Browsing by Author "Wu, Cuiyin"
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Item Dead Wood Is Not Dead: The Ecological Functions and Management of Dead Wood(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Wu, Cuiyin; Johnson, LeaCitizens find it hard to appreciate the ecological qualities of an unorganized forest landscape because they prefer a neat and orderly appearance even though it may not offer ecological benefits (Tyrväinen et al 2013). Lifeless downed wood or logs give the impression of untidiness and chaos. What the public should understand is the importance of dead wood, rather than basing their preferences on the social norm of aesthetic scenery, and beauty (Nassauer 1995). A lack of education causes misconceptions, for example, that a healthy forest cannot have dead wood (Tyrväinen et al 2013). People believe that dead trees are useless, and in fact detrimental forests (Dudley and Vallauri 2004). It is imperative to address the ecological functions of dead wood, which are not always clear even to educated eyes (Nassauer 1995; Stokland et al. 2012). This paper provides an overview of the definition of dead wood, the ecological benefits of dead wood to forests and woodlands, dead wood management methods, and dead wood management techniques for urban land managers.Item MARYLAND RESIDENTIAL FIREWOOD/WOOD PELLET UTILIZATION ANALYSIS: A SURVEY TO DETERMINE LOCAL INTEREST AND ASSESS CURRENT AND FUTURE MARKET POTENTIAL(2017) Wu, Cuiyin; Tjaden, Bob; Environmental Science and Technology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)In order to help the forest industry to revitalize from the 2008 economic recession, this research studied the market potential of firewood and wood pellets as a home heating source. Questionnaires were mailed to 7,000 single family homeowners in rural and suburban Maryland, and 1,184 responses were received (19% response rate). It is estimated that 256,419 cords of firewood and 81,863 tons of wood pellets were burned statewide in the heating season of 2015-2016. The aesthetic value of wood heating is the major motivation; work and mess is the principal barrier. The average volume of wood consumed annually per household is 1.8 cords of firewood or 1.9 tons of wood pellets. The average prices of wood consumed are $192 per cord for firewood and $266 per ton for wood pellets. The threshold prices of electricity, natural gas, oil, and propane for homeowners to switch to wood heating are estimated. Few homeowners know about Maryland Energy Administration’s Clean Burning Wood Stove Grant Program.