Forest Calendars: 1996 Editorial

An Opportunity For
Ecologically and Economically
Sustained Forests

Professor Chadwick D. Oliver, Ph.D.

Near the end of the 20th century, the United States has an opportunity to sustain its forests in an economically and ecologically sound condition while contributing strongly to local employment and the global environment. Many other countries are in similar positions; together, the impact on human well being and the environment could be substantial. The opportunity is because of a unique convergence of the condition of our forests, knowledge, technology, and motivation. The opportunity can be realized by an approach which at first seems counterintuitive, but increasing research shows the results can be positive in all ways--more economic and ecological viability. The approach is robust. It avoids the unnecessary, counterproductive polarization between those wanting biodiversity and those wanting private property rights.

The forest resources in the U.S. are presently plentiful. Trees are generally smaller than they have been, but there is more timber volume standing in forests than at any time in the past 50 years. The forests are generally thicker and contain smaller overcrowded trees. Despite a 50% increase in the U.S. population since 1950, the forest area has remained essentially stable. These forests support some wildlife species, but their overcrowding often does not allow species which need either "old-growth" or "open" structures. At the same time, the increased road system makes the forest more accessible for management than ever. The economic infrastructure is highly developed, and the economy is robust, so the forest lands are not in demand for subsistence agriculture.

People are now faced with choices of how to manage the forests--by solely maximizing commodity production, by managing jointly for ecological and commodity values, or by setting them aside as preserves. Managing solely for commodities or trying to preserve forests separates people from the forests by excluding people and their values. "Preserving" some areas puts more demands on non-"preserved" forests elsewhere or increases the demand for substitute steel, concrete, and other fossil fuel-intensive products. People are beginning to be aware that forests are dynamic. Both growth and disturbances are needed to maintain habitats for all species. Each condition of the forest is needed by some species--from "openings" immediately after a large disturbance to "old-growth" when a forest has grown a long time without a stand-replacing disturbance. If forests are not managed they will grow and be destroyed by natural catastrophes in a way which may not ensure that habitats for all species are maintained--and certainly the commodities can not be obtained.

The technology exists to manage forests jointly for commodities such as timber and non-commodities such as all species. Analytical and communication systems exist to monitor forests, so we can predict if, when and where they are susceptible to disturbances decades beforehand--or when, where and how they will be suitable for various wildlife species and commodity products. The forests can then be modified to achieve desirable conditions and avoid undesirable ones. The transportation infrastructure and equipment exists to manage the forests to ensure it remains healthy and provides the diversity of habitats for all creatures.

There is also the motivation to manage the forests to maintain all values. If not managed, millions of forested acres will burn up in the next few decades--to the detriment of wildlife, commodities, and other values for our children and grandchildren. These products from the forests can reduce the world's consumption of more fossil fuel-consuming substitute products. Management will also ensure all habitats are maintained so species do not become extinct and will provide healthy, profitable jobs.

How can we realize the environmental opportunity given by our forefathers and pass it on to our children and grandchildren? We can manage the forests for commodity and non-commodity values at the same time. We can avoid the extremes of managing solely for commodity products or reserving large forest areas so no management is done. Managing solely for commodities does not provide habitats for all species, nor does it always provide the greatest volume or highest quality products--nor the greatest employment. Locking up the forests also does not ensure habitats for all species, leads to unemployment, and shifts demand for commodities elsewhere.

We can use such silvicultural techniques as thinning, selective harvesting, clearcutting, pruning, and planting, to mimic, avoid and recover from natural disturbances--but at times and places across the landscape which ensures all habitats are maintained and human life and property are not destroyed. We can thin out many of the small tress in overcrowded stands to prevent insect and wildfires, to allow the remaining trees to grow to large, high quality trees, and to allow small plants to grow on the forest floor for use by wildlife. The activities will extract small trees for processing and provide employment while growing large, high quality timber for future use. We can selectively harvest other stands to create "old-growth" structures where they do not already exist. We can clear-cut other areas to provide openings for species needing these habitats. We can burn some areas with controlled fires after harvesting to sustain fire-dependent habitats. We can create snags where needed for habitats. As the forests grows, continued management can ensure these, too, provide the desired habitats and commodities into the future. This approach--a landscape management approach--involves more intensive management, more employment, and a wider variety of silvicultural operations than we have done before--but it is technically possible. Above all, we need to regard forests differently.

Historically, we have expected timber to pay for all values. Timber can help, but we are asking forests to provide more. We could encourage landowners also to provide such public values as biodiversity through incentives. Costs of the incentives will be returned to the public through the greater economic activity generated by more management.