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Sustaining Healthy Forests Using Natural Models to Guide Management

Sustaining Healthy Forests Using Natural Models to Guide Management. - A Context -The issue - Needs. Dr. Brian Palik USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. C enter for R esearch on E cosystem C hange. A Nation’s Forests. Economic Importance: Indiana (for example)

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Sustaining Healthy Forests Using Natural Models to Guide Management

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  1. Sustaining Healthy Forests Using Natural Models to Guide Management - A Context -The issue - Needs Dr. Brian Palik USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station Center for Research on Ecosystem Change

  2. A Nation’s Forests • Economic Importance: Indiana (for example) • -$9 billion annually contribution to the economy • -$1 billion annually from forest-based recreation/tourism • -$175 million from the sale of trees • -$25 million from the sale of associated forest products • -$1.4 billion annually from forest-based manufacturing • -$8 billion value of shipments from forest-based manufacturing • -54,000 jobs Indiana USA Total: 7.49 million ac (33%) USA Contiguous: 6.24 million ac (33%) Area

  3. Forest Management: Historically (post WWII) Production forests -wood and fiber -watershed protection -wildlife (mostly game) -recreation Agricultural Model: single species focus, energy subsidies Conservation forests -habitat (coarse filter) -wildlife (more than game) Reserves: national parks, wilderness areas, etc.

  4. Landscape Allocation Reserve Reserve Production Forest (Agricultural Model) Reserve Reserve Ecosystem science tells us that: • -This dichotomy is not sufficient to meet biodiversity and conservation objectives broadly • -The condition of the “matrix” is important for sustaining many species (biodiversity) • -Managing for biodiversity across more of the landscape is important for sustaining • healthy forests and their services: e.g., storing carbon, • resisting invasive species, • adapting to climate change, • growing diverse wood products

  5. Intensive Production Intensive Production Intensive Production Intensive Production The Greening of Forestry: Management Based on Natural Models Agricultural Model Reserve Premise: Understanding how forests work here (natural forests)….. results in guides for healthier, more sustainable forests here (managed forests) “Ecological Forestry” Reserve Reserve Objectives -traditional services -native biodiversity -ecosystem health -ecosystem sustainability -aesthetics/spiritual -adaptability The agricultural model is used in select places on the landscape Reserve

  6. A Cartoon Example Young forest after natural disturbance Young forest after harvest (agricultural model) Mature Forest This forest has: -greater diversity of habitats & species -greater capacity to store carbon -enhanced resistance to invasive & pests -greater diversity of timber species -increased options for the future Young forest after harvest (natural model)

  7. Evidence for adoption of natural models forestry? Forest Certification (particularly FSC): many sustainability indicators are based on natural forest processes National Forest Management Plans: the next generation all speak to restoring and managing based on elements of natural models US Forest Service is a leader in this transformation, but partnerships are crucial! Needs: Fundamental ecosystem research: comprehensive understanding still lacking for many types of forests The economics of ecological forestry: costs/benefits relative to traditional forestry, the value of ecological services Landscape-scale conservation: diverse ownerships working together Dr. Brian Palik USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station Center for Research on Ecosystem Change

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