Overview

Old-growth forests represent a lofty ideal as much as an ecosystem—an icon of unspoiled nature, ecological stability, and pristine habitat. These iconic notions have actively altered the way society relates to old-growth forests, catalyzing major changes in policy and management. But how appropriate are those changes and how well do they really serve in reaching conservation goals?Old Growth in a New World untangles the complexities of the old growth concept and the parallel complexity of old-growth policy and management. It brings together more than two dozen contributors—ecologists, economists, sociologists, managers, historians, silviculturists, environmentalists, timber producers, and philosophers—to offer a broad suite of perspectives on changes that have occurred in the valuing and management of old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest over the past thirty years. The book • introduces the issues and history of old-growth values and conservation in the Pacific Northwest; • explores old growth through the ideas of leading ecologists and social scientists; • addresses the implications for the future management of old-growth forests and considers how evolving science and social knowledge might be used to increase conservation effectiveness. By confronting the complexity of the old-growth concept and associated policy and management challenges, Old Growth in a New World encourages productive discussion on the future of old growth in the Pacific Northwest and offers options for more effective approaches to conserving forest biodiversity.

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9781597264105

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Readers will find this a very informative and enjoyable synthesis of the concepts that have evolved regarding Pacific Northwest old-growth forests. --CHOICE

""Readers will find this a very informative and enjoyable synthesis of the concepts that have evolved regarding Pacific Northwest old-growth forests."" -- ""CHOICE""

Readers will find this a very informative and enjoyable synthesis of the concepts that have evolved regarding Pacific Northwest old-growth forests. -- CHOICE

"""Readers will find this a very informative and enjoyable synthesis of the concepts that have evolved regarding Pacific Northwest old-growth forests."" -- ""CHOICE"""

Author Information

Thomas A. Spies is a forest ecologist and team leader in the Ecosystem Processes program at the Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, in Corvallis, Oregon. Sally L. Duncan is policy research director for the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

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