Optimal vegetation management under multiple-use objectives in the Cross Timbers

Abstract

The relatively low productivity of the herbaceous stratum of the oak-hickory forests of North America has prompted land managers to evaluate alternative means of increasing large herbivore production. A mathematical programming model was developed to evaluate alternative vegetation management programs for large herbivore production in the Cross Timbers Region of the Ozark Plateaus. The optimization determined the combination of livestock enterprises, lease-hunting enterprises, and vegetation management practices that maximized discounted net returns over a 15-year period. Results indicated that by integrating both herbicides and prescribed fire into vegetation management programs, sufficient herbivory can be sustained to support an economically viable level of livestock production. Vegetation management programs derived under multiple-enterprise objectives differ significantly from those in conjunction with a single enterprise. Economic returns from cattle production are maximized by applying herbicides that induce large increases in grass production, and thus, allow for significant expansion of the cattle enterprise. Under multiple-enterprise objectives, 2 herbicides and prescribed burning may be integrated effectively to sustain sufficient production of grasses, forbs, and browse to support expanded cattle, Angora goat, and white-tailed deer populations. Economic returns from the land resource can be increased approximately 46% as a result of employing multiple-enterprise management objectives.