Browsing by Author "Ek, Alan R."
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Item 2010 Outlook for Forest Biomass Availability in Minnesota: Physical, Environmental, Economic, and Social Availability(University of Minnesota, 2010-10) Becker, Dennis R.; Klapperich, Jonathan J.; Domke, Grant M.; Kilgore, Michael A.; D’Amato, Anthony W.; Current, Dean A.; Ek, Alan R.The growing interest and investment in forest biomass for energy production in Minnesota has created the need for accurate estimates of supply. This report estimates the total physical supply of residual forest biomass in Minnesota using a spreadsheet based Forest Age Class Change Simulator (FACCS) to model changes in forest growth and productivity at different harvest target levels, biomass retention levels, forest type, ownership, and biomass attribute (e.g., bolewood, limbs and tops). The findings are presented statewide and by region for different harvest levels and forest management scenarios. Total economic and social availability are further modeled for private woodland owners to determine the probability of their willingness to sell biomass in conjunction with ongoing forest management activities. The results provide a transparent analysis of biomass availability that illuminates policy dialogue and planning regarding the incremental increases in demand for forest biomass and the level of production that is ecologically sustainable within an area.Item ACRONYM : a hierarchical tree and forest growth model framework.(University of Minnesota, 1998-03) Robinson, Andrew P.; Ek, Alan R.ACRONYM is an extensible tree-level forest growth and dynamics model framework for the synthesis and assessment of models and submodels of forest ecosystem processes. The framework is designed for research in forest ecology and silviculture, development and testing of silvicultural guidelines, forest inventory updates, and long-term projections of forest and landscape dynamics. The framework accepts modules (submodels) of forest regeneration, tree growth, mortality, silviculture, harvesting and natural disturbance, each of which may operate at different spatial or temporal scales and levels of resolution. Component modules can range from empirical to process based, as understanding and data permit. Modules can be interchanged with a minimum of reprogramming to allow for comparison of assumptions about processes, different data input protocols, and project-specific reporting requirements.Item Analysis of the Cloquet Forestry Center continuous forest inventory 1959-1990.(University of Minnesota, 1994-12) Tuhus, Erik H.; Walters, David K.; Ek, Alan R.This report describes procedures, analysis, and results from a study of the Cloquet Forestry Center continuous forest inventory (CFI). The CFI on the property was established in 1959 and plots have since been measured five additional times. Summary tables are presented for individual covertypes and for covertype aggregates, for all measurement years. Trends in covertype acreage, growing stock, age class, and size class distribution for the forest over the 31-year period are also discussed. This study was conducted using an Rbase 4.5 relational database on a PC. A description of Rbase command files developed and used in the study and necessary editing and changes made to the database are included as appendices.Item Application of James-Stein and empirical Bayes procedures to simultaneous estimation problems in forest inventory(University of Minnesota, 1980-03-01) Burk, Thomas E.; Ek, Alan R.Traditional estimation procedures may ignore available auxilary information or use it only for regression, stratification, or in survey design. Such information, however, can be incorporated directly into estimation procedures. One case that has received much recent attention is where there exist K > 4 groups of simultaneous interest which are homogeneous (similar) with respect to their means. This paper describes two approaches (estimators) which incorporate auxilary information and thereby improve estimation efficiency as compared to commonly applied normal theory maximum likelihood estimators. Computer programs for implementation of the estimators are also described. Forest inventory problems provide an ideal application for such estimators. Simulation tests were conducted on four real forest populations covering volume and area estimation. Analysis of results showed consistent reductions in estimator total mean squared error. Confidence interval analyses are also presented.Item Assessment of Carbon Flows Associated with Forest Management and Biomass Procurement for the Laskin Biomass Facility(University of Minnesota, 2008-11-22) Domke, Grant M.; Ek, Alan R.; Becker, Dennis R.; Espeleta, Javier F.; D’Amato, Anthony W.; Reich, Peter B.; Suh, Sangwon; Kilgore, Michael A.; Current, Dean A.; Hoganson, Howard M.; Burk, Thomas E.; Blinn, Charles R.This carbon life cycle analysis of forest-derived biomass was developed as part of a larger assessment by Minnesota Power detailing fuel supply, fuel procurement plans, and project engineering for a new 26-megawatt biomass generation facility in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Forest-derived biomass is a renewable fuel that can be procured locally from forest harvest residues, mill residues, material from early thinnings and land cleaning, short rotation woody crops, brush, and urban wood waste. Energy generation from renewable fuels like forest biomass may dramatically alter the carbon balance in comparison to the use of fossil fuels like coal or natural gas. This study identifies the source and rate of carbon accumulation by tracking key inputs and outputs from forests through the conversion, regrowth and management activities over a 100-year period—the net carbon impact.Item An assessment of dead wood standards and practices in Minnesota.