Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 8.2.
The benefits of shifting from even-aged to uneven-aged forest conditions in-
clude larger and more vigorous trees, abundant understory vegetation, and proportionally
greater redwood (
Sequoia sempervirens
) composition.
For monitoring purposes, the Arcata Community Forest hosts an array of perma-
nent continuous forest inventory plots that were installed in 1985. The 0.2-acre (0.08-
ha) plots are remeasured every five years. Measured ecosystem components include
downed logs, snags, seedlings, tree diameter height and decay class, soil condition,
live and dead carbon pools, lichens, fungi, bryophytes, wildlife use, and understory
vascular plants. Plots in the old-growth reference stands are contrasted with the data
in the community forest as part of a monitoring strategy.
Engaging the Community
Volunteer participation in on-the-ground restoration work is a key component of Ar-
cata's community-based forestry. Volunteer efforts include planting trees and native
plants, constructing trails, and removing invasive plants, such as English ivy (
Hedera
helix
), cotoneaster (
Cotoneaster pannosus
), Scotch broom (
Cytissus scoparius
), and
pampas grass (
Cortaderia jubata
) (fig. 8.3). The city draws on a strong and diverse vol-
unteer pool that includes individuals, civic service groups, businesses, university
clubs, nonprofit groups, and elementary and high school students. The community
forest program sponsors an annual fall lecture series that includes presentations about
forest ecology and restoration, and allows the public to interact with researchers from
