Abstract Estimation of the amount carbon stored in forests is a key challenge for understanding global cycle, one which remote sensing expected to help address. However, estimation storage moderate high biomass difficult conventional optical and radar sensors. Lidar ( li ght d etection r anging) instruments measure vertical structure thus hold great promise remotely quantity spatial organization forest biomass. In this study, we compare relationships between lidar‐measured canopy coincident...

Placing an upper bound to carbon (C) storage in forest ecosystems helps constrain predictions on the amount of C that management strategies could sequester and degree which natural anthropogenic disturbances change storage. The potential, is difficult approximate field because it requires studying old-growth forests, few remain. In this paper, we put (or limit) Pacific Northwest (PNW) United States using data from are near steady-state conditions. Specifically, goals study were: (1) bounds...

R ecent flooding in the Pacific Northwest vividly illustrates complexity of watershed and ecosystem responses to floods, especially steep forest landscapes. Flooding involves a sequence interactions that begins with climatic drivers. These drivers, generally rain snowmelt, interact landscape conditions, such as vegetation pattern topography, determine capability deliver water, sediment, organic material downstream areas (Figure 1). Land-use practices can affect through influences managed...

Habitat distribution models are increasingly used to predict the potential distributions of invasive species and inform monitoring. However, these assume that in equilibrium with environment, which is clearly not true for most species. Although this assumption frequently acknowledged, solutions have been adequately addressed. There several methods improving habitat models. Models require only presence data may be more effective species, but has rarely tested. In addition, combining modeling...

Although it is generally accepted that the rate of accumulation biomass declines as forests age, little known about relative contributions to this decline changes in net primary production (NPP) and tree mortality. We used 10–15 years observations permanent plots three small watersheds near H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon, examine these issues. The are similar elevation potential productivity support young (29 at last measurement), mature (∼100 years) old (∼400 forest dominated by...

Radar and optical remote sensing data are used in a unified algorithm to estimate forest variables. The study site is the H. J. Andrews experimental Oregon, which has significant topography several mature old-growth conifer stands with biomass values sometimes exceeding 1000 tons/ha. Polarimetric multifrequency Airborne Synthetic Aperture (AIRSAR) backscatter, interferometric C-band Topographic (TOPSAR) coherence, multispectral Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) digital numbers regression analysis...

Ecological departure, or how much landscapes have changed from a natural range of variation (NRV), has become key metric in forest planning and restoration efforts. In this study we define need as the specific change structural stage abundance necessary to move into NRV. While most projects forested ecosystems Pacific Northwest, USA (Oregon Washington) embraced paradigm, our understanding what treatments apply where, when, at magnitude is evolving continues be refined. We build on body...

Green tree retention, a practice based on ecosystem science, has been integrated into forest management as working hypothesis, requiring research and monitoring to quantify its effects. We undertook retrospective study of natural, two-aged stands the Willamette National Forest provide preliminary estimates effects green retention structure yield. Fourteen in western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) zone (mostly dominated by Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) were...

Removal of two dams > 30 m from the Elwha River, on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, can provide an unprecedented opportunity to study geomorphic and biologic consequences this activity. Resulting information inform management decisions regarding resources, as well future dam removal projects. Research monitoring priorities for each river section (above, between, below dams) nearshore depend location-specific effects dams, planned active restoration efforts, conceptions ecosystem...

Ephemeral dams caused by landslides have been observed around the world, yet little is known about effects of their failure on landforms and vegetation. In 1967, a landslide-dam-break flood in pristine reach Elwha River valley filled former channel diverted river. The reference site for restoration following planned removal We identified five surfaces 25 ha debris fan deposited flood. Based tree ages historic air photos, three formed while two later. varied substrate (silt sand, to...

Large dam removals effectively restore geomorphic and hydrologic processes, but little is known about subsequent vegetation recovery the role of active restoration. We studied whether planting seeding affected in a dewatered reservoir, effects differed on landforms composed fine or coarse‐textured sediments. The reservoir behind former Glines Canyon Dam, which was removed from Elwha River Washington State (U.S.A.) 2011–2014. measured bare ground 2013–2017, species richness, relative...