Changing objectives of non-industrial private forest ownership: a confirmatory approach to measurement model testing

While the behavior and objectives of non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners have been studied extensively, studies that systematically test the underlying measurement model are lacking in forest economic literature. Our paper reports the results obtained from a recent large-scale survey conducted in Finland in 2011 (n = 557). Results indicate a novel way to systematically analyze the objectives of forest ownership by testing the validity of the developed measurement scale using the structural equations modeling technique. From an exploratory factor analysis of 22 items measuring forest owner objectives, a four-dimensional structure is identified in the background objectives of NIPF owners. These dimensions are labeled as recreation and leisure time, sense of economic security, nature conservation and aesthetics, and timber sales income objective. Having undergone a confirmatory testing process, results from the four-dimensional model support the validity of the developed 16-item measurement model. Based on these findings, we argue that the logical NIPF owner objective structure in Finland consists of experiential forest value, as perceived in current and future time contexts, as well as of current and future economic objectives. As the theoretical structure divides forest owner objectives into the evaluation of the present objectives, supplemented with a psychological evaluation of the future objectives, a novel classification of NIPF owner objectives is suggested.

Private Forest Owners and Invasive Plants: Risk Perception and Management

We investigated nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners' invasive plant risk perceptions and mitigation practices using statistical analysis of mail survey data and qualitative analysis of interview data collected in Oregon's ponderosa pine zone. We found that 52% of the survey sample was aware of invasive plant species considered problematic by local natural resource professionals; 70% was concerned about these species; and 46% had treated invasive plants on their parcels. Owners' perceptions of invasive plant risks fell along a spectrum ranging from a lack of awareness or concern, to the view that invasive plant infestations have discrete causes and controllable consequences, to the perception that incursions by invasive plants have diffuse causes and uncontrollable effects. Being aware or concerned about invasive plant species were predictors (p ≤ 0.001) of whether owners treat their parcels to control invasive plants. Holding wildlife habitat and/or biodiversity as an important forest management goal was also a predictor (p ≤ 0.08) of whether owners treated their parcels to control invasive plants. Some owners were sensitive to the risks of invasive plant infestations from nearby properties, and a surprisingly high percentage of respondents had cooperated with others in forest management activities previously. Our findings suggest three approaches to increasing the frequency of invasive plant mitigation by NIPF owners that hold promise: (1) raising awareness and concern about invasive plants and their impacts on forest management goals that owners care about, such as wildlife habitat and/or biodiversity; (2) providing assistance to help owners mitigate invasive plants they feel unable to control; and (3) engaging owners in coordinated efforts across ownership boundaries to address invasive plant risks.

Landowner Perceptions of Habitat Protection Policy and Process in Oregon

Nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) owners in the United States are subject to state and federal regulations designed to protect fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, and other sensitive resources. Oregon state regulations restrict forest operations on private lands that might potentially conflict with specified resource sites, including nest sites of certain bird species and wetland sites. Research undertaken in 2004 examined the extent and distribution of sensitive resource site actions and examined the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of affected NIPF owners regarding specified resource site policies and procedures. Methods included statistical analysis of state databases and semistructured interviews with key informants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to elicit central themes. Our findings suggest that NIPF owners' responses to sensitive resource protection reflect not only economic concerns but also landowner management objectives and values and their perceptions of policy implementation. Themes related to power and control, perceptions of habitat protection, policy implementation, and trust and credibility are identified as driving informant views of resource protection policy.

Wisconsin Private Sector Foresters’ Involvement in Nonindustrial Private Forestland Cross-boundary Forestry Practices

Wisconsin private sector foresters (n = 92) were surveyed to learn their participation, experience, and/or interest in coordinating cross-boundary forestry practices by nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) owners. Survey response was 78%. Two-thirds reported coordinating cross-boundary practices in the last 2 years. Their most recent practice was typically a timber sale between 41 and 160 ac for two NIPF owners. Despite interest in future cross-boundary forestry practices, the scale of existing practices is still large in comparison to typical NIPF ownerships. Reducing transaction costs also presents a major challenge. Ideas for addressing these challenges are explored.

