Landowner decision-making cycle
About 60% of forestland in the United States is owned by non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners, including individuals, tribes, partnerships and corporations that are not involved in the forest industry (Smith et al., 2001). Most NIPF owners hold relatively small tracts of land, however their land collectively provides important public benefits, including wood fiber, recreation opportunities, and various ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, watershed protection, and biodiversity conservation. Although an individual owner’s action may not significantly affect the forest ecosystem, many owners’ actions across the landscape and over time may together shape the future of the nation’s forest, as well as the public benefits it provides. Considering the large number of NIPF owners and the importance of their independent and uncoordinated actions, three interconnected questions arise: 1) what are the major forest or land management decisions facing NIPF owners; 2) how often decisions are made and actions are taken; and 3) what factors affect the decision making process. The existing literature, although informative, does not provide answers to these questions. Therefore, it is the purpose of this paper to update a conceptual model suggested by Kittredge in 2004 in an effort to better describe and explain NIPF owner decision making process. Results from empirical testing of the conceptual model are presented. Several factors are identified concerning ownership characteristics and objectives that may influence landowners’ decisions. This paper concludes with a discussion of additional efforts needed for further testing the conceptual model and strengthening the understanding of NIPF owner decision cycle.
References
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Kittredge, D.B. 2004. Extension/outreach implications for America’s family forest owners. Journal of Forestry 102(7): 15-18.
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Smith, W.B., J.S. Vissage, D.R. Darr, and R.M. Sheffield. 2001. Forest Resources of the United States, 1997. Gen. Tech. Rept. NC-219. USDA Forest Serv., North Central Research Station, St. Paul, MN. 190 pp.
