Survey Summary

This preliminary report summarizes responses to a survey taken by participants at the Intensive Plantation Forestry Symposium in Portland, Oregon.  The intent of this project was to capture the initial opinions and attitudes of participants about plantation forestry and then gauge the influence of the symposium presentations on the audience. An identical nine-item questionnaire was administered at the beginning and at the end of the symposium. Also recorded was the participants’ organizational affiliation.

The first questionnaire (pre-test) was completed by 203 participants. Due to workshop attrition, the final questionnaire (post-test) was completed by 113 respondents. However, only 80 of these individuals recorded the ID number assigned to them so that questionnaires could be matched statistically for analytical purposes. In the data summary that follows the following labels are used to delineate groups: 

Pre and Post:   the 80 respondents who completed both questionnaires
Pre aggregate:  the 203 respondents who completed the first questionnaire
Post aggregate:  the 113 respondents who completed the second questionnaire

Data for each group are reported to show there were no significant differences in responses across the three groups for any item. This suggests that the Pre and Post group is fairly representative of the entire sample. Data for the Pre and Post group were analyzed and significant differences among responses are reported.

For additional information about this survey contact:

Dr. Thomas Adams         
Dr. Stephen Hobbs
Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University
Dr. Bruce Shindler
Department of Forest Resources, Oregon State University

Intensive Plantation Forestry Symposium Questionnaire

Definitions

For the purposes of the following questionnaire, intensive plantation management refers to growing trees under high input culture to rapidly produce timber products with a desired range of wood properties.  By “high input culture,” we mean intensive site preparation, planting with genetically improved stock, active control of weedy competition, fertilization and thinning (if needed), and clear cutting.  Furthermore, the statements refer to conifer plantations in the coastal Douglas-fire zone where current rotations are 30-50 years.

Please check below the affiliation that is the closest match to yours: (post survey)

In surveys of this type, delineating responses by participant affiliation and comparing scores across groups can sometimes be useful.  However, for the pre and post survey the sample participant group (n=80) was not large enough to merit such comparisons; that is, statistical analysis was not possible.

Please check all sessions you attended at this conference (post survey):

1) Merchantable wood yields are greater in intensively managed plantations than under less-intensive silvicultural regimes that are used to grow trees primarily for timber production.

For both the pre and post survey there is strong agreement—the most for any single survey item—that merchantable yields are greater in intensively managed plantations.When such high levels of agreement are present initially, it is unlikely that opinions will be altered with additional information.

2) Merchantable wood yield can be maximized in intensively managed plantations without sacrificing the quality of wood produced.

Considerable disparity exists over the issue of maximizing wood yield without sacrificing quality.  There was no majority of opinion (agreement or disagreement) in either the pre or post surveys; however, significantly fewer respondents agreed with the statement at the conclusion of the symposium.  More individuals shifted to the neutral response. 

There is substantial agreement overall that economic value is greater in intensively managed plantations.  Even so, significantly more respondents were in strong agreement at the end of the symposium.         

4) The practice of intensive plantation management on private lands is necessary if the Pacific Northwest is to be competitive on the world wood market.

Again, strong agreement exists regarding the necessity of intensive plantation management on private lands.  Fewer respondents disagreed with this statement than any other in the survey.  Opinions remained the same over the term of the symposium. 

5) The practice of intensive plantation management on public lands is necessary if the Pacific Northwest is to be competitive on the world wood market.

Much disparity exists over the need for intensive plantation management on public lands.  Overall, respondents lean toward disagreement with the statement, particularly at the end of the symposium when a full 50% registered this view.  Substantially high numbers of individuals were neutral about the statement suggesting uncertainty about the efficacy of these practices on public lands. 

6) Small woodland owners are likely to utilize intensive plantation management in the future.