Vulnerability to Wind Damage in Maine Forests

Thomas Perry and Jeremy S. Wilson

University of Maine Department of Forest Management

Wind damage influences forest management throughout the world and the forests of Maine provide no exception. Extensive blow down has been described after wind events during the late 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th centuries. Chronic more localized events impact forests throughout the region on a yearly basis. Maine forests contain a considerable amount of red spruce and balsam fir, tree species that are considered susceptible to wind damage. The vulnerability of Maine forests to wind damage may increase in the future as areas regenerated after a 1970’s and 1980’s era spruce budworm outbreak mature. In addition, partial removals currently account for over 74 % of the area harvested annually in the state. A GIS-based model of wind damage vulnerability that reflects topographic exposure, soil conditions, and stand characteristics has been developed and generically calibrated using information from the wind damage literature. To assess and refine the model we will compare predicted vulnerability to a large database of forest stands from northern and western Maine that includes information about recent wind damage. The refined model will be used in conjunction with forest growth simulators to assess the implications of alternative management approaches on future vulnerability to wind damage. In particular, we are investigating how vulnerability changes with greater reliance on partial harvesting techniques and the resulting homogenization of stand structures across the landscape.

Air and Water Session - Thursday Afternoon

corresponding author:

Jeremy S. Wilson
Department of Forest Management
University of Maine
5755 Nutting Hall
Orono, ME 04473
Jeremy_Wilson@umenfa.maine.edu