Forest Regeneration Manual

The Forest Regeneration Manual presents state-of-the-art information about current regeneration practices for southern pines in the United States. Over 1.2 billion seedlings of five major species -- loblolly, slash, longleaf, sand, and shortleaf -- are planted each year. In 22 chapters, the Manual details fundamental steps in establishing successful young pine plantations: regeneration planning, including economic and legal aspects; regeneration harvest methods; propagation by seed and vegetative techniques; bareroot and container seedling culturing in the nursery; measures of seedling quality; site potential; -- environment, associated vegetation, soils; matching species to sites; site preparation -- mechanical and chemical methods, fire, fertilization; seedling handling before planting; planting practices and measures of regeneration success; promoting early plantation growth and management of competing vegetation, insects, disease, and wildlife.

Case studies and experiences with natural regeneration from the region have shown that natural regeneration significantly reduces the cost of restoration in areas that meet certain conditions. Native species that are adapted to the prevailing conditions re-establish on their own with some assistance, achieving accelerated growth in accordance with natural succession, leading to the recovery of native ecosystems. Restoration strategies based on natural regeneration also provide low-cost opportunities for conserving biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and watershed protection. This manual describes procedures from almost 20 years of FAO experience with assisted natural regeneration (ANR) in the Philippines and more recently in Indonesia, Cambodia and Lao PDR. In each of these countries, the method was applied for different objectives and convincingly validated ANR’s cost effectiveness. There is an increasing recognition of the benefits and advantages of ANR in light of the ambitious global, regional and national forest restoration targets, and there are considerable opportunities to expand the application of ANR through various restoration related initiatives. It is hoped that this manual can serve as a field reference in guiding the application of ANR for forest restoration.

The simulation model PLANT-PC was developed to aid forest managers in Ontario with their forest renewal problems. The model treats the regeneration process as three separate but interdependent phases of stock production, stock storage, and plantation establishment. During each phase, growth and/or survival of seedlings are simulated according to empirical submodels reflecting the effects of various biological factors as well as management options. The model was calibrated for black spruce, white spruce, and jack pine plantations from the Nipigon, Geraldton, Hearst, Kapuskasing, Timmins, and Wawa districts of Ontario. Application of the model is demonstrated by presenting a detailed example. A simple procedure for calibrating the model to account for local or regional conditions is also provided.

Alberta adopted forest regeneration standards to ensure prompt reforestation following harvest; adequate stocking, survival and growth rates, and a level of performance that emulates natural yields found in Alberta's forests. This manual provides the regeneration standards and survey procedures that are to be used to determine levels of re-growth and performance of desirable tree species on harvested forest lands.--Includes text from document.