Establishing Research, Management, and
Harvest Areas for Piiion Nut Production
Gary cunningham', Jim
...
Gary Cunningham
New Mexico State University's Agricultural Experiment
Station, like most agricultud experiment stations in the United
States, has been around since 1888. This is our second century.
Some people think we are an outmoded institution I prefer to
thmk that we are venerable.
The word productivity might best describe the focus of much
research at agricu1tum.l experiment stations during their first
century. This focus included increasing production of
agricultural systems, as well as non-agricultural natural
ecosystems.
But for the second century, I think sustmability is the word
that describes ow focus. While the first century of agricultural
experiment stations did include research on maintaining
sustainability, I think this is becoming a greater emphasis today.
I also think agricultural experiment stations, especially New
Mexico's Agricultural Experiment Station, will turn more
attention to natural resource systems - that is natural
ecosystems. These systems are not untouched by man But they
have been less influenced than those systems which have been
heavily managed for a single resource.
The first century's emphasis on production taught us that
when we manage a system to maximize production of a single
resource, we make serious mistakes for long-term sustainability
of that natural resource.
We need to keep this in mind as we think about changing
management of piiion-juniper research systems in New Mexico.
We shouldn't lose our sense of the ecosystem. Pinon-juniper
systems are not just sources of piiion nuts; they're also sources
of clean water, fresh air and wildlife habitat. They're reservoirs
of biodiversity and mas of scenic beauty. All of these things
are of p a t value. We can not manage in an effort to maximize
any one resource, if we really hope to sustain the entire
ecosystem.
Associate Dean and Director, Agricultural Experiment Station,
NMSU, Las Cruces, NM.
Professor of Silviculture and Woody Plant Physiology,
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, New Mexico State
University, Las Cruces, NM.
Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horiiculture, New
Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
c is he?, and John ~ e x a l ~
When we talk about ecosystems, we aren't simply talking
about numerous organisms assembled at a part~cularglace and
time. We are talking about energy flow and nutrient cycling those important ecosystem characteristics that serve mankind.
I want to emphasize that the Agricultural Experiment Station
researchers working on piiion-juniper ecosystems never forget
the function and sustainability of the whole system. I thmk thls
emphasis is of much greater value than only considering a
parhcular commodity. When we consider a commodity like
piiion nuts, we are really talking about two systems - one
embedded in the other. In other words, we cannot lose sight of
the trees for the forest.
NEW VIEWS AND THE NEED FOR
WOODLAND RESEARCH
James T. Fisher...
Although pii'ion-juniper (P-J) woodlands have been studied
extensively, we are still far fmm the point of understanding how
they work. Our resource inventories are incomplete and
silvicultural treatments have not been sufficiently tested across
stand conditions, if they have been tested at all. Also, what
appears to be a wealth of researchderived information on tlus
resource is in reality a collection of data amassed from single
subject studies. Approaches of this type do not show
management impacts on the overall value of this resource. It
certainly does not help the manager choose among conflicting
uses or products. Now seems the time to direct attention to
problems of this type and woodland research mas can offer
opportunities to conduct the long-term, interdisciplinary studies
needed.
With this said, I would like to put woodland research into a
broader context, one that recognizes that our view of nature has
changed. Increasingly, we are being told that nature does not
behave as a well-oiled machine that works in a hlly predictable
way in the absence of outside interference. We also hear that in
reality nature exists in a balanced, steady state only in the minds
of those having a limited view of its complexity and potential
for swift change. As our views toward nature change, we ~ I E
forced to develop new management strategies and this quires
answering new questions with new knowledge derived from
research. The expandmg use of terms like new forestry and new
ecology suggest this process is well undenvay.
In an applied sense, wider public acceptance of the view that
nature has no balance should ease somewhat the public relations
task of the manager. For example, it should become easier to
convince advocacy groups that once control is restored to nature
a given landscape will not necessarily develop in a predictable
manner toward a desired form.
