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In the southern United States (US), female forest landowners (FeFLs) constitute 27% of family forest landowners, owning approximately 12.1 million ha of forestland. With changing demographic trends, FeFLs will likely own more forestlands in the foreseeable future. Understanding FeFLs' perceptions of ecosystem services (ESs) is vital as their management decisions will impact the flow of forest-based ESs. Our study used a mental model approach to comprehensively understand FeFLs' socio-cultural perceptions of ESs. Interviews with 39 FeFLs in Georgia, US, highlighted diverse perceptions of forest-based ESs encompassing cultural, provisioning, regulating, and supporting services. The FeFLs' mental model revealed five thematic areas on ESs perceptions: economics, personal enjoyment, family and heritage, forestland as a place for social activity, and environmental benefits. The economics theme emerged distinctly regardless of their ownership type or forestland proximity, whereas personal enjoyment, family and heritage, and forestland as a place for social activity demonstrated place attachment. Co-owners linked forest management more closely to economics than sole-owners. Residential FeFLs valued social benefits, while non-residential landowners emphasized biodiversity significance. Our findings provide crucial insights for shaping inclusive strategies and policies, enhancing forest management among FeFLs, fostering a sense of community, and ensuring the sustainability of forestlands in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the efficiency of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) production under roundwood and carbon price risks. The data are generated from the biophysical–economic optimization model, consisting of the loblolly pine growth and yield model in Georgia, United States, combined with a stochastic economic model. The model incorporates the timber and carbon price risk parameters and generates the optimal biomass volumes and the associated harvest profits for 56 scenarios given different silvicultural treatments and price risks. Timber production efficiencies under each scenario are evaluated using the data envelopment analysis. This study also assesses potential economic losses due to inefficient forest production. The result shows that forest landowners with lower risk tolerance have a higher profit foregone. Inefficient forest management could cause up to $319/ha and $405/ha of potential economic losses under herbicide and fertilizer treatment scenarios, respectively. As timber-related price risks can influence forest landowners' decisions, the findings of this study incorporating different risks would help forestry professionals and policymakers to establish a more realistic and greater degree of accuracy in the forest productivity evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic analyses of forest management options can help landowners make informed decisions. However, landowners make decisions in complex and nuanced ways that transcend economics. The history and legal status of their land, their emotional connections to it, their access to knowledge and capital, and their broader objectives are vital elements in their decision-making processes. We present case studies of four Black landowners in Georgia through a combination of economic analyses that compare their current revenue with potential increased revenue through active forest management and qualitative interviews that provide context for past management decisions and insights into why active forest management may – or may – not prove to be their ultimate goal. Together these two types of analysis present a range of goals and management options that consider both economic and non-economic valuations of forested lands, which can inform extension and outreach strategies for increasing engagement of Black landowners in sustainable forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests offer critical social, economic, and ecological benefits. As fifty‐five percent of Georgia's forests are family‐owned, management decisions of these forest landowners have a considerable impact on the state's environment and beyond. So far, little is known about what drives the conservation intentions of forest landowners and how these drivers vary by gender. However, several studies outside the field of forestry have theorized that place attachment predicts pro‐environmental views and behaviors. To test this theory, we surveyed 1,143 family forest landowners in Georgia. Our results show that male landowners report stronger attachments to their forest, except for continuing family legacies which is of greater importance for female landowners. Regression models show that all dimensions of place attachments (dependence, identity, satisfaction, and family legacy) are strong predictors for conservation intentions in males. In contrast, the level of education and only a few dimensions (satisfaction and, to a lesser extent, dependence) of place attachment predict conservation intentions in females. As gender demographics in forest landowners are shifting and environmental degradation is an increasingly pressing concern, this study provides important insights and offers directions for further research for policymakers, researchers, and extension agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests owned by individuals and family landowners account for about two-thirds of Georgia's private forests. This study provides a snapshot of the status and trend of forest management practices of Georgia family forest landowners and the unit costs associated with significant management activities through a survey of the consulting foresters practicing in the state. Family forest landowners increasingly managed pines intensively with various management