resilient forests steven w. koehn, director / state forester maryland dnr forest service...
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Resilient Resilient ForestsForestsResilient Resilient ForestsForests
Steven W. Koehn, Director / State ForesterSteven W. Koehn, Director / State ForesterMaryland DNR Forest ServiceMaryland DNR Forest Service
Governor’s Commission on Sustainable ForestryGovernor’s Commission on Sustainable ForestryAnnapolis, MDAnnapolis, MDJuly 20, 2005July 20, 2005
Managing for Productivity, Health, Managing for Productivity, Health, and Resilience in the Face of and Resilience in the Face of
Pervasive ChangePervasive Change
What We’ll CoverWhat We’ll Cover
State Forester’s vision for forestsState Forester’s vision for forests
Forest valuesForest values
American forests in a global contextAmerican forests in a global context
Sustainability and forestsSustainability and forests
Different roles for different forestsDifferent roles for different forests
The work aheadThe work ahead
The “Whole Forest” ViewThe “Whole Forest” View
All Forests:All Forests: fromfrom urban forests and tree farms to parks and urban forests and tree farms to parks and
wildernesswilderness
All Forest Products:All Forest Products: fromfrom wood and water to wild wood and water to wild things things
and wild places and wild places
All Forest Practices:All Forest Practices: from preservation and protection to from preservation and protection to
restoration and productionrestoration and production
All ForestAll Forest Uses:Uses: fromfrom recreation and learning to jobs and recreation and learning to jobs and
economic vitalityeconomic vitality
All Forest Values:All Forest Values: fromfrom carbon stores and spiritual retreats carbon stores and spiritual retreats
to sources of life and cultural heritage to sources of life and cultural heritage
SF Vision for Forests …SF Vision for Forests …
Sustain and enrich human well being through Sustain and enrich human well being through
diverse values, uses, products and services;diverse values, uses, products and services;
Managed and conserved to meet changing Managed and conserved to meet changing
needs based on local knowledge plus ever-needs based on local knowledge plus ever-
improving science and technologies;improving science and technologies;
Serve current and future generations in Serve current and future generations in
sustaining our communities and rich cultural sustaining our communities and rich cultural
heritage.heritage.
Forests that …Forests that …
Deliver high quality waterDeliver high quality water Sustainably meet domestic needs for forest-based Sustainably meet domestic needs for forest-based
resourcesresources Reward owners/stewards with multiple benefitsReward owners/stewards with multiple benefits Perpetuate biological and cultural diversityPerpetuate biological and cultural diversity Ameliorate impacts of human activitiesAmeliorate impacts of human activities Grow in extent, productivity, resilienceGrow in extent, productivity, resilience Are managed for distinct local capabilities & values Are managed for distinct local capabilities & values Restore human spirit and stewardship ethicRestore human spirit and stewardship ethic Bring people together for common purposeBring people together for common purpose
Lands of Many ValuesLands of Many Values
State Forester’s vision for forestsState Forester’s vision for forests
Forest valuesForest values
American forests in a global contextAmerican forests in a global context
Sustainability and forestsSustainability and forests
Different roles for different forestsDifferent roles for different forests
The work aheadThe work ahead
Forests are Sources of Forests are Sources of LifeLife
1.1. Clean water and airClean water and air2.2. Abundant fish and wildlifeAbundant fish and wildlife3.3. Cultural heritageCultural heritage4.4. Climate and carbonClimate and carbon5.5. Recreation and aestheticsRecreation and aesthetics6.6. Wood and fiberWood and fiber7.7. Non-wood forest productsNon-wood forest products8.8. Jobs and personal identityJobs and personal identity9.9. Wealth and revenuesWealth and revenues
Global Forest ContextGlobal Forest Context
State Forester’s vision for forestsState Forester’s vision for forests
Forest valuesForest values
American forests in a global contextAmerican forests in a global context
Sustainability and forestsSustainability and forests
Different roles for different forestsDifferent roles for different forests
The work aheadThe work ahead
Global Forces = ChangeGlobal Forces = Change
