CONCLUSIONS AND RECOmENDATIONS 



Overview of the Current Grazable Forestland Resource 



In 1978, approximately 77 percent (906,500 acres) of the sampled commer- 

 cial timberland acreage had less than 71 percent crown density and, therefore, 

 was considered grazable. The condition of the understory was estimated to be 

 excellent or good on about 81 percent (729,800 acres) of the grazable commer- 

 cial timberland. The current available carrying capacity was estimated to be 

 127,9'*8 AUM's or about 7'* percent of the potential available carrying capacity 

 of 172,277 AUM's. It is necessary to re-evaluate the grazing practices on 

 those acres experiencing a downward trend in range condition to keep the 

 amount of acres in poor or fair condition from increasing. 



The amount and location of grazable forest acreage changes from year to 

 year as new stands are logged or burned and as crown densities in existing 

 timber stands increase and block out the sun. In 1978, approximately 77 

 percent (906,500 acres) of the sampled commercial timberland acreage had less 

 than 71 percent crown density and, therefore, was considered grazable. The 

 condition of the forest understory was estimated to be excellent or good on 

 about 81 percent of the grazable commercial timberland. Timberlands with 

 crown densities of 0-30 percent showed evidence of the most overgrazing. 

 About 34 percent of these areas were in fair or poor condition. 



Overall, a total of 176,700 acres of the commercial timberland's understo- 

 ry were determined to be in fair or poor condition. If the ecological condi- 

 tion of the understory on these acres are not currently improving, their 

 stocking rates probably need to be re-evaluated. Some of the grazable 

 timberland that was rated as being in excellent or good condition could also 

 be experiencing overgrazing. Over a period of time even land in excellent 

 condition, if overgrazed, could deteriorate to a poor condition. 



The current carrying capacity, defined by the inventory procedures as 

 available animal unit months (AUM's), was estimated to be 127,947 AUM's. If 

 every acre of grazable timberland were in excellent condition, the potential 

 available carrying capacity would be 172,277 AUM's. The actual available 

 carrying capacity was 74 percent of the potential available carrying capacity. 



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