AN EXPERT-SYSTEM FOR FOREST NURSERY MANAGEMENT

In addition to silvicultural practices such as appropriate site prepar ation, technique and time of planting, choice of species, soil type an d so on, quantity and quality of seedlings are two important factors f or successful reforesting of cut-over areas, especially those that hav e been clear-cut. The controlled environment of an indoor container tr ee seedling nursery ensures reliable production of large quantities of high-quality seedlings. Propagation of quality seedlings in the numbe rs required needs intensive planning. Past information available from nursery records and knowledge accumulated through personal experiences play a vital role in the planning stages. We developed an interactive multimedia computer program that captures and integrates both documen ted and undocumented knowledge about forest nursery management. The pr ogram focuses on planning and implementing growing regimes that produc e tree species common to the Inland Northwest-such as ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, western larch, western white pine,,grand fir, Norway spru ce, and western redcedar-in a single growing season. The program can b e used as a teaching/training tool by students and novice technicians engaged in nursery management. It can also serve as an advisor for man agers and technicians during the planning stages of a growing season.