Sustaining Cross-Timbers Forest Resources: Current Knowledge and Future Research Needs

Omkar Joshi, Rodney E. Will, Chris B. Zou and Gehendra Kharel
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Omkar Joshi: Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Rodney E. Will: Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Chris B. Zou: Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Gehendra Kharel: Department of Environmental Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, TX 76129, USA

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: The Cross-Timbers region of the United States, situated in the southern Great Plains along the western edge of the eastern deciduous forest, was historically Quercus -dominated open forest interspersed with tallgrass prairie and shrubs communities. The historical structure of the Cross- Timbers forests in this region has been altered, mainly due to fire exclusion, such that the current structure is closed-canopy and includes a midstory of fire-intolerant species. This change has reduced many of the important ecosystem services provided. This paper synthesizes existing literature on the Cross-Timbers with the aim of summarizing the current state of Cross-Timbers management related to sustaining ecosystem services and identifying potential research topics and directions needed. Specifically, we consider the ecological, management, and socio-economic issues. In addition, we theorize how the adoption of active forest management will affect ecosystem services and structure of the Cross-Timbers forests.

Keywords: social science research; forested ecosystems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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