Quantifying landscape spatial patterns: a collaborative forest management framework for tribal and federal lands

Abstract

Presently, ecological conditions of landscapes are the result of ownerships, spatial pattern and dynamics of ownerships, and ecological interactions among individual ownerships. Ownerships are distinct jurisdictional units, however, forest spatial patterns, processes, functions, disturbances, and health conditions exceed current legal boundaries. Applying spatial and multivariate statistics across ownerships allows researchers and managers to quantify influences on ecological conditions and better identify objectives and alternatives for ecological issues. Research identified the value the Yakama Nation offers as an operational framework to implement collaborative planned treatment activities and promote development, planning, and implementation of future treatments. Analyses concluded increasing logging activity to enhance collaborative ecosystem restoration activities, sustain, and develop local industries and economies dependent on sustainable forest resources. Collaborative forest management networks like the Anchor Forest Pilot Project and Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative should review these results to determine applicability and identify opportunities for treatment implementation and sustained collaboration.