In any case, management will continue to need support from
=search and ~JI particular the type that assists efforts to evaluate
numerous criteria simultaneously. Some variables may be
derived from economic concerns while others stem from
socio-political issues. Added to these of course is the
fundamental issue of asking the right questions to address
silvicultural and ecological concerns. In solving problems, the
manager may have to examine issues at different scales, as
discussed more fully by Allen and Hoekstra (1992). For
example, some decisions might be considered at the plant
community level. Others might be addressed at the scale of the
ecosystem, landscape or management unit.
Time scales are equally important. One assumption might be
that nature changes but very slowly as suggested by geological
processes or biological evolution Reality now appears to be that
some changes can occur more swiftly than previously thought
and managers can benefit when research provides them more
reliable estimates of rates of change. Dr. Julio Betancourt's
presentation earlier today was ~ c u l a r l yimpressive in the
sense that it shows how rapidly tree populations can expand
their geographic range. His work strengthens the view that nature
is, at times, subject to swift changes depending on the factors
present in a given situation. Most importantly, his work
demonstrates how revised rates of change can generate a new
list of questions.
Regardless of scale, managers must be provided sufficient
information to satis@ the criteria considered in arriving at
management decisions. At present, our knowledge of woodlands
falls well short of enabling us to meet management criteria, as
can be supported by referencing individuals highly respected for
their comprehensive knowledge of the woodland resource. In
1986, Dick Basset (1987), for example, reviewed the advantages
and disadvantages of even and uneven-aged silvicultural systems
while drawing attention to the fact that woodlands have m l y
been managed according to silvicultural principles. He
concluded that in practice no single system is best for all
situations and that more research is needed to test even and
uneven-aged silvicultural systems. Milo Larson (1987) similarly
identified knowledge voids in discussing the requirements for
modeling P-J management. He recommended establishing the
relationship between tree stocking and responses of grasses and
forb for magor community or habitat types. He also identrfied
the need to establish values for the resources in question The
questions raised by Basset (1987) and Larson (1987) support
the view that there is foundational knowledge to be gained by
establishing long-term P-J research areas in the Southwest. Such
areas would also provide an opportunity to determine how
woodlands really work.
Accepting the view that man's presence on the planet has
altered nature for millennia, it becomes apparent that
management often substitutes for defunct n a d constmints
(Allen and Hoekstra, 1992). Managers, therefore, must know
more than that key factors exist and interact. Informed
judgements, will also require knowledge of the strength and
direction of those connections. Most importantly, it becomes
increasingly critical to know what are the minimum number of
measurable connections that can be used to frame a model
having predictive value.
In summary, woodland management will be served best by
research providing answers to complex problems requiring
evaluation of numerous criteria simultaneously. 'Fhis means the
need for interdisciplinary research will continue to rise. Ako,
we continue to manage P-J in the absence of prescriptions
derived from empirical studies. Studies comparing silvicultud
systems are therefore, needed and, in some cases, should involve
interdisciplinary and long-term efforts to understand how
woodlands really work.
LITERATURE CITED
Allen, T.F.H. and T.W. Hoekstra. 1992. Toward a Unified
Ecology. Columbia Univ. Press, New York.
Bassett, R.L. Silvicultural systems for piiion-juniper, pp.
273 -278. In R.L. Everett (Compiler), ProceedingsPinyon-Juniper Conference, Reno, Nevada, Jan 13-16, 1986.
USDA Forest Service Gen Tech. Rept. INT-215.
Larson, M. A management strategy for wood production from
piiion-juniper, pp. 279-282. In R.E. Everett (Compiler),
Proceedings-Pinyon-JuniperConference, Reno, Nevada, Jan
13-16, 1986. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep.
INT-2 15.
SUSTAINABLE PINONJUNIPER ECOSYSTEMS
OXYMORON OR BLUE-PRINT FOR THE FUTURE
...