(University of Minnesota, 2007-02) Brown, Ross N.; Ek, Alan R.; Kilgore, Michael A.Through a review of existing data and literature, the amount of dead wood in Minnesota forests, its importance to forest health, the policies that guide sustainable dead wood management, and the level of compliance with dead wood guidelines are described. USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) monitoring efforts indicate there is a sizable and diverse supply of dead wood in Minnesota’s nearly fifteen million acres of timberland. There are almost eight cords of coarse woody debris (CWD) per acre on Minnesota’s timberlands. Federal timberlands have the highest density of dead wood, averaging over ten cords per acre. Scientific review indicates retention of dead wood in Minnesota forests contributes to ecological benefits such as wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and soil productivity.Item Assessment of the growth and yield potential of the Cloquet Forest with a computer-based growth projection model(University of Minnesota, 1980-12-01) Moeur, Melinda; Ek, Alan R.; Rose, DietmarA comprehensive data base consisting of permanent plot information from four survey years (1959 to 1976) was compiled for the Cloquet Forestry Center. Corresponding covertype data was developed and covertype maps were drafted. A distance-independent individual-tree-based growth model (MFPS) was used to project growth and yield for covertypes, with and without management. Management projections involved harvest by clearcut and subsequent regeneraton. Covertype summary table of initial inventories and projection results were produced by SUMREP, a computer program containing whole-tree biomass and product volume functions. Potential income from predicted first decade harvest of the red pine covertype is presented.Item Automating the Creation of Stem Maps for Permanent Forest Inventory Plots Using R (Revised)(University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources, 2017-05) Wilson, David C.; Zobel, John M.; Ek, Alan R.A method is presented and documented for constructing tree location maps for permanent field plots to aid remeasurement and usage of the tree and plot data.Item Bibliography of worldwide literature on individual tree based forest stand growth models(University of Minnesota, 1980-05-25) Dudek, Albert; Ek, Alan R.Item Brief description of MFPS: a multipurpose forest projection system.(University of Minnesota, 1980-05) Ek, Alan R.; Rose, Dietmar; Checky, Michael T.Item Cloquet Forestry Center Continuous Forest Inventory for 2000: Analysis and Integration with the Historical Database(University of Minnesota, 2011-08) Dieser, Peter J.; Ek, Alan R.Item Cloquet Forestry Center Continuous Forest Inventory Update for 2014(University of Minnesota, 2016-12) Shrestha, Maryada; Wilson, David C.; Zobel, John M.; Ek, Alan R.The Cloquet Forestry Center (CFC) is a field research and instructional station administrated by the University of Minnesota. This report compiles CFC Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) results from the summer 2014 re-measurement of 402 permanent field plots. These plots serve both research and forest management on the CFC. The individual plots are 1/7 acre in size and were installed and first measured in 1959. The plots have been subsequently remeasured in 1964, 1969, 1976, 1982, 1990, 2000 and in 2014. Three more plots were also added in 2014 (totaling 405) on newly acquired acreage. The report also describes changes in the forest since 2000 and longer-term trends. Summaries provided include 2014 number of trees, basal area, volume and biomass per acre by covertype, and acreage by age class distributions. Longer-term trends from 1959 are also described. The report also details the inventory design and associated details for the permanent plots, including measurement technologies. Data collection and analysis procedures were developed using Microsoft Access and the R statistical analysis package. Access to the compiled data and preliminary analysis is also available in the University Digital Conservancy.Item Cloquet Forestry Center permanent plot records 1959-1976 : status report and plans for remeasurement.(University of Minnesota, 1982-07-01) Reber, Carol A.; Ek, Alan R.The Cloquet Forestry Center continuous forest inventory is one of the most extensive data sets of its kind in the Lake States. Numerous studies ranging from reproduction sampling analyses to the testing of growth projection models have been based on this data. This report describes the sampling design, observed variables and past analyses of the survey plus data management problems that affect its utility. Summary statistics are also presented for various cover type aggregates for past measurement dates. A discussion of forest development over time is followed with plans for the 1982 remeasurement.Item Construction of Local Aerial Stand Volume(St. Paul, Minn. : School of Forestry, University of Minnesota, 1966-04-15) Ek, Alan R.; Meyer, Merle P.Item Cost-effective Forest Inventory Designs: Field Data Collection(University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources, 2018-02) Ek, Alan R.; Wilson, David C.; Edgar, Christopher B.; Zobel, John M.Item Cumulative forestry impact assessments : lessons learned and planning for states.(University of Minnesota, 2007-09) Kilgore, Michael A.; Ek, Alan R.Item Current Status and Long-term Trends of Silvicultural Practices in Minnesota: A 2008 Assessment(University of Minnesota, 2009-12) D’Amato, Anthony W.; Bolton, Nicholas W.; Blinn, Charles R.; Ek, Alan R.The silvicultural practices applied within a given landbase are dynamic and respond to numerous social, economic, and biological drivers. Minnesota is unique in that the silvicultural practices occurring within the state have been surveyed periodically over the past two decades, allowing for an assessment of the general trends and status of practices. These assessments are also critical for examining how factors, such as the adoption of site-level guidelines or fluctuations in stumpage prices, affect the types of management employed across the landbase. This study characterizes the status of silvicultural practices within Minnesota in 2008 and uses results from past surveys (1991 and 1996) to describe general trends in silviculture across ownerships and over time. A questionnaire regarding silvicultural practices applied in fiscal year 2008 was administered to all state, county, federal, industry, and Native American ownerships. Surveys included questions on silvicultural and harvesting practices such as regeneration practices used, extent and type of biofuels harvesting, use of site-level guidelines, and approaches to insect and disease issues. In addition, openended responses were collected on questions relating to general constraints most affecting the implementation of silvicultural practices.Item Demystifiying forest practice regulation : developing a Minnesota perspective : proceedings of the Winter meeting of the Minnesota Society of American Foresters, December 3-5, 1991, Brainerd, Minnesota.(University of Minnesota, 1994-07) Ek, Alan R.; Laursen, Steven B.; Williams, Ellen M.Item A description and guide to DPRG : a dynamic programming algorithm for forest stand thinning.(University of Minnesota, 1986-11-01) Stone, Jeff N.; Ek, Alan R.; Eriksson, MarianItem Description and implementation of a single cohort and lifespan yield and mortality model for forest stands in Minnesota(St. Paul, Minn. : Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, 2014-02) Zobel, John M.; Ek, Alan R.; O'Hara, Timothy J.