Improving long-term forest ecology research for the 21st century

Changes in scientific views, approaches, and the public's environmental con cerns have broadened the foci of silvicultural research from individuals in stands to these plus other interacting components at broader temporal and spatial scales. Present studies have benefited from increasing interdiscipl inary ecological study; however, even the most interdisciplinary research a nd management could be improved by (1) moving beyond public comment to inco rporating the public's environmental concerns into experimental and managem ent designs; (2) being conducted at scales (time and space) that are approp riate to ecosystem components of greatest concern; (3) encouraging research ers and managers to test their knowledge using landscape-level forest veget ation management and checking predictions using sufficient monitoring; and (4) recognizing that within-study integration will require identifying stud y-appropriate integrative currencies.