John G. Mexal
"We really do not understand pifion-juniper ecosystems
well enough to manage them." - Dr. J. Betancourt,
1993 Pinon Con$
"No one knows what the sociological and ecological
consequences of managing piiion-juniper ecosystems
are. " - Dr. W. deBuys, 1993 Pinon Con$
When one talks of managing the piiion-juniper (P-J)
woodlands, I believe we all envision a long-term, multiple use,
productive ecosystem, in short, a sustainable ecosystem that
includes humans in the equation. In agriculturp;, a sustainable
ecosystem would consist of inputs such as seed, fertilizer, water,
chemicals and labor. The output would be money received from
the sale of a horticultural, forage, fiber, or grain crop which
would allow the ecosystem manager to repeat the cycle. In
,-f
a sustainable ecosystem would have inputs of seed or
seedlings, fertilizer, chemicals, and labor. The output again
would be money generated from the sale of wood and possibly
some grazing rights. These ecosystems are sustainable as long
as the cost of maintaining the ecosystem (inputs) does not exceed
the value received for the products (outputs).
When we envision a P-J ecosystem, we see few inputs but
many outputs (Figure 1). Some of the outputs or products are
commensurable meaning we can attach value to them and
determine the level of inputs needed to make a sustainable
ecosystem. Other products are non-commensurable. These
products are difEcult to value, and thus, may be difficult to
sustain given our current level of knowledge. It is also difficult
to determine trade+ffs between a commensurable commodity
such as forage, and a noncommensumble commodity such as
scenic beauty.
The area in each quadrant is different, however. This assumption
may be invalid. A loss of net productivity may accompany such
shifts in product mix.
The second approach to management would be an ~conomk
management system (Figure 2b). This approach would manage
the outputs which gave the greatest return on investment
(inputs). It is likely, the major commodities would be forage and
fiber. Forage would be managed for grazing and encroachment
by trees would be regulated by fuelwood harvest. Inputs would
tend to be low because the valuation of these two products is
low. However, the system would be sustainable and marginally
profitable.
A. Custodial
Trees & Nuts
.
Recreation
Foraae -3
Recreation
6. Economic
y
w
scenic
I
Time 1
Trees & Nuts
Commensurables
Trees & Nuts
wildlife
I UUubLa
\
Time 2
Tirtie 1
Time 2
Trees & Nuts
Non-commensurables
-
Figure 1.
The P J ecosystem is a source of many commodities
which have both direct (solid) and indirect (dashed)
interactions.
There are several approaches to managing a P-J ecosystem
The first approach, which is easiest, is a custodial management
system (Figure 2a). This management approach assumes we
make no inputs to the ecosystem, and remove the outputs as
needed. These are usually commensurable outputs. This
approach is disastrous. Using this approach, we have seen the
encroachment of shrub or tree species into grasslands, the
conversion of P-J to grassland and, often, a loss of
noncommensurable commodities. In the figure illustrated, the
primary output has been forage. This scenario depicts a lose of
forage productivity with a concomitant increase in fiber
production There is also a loss in recreation habitat and
horticultuml products (nuts and landscape trees). For the sake
of simplicity, this scenario assumes no net loss of productivity.
That is, the lefi-Rand and right-hand shapes are the same size.
Recreation
Recreation
C. Economic-Ecoloaical
Time 1
Trees 8 Nuts
Recreation
Figure 2.
Time 2
Trees & Nuts
Recreation
- Idealized examples of PJ ecosystem management.
The third approach would be an economicecolo~id
approach to management (Figure 2c). This approach would
manage the entire ecosystem; taking into consideration both
commensurable and noncommensurable outputs. Under this
scenario, it is possible the P-J woodlands would become more
open with greater shrub and herbaceous cover. This would
benefit both livestock and wildhfe. Larger tree size would
increase nut production Christmas tree and live tree production
would decline, but availability of these outputs exceeds demand
by perhaps one thousand fold under custodial management.
Recreation and scenic values would increase.
Theoretically, the third approach provides a win-win
situation. The P-J woodlands are profitable, sustainable, and
enjoyable. In practical terms, it is difficult to institute this
management system on an ecosystem as fragile and complex
as the P-J woodlands. We lack data on the interactions among
the many components of the ecosystem. We lack long-term
databases on ecosystem functions, and we lack research sites
to test hypotheses and the impact of perturbations. The P-J
woodlands will always be an ecosystem in peril until
researchers have the resources to develop an understanding
of this important facet of our landscape.