Southern US: Handbook for Forest Vegetation Management in Recreation and Historic Parks

I’ve never seen someone repost an entire handbook / PDF in a blog. I
guess I’m grateful somebody did it! Though I’m not sure if people will
use it more often or less often? –Editor, Forest Policy Research

This handbook provides information on general forest ecology for parks
in the Southeastern United States, as well as management advice for
achieving many objectives common to recreational and historical parks
in the region. Maintaining healthy forests, dealing with exotic
species, controlling turf and meadow areas, and creating screens and
windbreaks are all common issues faced by many park managers.

commuters Cartoon Whitehors Southern US: Handbook for Forest Vegetation Management in Recreation and Historic Parks

These
and more are addressed in this handbook. The information in this
handbook draws heavily from published literature, the experience of
the authors, and the suggestions of various reviewers and park
managers. This handbook is generic; therefore, it may not conform to
specific guidelines and regulations of all state and federal park
agencies. For historical parks especially, the sections on earthwork
preservation, historic scene restoration, and agricultural use areas
will be useful. In managing the forests of natural and historical
parks, it should be recognized that dead or dying trees due to
succession may be part of natural changes in healthy forest stands.
Natural forest stands will always contain dead or dying trees as they
move from pioneer to climax stages of succession and then regenerate
themselves. The appearance of stands with dead trees should be
investigated further. The dead trees may indicate serious insect or
disease problems, or other unhealthy conditions. However, the dead
trees may also merely indicate that the stand is transitional, with
young trees and seedlings in the understory as evidence that the
forest is still growing vigorously. Dead standing trees and logs on
the ground are more than signs of death; they are sources of food and
shelter for wildlife, numerous invertebrates, and countless species of
microorganisms. They also hold nutrients for the young forest
vegetation that are released as they decompose.
http://forestrysust.blogspot.com/2009/01/forest-vegetation-management.html
Sourced from http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-143/420-143.html