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Ongoing research projects for the IFTNC include examination of the
effects of varying levels of nitrogen, potassium, sulfur and boron
fertilization on forest growth and health; collection and identification
of Armillaria sp. fungi and microbial decomposer organisms from a
variety of sites and fertilization treatments; and individual tree
'screening' and weed-and-feed fertilization trials. One of the IFTNC's
most significant contributions to inland northwest forest management in
recent years is the development of 'nutrient management' procedures,
including recommendations on harvesting techniques, slash treatment, species
selection, and how geology and site type can affect these decisions.
The IFTNC is currently working to create a
nutrient cycling model which will work in tandem with regional
growth-and-yield models, to help predict the effects of large nutrient
removals through fire or harvest on subsequent stand yields. |
Operational
fertilization by helicopter.
photo by Curtis VanderSchaaf
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