Project Title

Modeling Growth Response of Loblolly Pine and Economic Returns From Nutrient Additions Based on a Gradient of Soil Characteristics Across the Southeastern United States

Project Description

This project addresses the growth response and economic return of loblolly pine fertilization across a broad gradient of soils in the southeastern U.S. Based on a new soil classification system constructed by the Forest Productivity Cooperative for the purpose of forest management, researchers will model fertilizer response trials to better assess factors driving forest response. They will include other data such as LiDAR or satellite imagery to then develop better prediction models. With this information, the researchers will conduct a spatially explicit economic analysis to assess the return-on-investment for fertilization.

Principal Investigators

• Rachel Cook, director
• Justin Baker

Collaborators

• Forest Productivity Cooperative
• Southern Resource Assessment Consortium

Expected Outcomes

• Soil-specific fertilizer response map for loblolly pine plantations in the southeastern U.S.
• Predictive models estimating the magnitude and duration of fertilization response based on soil types
• Spatially explicit economic model incorporating soil-based fertilizer response, fertilizer costs and local stumpage prices

About McIntire-Stennis

The McIntire-Stennis program, a unique federal-state partnership, cultivates and delivers forestry and natural resource innovations for a better future. By advancing research and education that increases the understanding of emerging challenges and fosters the development of relevant solutions, the program has ensured healthy, resilient forests and communities and an exceptional natural resources workforce since 1962.