regimes. Hardwood and mixed forests accounted for more than half of Georgia's private forests, but they were mainly managed in a custodial manner. Besides receiving revenue from timber sales, many landowners in Georgia received additional income from hunting leases and selling pine straw. The results have important implications for the financial returns of timber investment and the long-term timber supply of the state. It also provides essential information to county assessors for fair and equitable timberland valuation for property tax purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the number of female forest landowners (FFLs) in the United States continues to rise, there is an increasing need to understand the perceptions of stakeholder groups about opportunities and challenges faced by FFLs in the context of sustainable forestland management. This study utilizes the technique of SWOT-AHP (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Treats—Analytical Hierarchy Process) to understand the perceptions of four stakeholder groups (FFLs, private foresters, government representatives, and non-profits) in Georgia–a significant forestry state located in the Southern United States. Sixteen factors (four under each SWOT category) were selected through a comprehensive literature review and detailed interviews with individuals from the identified stakeholder groups. A survey was created using these factors that asked stakeholders to compare them in their respective SWOT categories. An additional survey was created for each stakeholder group where survey participants compared the highest-ranking factors in each SWOT category. We found that all stakeholder groups prioritized weaknesses over the other SWOT categories. Results showed a significant need for relevant educational outreach programs that cater specifically to FFLs. Additionally, researchers found a need to promote the interest of future generations in forestland management as all stakeholder groups felt that limited interest from future generations was the most important threat. This study will directly feed into regional, national, and international attempts to increase the participation of minority family forest landowners in sustainable forest management through integrated forest policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has found that the manner in which forests are managed reveals forest owners' goals and management preferences for their properties. In this study, we attempt to predict forest owners' participation in payments for ecosystem services (PES) programs using observable forest management in southeast Georgia, U.S. For this task, we rely on forest property characteristics identified from publicly available aerial images and databases. We examine whether and how forest property characteristics are related to family forest owners' preferences towards PES programs. The results from a random parameter logit model indicate that forest owners in southeast Georgia with planted pine forests, bottomland hardwood forests, or residential structures are more likely to participate in hypothetical PES programs. The results also indicate that forest owners' willingness to accept compensation to participate in PES programs is negatively related to the proportion of planted pine and bottomland hardwood forest areas, and to the existence of a residential structure on one's property. Findings of our study indicate the potential of revealed forest property characteristics in identifying and targeting PES programs. • Forest ownership objectives are revealed by observed forest management • Forest property characteristics are used to estimate forest owners' preferences for PES contracts • The presence of certain forest types and residential structures on forest properties can reveal the owners' willingness to participate in PES programs and the amount of compensation required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study uses open-ended responses from ninety-four female forest landowners in Georgia, United States, to analyze their unique experiences with forest landownership. By focusing on the most frequently mentioned themes – forest management and income, family legacy, and conservation - we expose a broad range of female forest landowners' experiences. Acknowledging that these three themes might be relevant to any forest landowner and age group, we draw a typology based on life-course junctures to show that the focus on specific aspects of their forest landownership shifts with age. We conceptualized three age-based typologies of female forest landowners: (1) pre-retirement (<65) female forest landowners who mainly focused on forest management and generating additional forest-based income; (2) post-retirement (65–74) female forest landowners who shift their attention to family connections and legacy planning; and (3) elderly (>75) female forest landowners who focus more on forest conservation. We also show that the interests of male forest landowners differ substantially from female forest landowners, whose interests consistently centered around forest management topics such as maintenance, timber harvest, and taxation throughout their life-course. Our findings offer important insights into female forest landowners in the southern United States. • Life-course analysis shows that the priorities over female forest landowners vary depending on their age. • Pre-retirement (<65) female forest landowners focus mostly on forest management and generating forest-based income. • Post-retirement (65–74) female forest landowners shift their attention to legacy planning. • Elderly (>75) female forest landowners focus most on forest conservation. • Compared to females, males are considerably more likely to report experiences related to forest management and income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]