Goal Definitions

The first goal, Large-Scale Variety relates to visual quality. Large-scale variety within a forested area is obtained by creating a few medium to large sized openings that provide the desired variety when viewed from an overlook. These openings also provide variety over time and are perceived as incremental changes that occur as individual stands change in age and vegetation character. This goal would prevent the creation and maintenance of unbroken, relatively homogeneous forest areas.

Goal-1: Visual Quality Domain
Large Scale Variety is attained IF
DFC-1: The Number of Stand Size Classes >= 3; AND
DFC-2: Openings < 67% of the forest area; AND
DFC-3: % of Area in each Stand Size Class <= 50%.

The second goal, Local Biological Diversity, represents the ecological domain. Interest in enhancing local biological diversity stems from a desire to manage the forest for plant and animal species richness to preserve or establish plants, plant associations, and habitats that are unique to this local area. Direct measurements of species richness are possible, however, in practice such measurements are seldom available. An alternative way to define local biological diversity is in terms of the state of the forest landscape that would enhance biological diversity. A wide variety of vegetative conditions is likely to perpetuate the maximum number of plant species and provide habitat for the maximum number of animal species. Therefore, the local biological diversity goal is defined as follows:

Goal-2: Ecological Resource Domain
Local Biological Diversity is attained IF
DFC-1: % Stands in Large & Small Sawtimber > 20%; AND
DFC-2: % Stands in Sapling & Pole Size Classes > 10%; AND
DFC-3: % Stands in Regeneration Size Class > 10%; AND
(DFC-4: Openings > 5%; OR DFC-5: Water is Present).

The third goal, Continuous Quality Sawtimber Production, represents the timber commodity goal. The tree species that make up the southern Appalachian hardwood forests are particularly well suited to the production of large, high-quality sawtimber. Unlike the previous two goals, the third goal must be defined both at the management unit level and at the individual stand level.

Goal-3: Timber Resource Domain
Continuous Quality Sawtimber Production is attained IF
Management Unit Level:
DFC-1: % Stands in Large Sawtimber >= 10% & <= 15%; AND
DFC-2: % Stands in Small Sawtimber >= 25% & <= 35%; AND
DFC-3: % Stands in Sapling & Pole Size Classes >= 35 & <= 45%; AND
DFC-4: % Stands in Regeneration Size Class > 5% & <= 10%;
Stand Level:
DFC-5: Relative Density >= 60 and < 100; AND
DFC-6: Basal Area of Acceptable Growing Stock >= 6.9 m2 /ha; AND
DFC-7: Basal Area of High Value Species >= 6.9 m2 /ha; AND
DFC-8: Basal Area of Commercial Species >= 11.5 m2 /ha

Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) for the management unit-level test for the existence of a balanced size class distribution throughout the forest in order to provide a continuous supply of sawtimber products. DFCs for the stand-level test that stands themselves are well stocked with trees of the appropriate species and quality.

The fourth goal, Limit Peak Flows, represents the water management goal. The goal to limit peak flows focuses on reducing erosion, silting, and flooding in the watershed by concentrating on the sensitive riparian zone stands.

Goal-4: Water Resource Domain
Limit Peak Flows is achieved IF
Management Unit Level:
DFC-1: % Openings < 25%; AND
DFC-2: Riparian Stands must meet all stand level DFCs.
Stand Level:
DFC-3: Relative Density >= 70; AND
DFC-4: % Basal Area of evergreen trees > 0 m2 /ha; AND
DFC-5: Canopy Closure > 25%.

Finally, the fifth goal, Black Bear, represents the wildlife management domain. This goal is designed to create and/or enhance habitat for black bear.

Goal-5: Wildlife Resource Domain
Habitat for black bear is achieved IF
Management Unit Level:
DFC-1: > 30% of Stands must meet stand level DFCs.
Stand Level:
DFC-2: Coarse woody debris > 3.5 m3/ha; AND
(DFC-3: Soft mast producing trees are present; OR
DFC-4: Hard mast producing trees are present).

These five goals and their DFCs define a formal goal hierarchy for the project-level natural resource management process for Bent Creek Experimental Forest. This formal goal hierarchy explicitly and clearly defines a logical relationship between the top-level goal of successfully managing Bent Creek Experiment Forest and the 5 subgoals introduced above. In order to achieve or maintain any one subgoal, we need to satisfy each of its defining DFCs. The DFCs are defined in terms of variables that can be measured either in the real forest ecosystem as it currently exists or as it is forecast to exist in the future. Monitoring and evaluation can determine whether meeting defined DFCs does achieve a goal or if new DFCs are needed.