarding the management and use of urban trees requires accurate and precise information about the state of the resource. This paper creates a methodology for conducting a carbon inventory in an urban forest in the Washington, DC area, one that requires a minimum of data gathering. The methodology could serve as a tool for other similar high-density urban areas to measure carbon resources in urban forests and to serve as the basis for further research. Carbon trading systems may provide opportunities for forest owners to sell carbon credits to entities that produce CO2 in excess of national or international limits; quantifying urban forest carbon would be necessary as a baseline for future carbon offset projects.

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