153 - 
above, 
cify 
that 
lopment 
control could have been exerted in relation to the time of day that the 
imagery was taken, these shadow effects caused by the angle of the sun, 
particularly in ravines and slopes facing away from the sun, may have been 
reduced. 
a generated 
y sampling 
ssessment 
ing this 
ional 
s can 
supports 
APPLICATIONS 
A decision as to the feasibility of imposing a wildland management 
system (reduction of forest density, removal of forest overstory, etc.) to 
meet any production or use objective regarding a natural resource mix 
on any combination of wildland units can be aided by application of forest 
stocking equations. It is assumed that the portion of wildland units 
currently supporting a minimum forest density level which corresponds to 
the forest density level prescribed by the management system will, sub 
sequently, represent the portion of wildland units that can be subjected 
to the management system (Ffolliott and Worley, 1973). 
cumulative 
a that 
agery 
alyses. 
ed: 
For example, suppose that a wildland management system calls for a 
uniform reduction of forest density to a level assumed "optimum" in terms 
of natural resource production and use. However, a frequency distribution 
developed for the wildland units involved may reveal that only, say, 35 percent 
of the units could meet the management system forest density objective. A 
decision may then need to be made regarding the feasibility of implementing 
the system. Possibly, the original prescription could be discarded in 
favor of one that would place a larger portion of the wildland units in a 
forest under management, such as reduction of forest density to a level 
Mational 
percent 
that is less than the assumed "optimum". Unfortunately, this alternative 
forest density level may result in a lower potential for natural resource 
production and use. Due to the greater portion of wildland units subjected 
to management, the outcome could be more favorable in the long-run, however. 
Obviously, the final decision must be a compromise between obtaining the 
maximum potential, as prescribed by the management system, and extending 
the management system to the largest possible portion of wildland units. 
inimum 
y computer 
a of a 
rvel. 
ill often 
Regardless of what a specific wildland management system is designed 
to accomplish, the application of forest stocking equations will help to 
evaluate management potential and prescribe management feasibility (Ffolliott 
and Worley, 1973). A hydrologist might ask, "What is the distribution of 
forest density levels that relate to specific snowpack accumulation and 
melt characteristics?". A range specialist may ask, "What portion of wild 
associated 
jrein. 
to many 
study. 
land units in a forest is stocked in excess of a given forest density level 
considered maximum to allow acceptable forage production for allotment 
management?". An economist interested in direct costs of management systems 
implementation might ask, "How much of a forest needs to be treated, and with 
what intensity does the treatment need to be applied to bring the unit to 
?ge areas 
Lt difficult 
l more 
a predescribed forest density level?". Or, a timber manager might ask, 
"What is the extent of a forest density level considered to be minimum for 
profitable harvesting?".