Research Strategies for Increasing Productivity of Intensively Managed Forest Plantations

2009) and estimated to average 89% nationally (Ice et al. in press). Information is needed to successfully address the confluence of technological, biophysical, and environmental issues surrounding intensively managed forests. This overview describes current intensive plantation management practices in the United States and their role in increasing forest productivity. Although a number of plantation tree species could be considered intensively managed in these and other regions, we confine our analysis to predominately three species supported by genetic tree improvement programs. These species are the southern pines (primarily loblolly pine [Pinus taeda L.], Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii {Mirb.}] Franco) in the Pacific Northwest, and the poplars (Populus spp.) in the Midwest. We suggest that information needed to achieve further boosts in productivity fall into two general categories: (1) scientific research to understand the functioning of biophysical systems, including their response to management practices, and (2) technology transfer to ensure application of the best information available by resource managers and landowners. Although not addressed in this analysis, it is also critical that financial returns from forestry investments be quantified and communicated to landowners to provide them with information and incentives they can use as a basis for deciding whether to implement intensive manage-