Afforestation Motivations of Private Landowners: An Examination of Hardwood Tree Plantings in Indiana

While a number of studies have investigated the objectives and characteristics of nonindus-trial private forestland (NIPF) owners as they relate to afforestation and reforestation decisions, very few studies have addressed these among NIPF owners in the Central Hardwood Forest Region of the United States, and even fewer have linked these to plantation establishment success. This article reports on such an examination in Indiana. Landowners were found to value their land for the privacy it provides, as a place of residence, and as a legacy for future generations. They afforested primarily to provide for future generations, to supply food and habitat for wildlife, and to conserve the natural environment. Seedling survival was lowest on sites owned by individuals who did not value their land as a legacy for future generations. Many NIPF owners are engaging in requisite behaviors to ensure plantation establishment success. The results of this study are discussed in terms of their importance as indicators of the influence of cost-share programs and the insight they provide into potential target areas for future programs.North. J. Appl. For. 22(3):149 –153.

Multivariate Probit Modeling of Decisions on Timber Harvesting and Request for Assistance by African-American Forestland Owners

This study identifies factors influencing the decisions to harvest timber and request assistance by African-American forestland owners in Alabama's Black Belt. A multivariate probit model is estimated using landowner survey data to predict the landowners' interrelated behavior in timber harvesting and request for technical and financial assistance. The size of forestland holdings, existence of management plans, and occupation of landowners are significantly related to timber harvesting. Landowners who have a management plan are more likely to seek technical and financial assistance. In addition, importance of timber production and contribution of forestland to household income affect the landowners' request for technical assistance, while age influences their decisions to seek financial assistance. Timber harvesting is positively correlated with seeking technical assistance, which is positively associated with seeking financial assistance. In general, these landowners tend not to seek assistance. Our results show some similarities as well as differences between African-American forestland owners and general nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) owners. More successes in reaching out to African-American forestland owners would be achieved through incorporating their uniqueness and constraints in future program design and implementation and by initially targeting those who have a management plan or a desire to develop one, rely more on forests for income, and are more inclined to timber production. South. J. Appl. For. 29(3): 135–142.

An Analysis of Future Private Timber Supply Potential in Western Oregon

Projections of potential supply with volume-flow and market-based models suggest that western Oregon forest industry owners could sustain cut at recent levels, stemming the 40 yr declining trend in their harvest. NIPF owners could raise harvests to near historical peak levels. These harvests would entail oscillating long-run inventories under the market projection and stable to declining inventories in the even-flow case. Average clearcut age would decline over the projection. Forest industry management would shift toward plantations with thinning and early density control. NIPF management would continue to depend on natural regeneration with increased use of commercial thinning. Simulated riparian protection policies lower harvest roughly in proportion to the land base reduction, raise log prices, and drive up the price of land not subject to restrictions. The present value of future net returns to private timberland owners would decline. A policy to extend the minimum age of clearcut harvest could have large near-term impacts on both industrial and NIPF owners. Prices rise sharply, and harvest declines in the near term. In the longer term, the policy acts like an enforced supply expansion, raising harvest and depressing prices. Timberland owners lose both in terms of income and in the reduction of bare land values due to lower product prices and harvest timing restrictions. West. J. Appl. For. 18(3):166–174.

Management Plans and Oregon's NIPF Owners: A Survey of Attitudes and Practices

Management planning can help NIPF owners identify goals and constraints, assess resource potentials, and prioritize management activities. Interestingly, however, only a small percent of owners nationwide have management plans. This note reports characteristics of Oregon NIPF owners, their ownerships, and their opinions and practices concerning management planning. Connections among various owner/ownership characteristics and management plans/planning are discussed, including ownership size and objectives, owner age, family involvement, plan development, obstacles to planning, and plan use, results, and updating. West J. Appl. For. 18(2):127–132.