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Management for Healthy Forests
Fern Graves
Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator RI DEM, Division of Forest Environment
Harvard Forest, Harvard University
Management for Healthy Forests Fern Graves Forest Stewardship - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Management for Healthy Forests Fern Graves Forest Stewardship - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Management for Healthy Forests Fern Graves Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator RI DEM, Division of Forest Environment Harvard Forest, Harvard University The Importance of Forests Soil quality Water quality Crucial habitat The
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The Importance of Forests
- Soil quality
- Water quality
- Crucial habitat
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The Threat of Suburbia
- Human tendency to move outward
- Need for energy
- Ecosystem fragmentation
- Impervious surfaces
- Soil disturbance
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Brandeis University CT Post Science 360 News Boston Globe
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Living in the Anthropocene
- (Anthro-pocene) Human-age
- Human actions shape most natural ecosystems
How do we promote forest health in an the age of humans?
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Forest Management
- Passive management
- Relying on natural processes
- ACTIVE management
- Identifying crucial ecosystem services
- Mimicking natural processes
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Active Forest Management
USDA USDA USDA
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The Forest Management Plan
- Based on objectives
- Timber production
- Wildlife
- Recreation
- Forest health
- Current condition of forest resources
- Prescriptions to meet objectives
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Managing for Forest Health
- Vigorously growing trees
- Height and growth habit
- Robust crown foliage
- Native vegetation
- Low instance of disease and harmful insects
- Presence of beneficial insects
- Density and stand structure
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A forest that is capable of sustaining its native species composition and ecosystem services. Dogmeat.
Managing for Forest Health
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- Eradicate invasive species
- Use silvics to understand forest species
- Promote native wildlife
- Be aware of new insect and disease threats
- Monitor results
Actively Managing for Forest Health
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Invasive Species
- Early colonizers
- Grow in monoculture
- Nutritionally poor
- Difficult to eradicate
University of California, Berkeley
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Using Silvics to Manage Forests
Silvics: ecological characteristics of tree species
USDA- USFS USDA- USFS
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The Missoulan
Forest Health and Wildlife
- High-quality habitat and forage
- Mammals & birds
- Reptiles & amphibians
- Insects (including pollinators!)
Virginia Herpetological Society Native Bees of New England
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Insects & Diseases
UNH Extension USDA - APHIS The New York Times
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Beneficial Insects
USDA-USFS USDA-USFS NC State Extension USDA-NRCS
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WikiMedia Commons