Stephen C. Grado

Characterizing vertical forest structure using small-footprint airborne LiDAR

Abstract Characterization of forest attributes at fine scales is necessary to manage terrestrial resources in a manner that replicates, as closely as possible, natural ecological conditions. In forested ecosystems, management decisions are driven by variables such as forest composition, forest structure (both vertical and horizontal), and other ancillary data (i.e., topography, soils, slope, aspect, and disturbance regime dynamics). Vertical forest structure is difficult to quantify and yet is an important component in the decision-making process. This study investigated the use of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data for classifying this attribute at landscape scales for inclusion into decision-support systems. Analysis of field-derived tree height variance demonstrated that this metric could distinguish between two classes of vertical forest structure. Analysis of LiDAR-derived tree height variance demonstrated that differences between single-story and multistory vertical structural classes could be detected. Landscape-scale classification of the two structure classes was 97% accurate. This study suggested that within forest types of the Intermountain West region of the United States, LiDAR-derived tree heights could be useful in the detection of differences in the continuous, nonthematic nature of vertical structure forest with acceptable accuracies.

Economic Impacts of Waterfowl Hunting in Mississippi Derived From a State-Based Mail Survey

Waterfowl are a valued resource in Mississippi and throughout most of the United States. There are few economic impact assessments for waterfowl hunting. In this study, assessments in Mississippi were derived from waterfowl hunter expenditure data collected by a self-administered mail questionnaire for the 2005–2006 hunting season. Hunter expenditures obtained from a mail survey (n = 1,500, 51% response rate) were used along with participation rates in days in the Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) system software to determine state economic impacts. Adjusted economic impacts supporting the economy totaled

Antiquing as a Tourism Recreational Activity in Southwestern Pennsylvania

86.8 million (2009 USD).Wildlife managers in the United States need to focus on this valued resource by using more accurate information from state-based surveys, along with ecological assessments, to facilitate prioritization of wildlife management decisions aimed at sustaining it.

Economic Impacts of Mississippi Wildlife-Associated Outfitters and Their Clientele

An economic impact study of travel and tourism in southwestern Pennsylvania iden tified 25 travel-related activities and associated visitor expenditures. Purchases of antiques appeared to be understated, therefore antiquing was included as a separate recreational activity in the second year of the study. All regional expenditures made by nonresident visitors were entered into an input-output model of the region. The majority of antique shops in the region belong to four cooperatives or antiquing centers. Annual visitation totaled 278,352 for the retail antiquing trade and was evenly split among residents and nonresidents. Nonresident visitors spent an average of

A factorial design analysis of a biomass to ethanol production system.

32.47 per activity day. The value-added component of the economic impact totaled

Economic values and regional economic impacts of recreational fisheries in Mississippi reservoirs.

3.36 million, and 149 jobs were supported. The pursuit of antiques supported the consumption of regional goods and services and the generation of additional income and spending.

Factors influencing utilization of woody biomass from wood processing facilities in Mississippi.

Wildlife-associated outfitters and their clientele play an important role in local and state economies. Based on survey data of Mississippi wildlife-associated outfitters and their clientele, we simulated economic impacts induced by their direct expenditures at the state level and by species type (white-tailed deer—Odocoileus virginianus, northern bobwhite quail—Colinus virginianus, and waterfowl—Anas spp.). Results indicated that expenses incurred by outfitters in 2003 generated US

Perceived values of benefits from Mississippi's forestry Best Management Practices

20.02 million in total industry output, US

Input–Output Modeling of Wood-Based Bioenergy Industries in Mississippi

8.80 million in value added, and supported 215 full- or part-time jobs, whereas expenses incurred by clientele generated US

Analyzing Landowner Demand for Wildlife and Forest Management Information

1.88 in total industry output, US