The journal California Agriculture offers peer-reviewed research and news in agricultural, natural and human resources. Private land owners are able to share their views on rangeland and forest resources. Two articles in the October-December 2011 issue are of interest to private land owners and those interested in conserving and educating about California’s blue oaks.
The first article, Tree shelters and weed control enhance growth and survival of natural blue oak seedlings, discusses two techniques that can improve the chances for conserving native blue oaks and for managing blue oak sustainability. Here is a preview of the article’s extended abstract:
“Blue oak is regenerating poorly in portions of its range. Techniques to artificially regenerate trees by collecting acorns, growing seedlings in a nursery and then planting them are effective but costly. Improving the growth and survival rate of existing volunteer seedlings in woodlands could be more cost efficient and therefore more widely used. We tested tree shelters and weed control treatments over 3 years at six woodland sites to evaluate whether they helped blue oak seedlings grow into saplings. The tree shelters enhanced height growth, and weed control improved survival”.
The second article, Forest and rangeland owners value land for natural amenities and as financial investment, discusses the recent shift away from “production-oriented ownership” of privately owned land. Here is a snippet of the article’s extended abstract:
“Forty-two percent of California's forests and rangelands are privately owned (34 million acres). These lands provide important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, pollination and wildlife habitat, but little is known about the people who own and manage them. We surveyed forest and rangeland owners in California and found that these long-time landowners value their properties for their natural amenities and as a financial investment. Owners of large properties (500 or more acres) were significantly more likely to use their land for income production than owners of smaller properties, and they were also more likely to carry out or be interested in environmental improvements. Many forest and rangeland owners reported they had been previously approached to sell their land for development. Only about one-third had participated in conservation programs; few had conservation easements.”
The survey discussed in the article can ultimately aid in land-owning outreach efforts, and the economic policies, programs and financial incentives for rangeland owners.
To read the full articles and to learn more, CLICK HERE.
References:
Forest and rangeland owners value land for natural amenities and as financial investment
by Shasta Ferranto, Lynn Huntsinger, Christy Getz, Gary Nakamura, William Stewart,
Sabrina Drill, Yana Valachovic, Michael DeLasaux, Maggi Kelly. pp184-191,
doi#10.3733/ca.v065n04p184
Tree shelters and weed control enhance growth and survival of natural blue oak seedlings
by Douglas D. McCreary, William Tietje, Josh Davy, Royce Larsen, Morgan Doran,
Dustin Flavell, Sergio Garcia. pp192-196, doi#10.3733/ca.v065n04p192 -