Population growth: 6.3 Bil. in 2003 to ~ 8 Bil. in 2050Population growth: 6.3 Bil. in 2003 to ~ 8 Bil. in 2050 Technology breakthroughs: steady advances + surprisesTechnology breakthroughs: steady advances + surprises Political instability: local to global, ballot measures to warsPolitical instability: local to global, ballot measures to wars Trade issues: barriers/subsidies, free vs fairTrade issues: barriers/subsidies, free vs fair Restructuring in forest sector: global integration, dynamics Restructuring in forest sector: global integration, dynamics
in timberland ownership, ag-land afforestationin timberland ownership, ag-land afforestation Widening rich-poor gap: happening everywhereWidening rich-poor gap: happening everywhere Raising of “green” consciousness: more than air/waterRaising of “green” consciousness: more than air/water Consumption growth: space, water, fossil fuels, food, wood, Consumption growth: space, water, fossil fuels, food, wood,
mineralsminerals Climate change: yes but variable, uncertain regional effectsClimate change: yes but variable, uncertain regional effects Non-native invasive species + explosive nativesNon-native invasive species + explosive natives
Pervasive ChangePervasive Change
Need for continual learning and adaptation
Forest area:Forest area: ~ 9.6 Billion ac; 50-66% loss since 1600 AD ~ 9.6 Billion ac; 50-66% loss since 1600 AD
Forest loss:Forest loss: ~ 23 Million ac/yr in 1990s ~ 23 Million ac/yr in 1990s
Population + Economic Growth = Forest LossPopulation + Economic Growth = Forest Loss But not always: - 30 mil ac/yr in tropics, But not always: - 30 mil ac/yr in tropics, + 7 mil ac/yr+ 7 mil ac/yr in non-tropics in non-tropics
DemandsDemands for forest benefits ever growing for forest benefits ever growing Water quality, quantity: biggest future forest issueWater quality, quantity: biggest future forest issue
Wood use: range = flat near term to < 0.5%/yr long termWood use: range = flat near term to < 0.5%/yr long term
Biodiversity conservation: yes but public still bewildered after 20 yearsBiodiversity conservation: yes but public still bewildered after 20 years
Carbon storage: how much, trees + products, market uncertaintyCarbon storage: how much, trees + products, market uncertainty
Recreation, subsistence, cultural uses: highly variable by ownershipRecreation, subsistence, cultural uses: highly variable by ownership
Global Forest TrendsGlobal Forest Trends
Some Global LeadersSome Global Leaders
32
30
30
22
24
27
23
22
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Solid Wood Exports = Canada
Solid Wood Imports = US
Solid Wood Used = US
Solid Wood Produced = US
Plantation Forests = China
Wood Biomass = Brazil
Wood Volume = Russia
Forest Area = Russia
Percent of World SharePercent of World ShareUN FAO 2005: 2000, 2002 dataUN FAO 2005: 2000, 2002 data
Global Plantation Global Plantation ForestsForests
42
24
5.6
4.7
0 10 20 30 40 50
India + China
Russia + US + Japan
Brazil + Chile + NZ + SA + Australia
EU
Percent of World SharePercent of World ShareUN FAO 2005: 2000 dataUN FAO 2005: 2000 data
Ind. wood use rose 40% since 1960: ~ 1.6 BMInd. wood use rose 40% since 1960: ~ 1.6 BM3 3 but flat over last 20but flat over last 20 Fuel wood use > industrial wood use: ~ 1.8 BMFuel wood use > industrial wood use: ~ 1.8 BM3 3 and growingand growing Ind. wood use could increase < 33% by 2050: from 1.6 - 2.1 BMInd. wood use could increase < 33% by 2050: from 1.6 - 2.1 BM33
~ 75% of global wood and fiber will come from planted forests by ~ 75% of global wood and fiber will come from planted forests by mid mid century or earlier (Sedjo and others)century or earlier (Sedjo and others) ~ 31% of global solid wood consumption crosses an international ~ 31% of global solid wood consumption crosses an international boundary from tree to product; most likely to increaseboundary from tree to product; most likely to increase US imports 30% of solid wood products consumed; exports US imports 30% of solid wood products consumed; exports associated associated jobs & impacts (81% growth since 1991)jobs & impacts (81% growth since 1991) US uses 30% of world’s solid wood products; largest per capitaUS uses 30% of world’s solid wood products; largest per capita US forest and wood choices drive global wood marketUS forest and wood choices drive global wood marketUN FAO 2005: 2002 data + Perez-Garcia on future demandUN FAO 2005: 2002 data + Perez-Garcia on future demand
Global & U.S. Wood Global & U.S. Wood UseUse
US in Global ContextUS in Global Context
30
30
8
8.6
9
5.8
7
4.7
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Solid Wood Imported
Solid Wood Used
Wood Volume in Forests
Plantion Forests
Reserve Forest
Forest Land
Land
People
Percent of World Share (UN FAO 2005: 2000, 2003 data)Percent of World Share (UN FAO 2005: 2000, 2003 data)
SustainabilitySustainability
State Forester’s vision for forestsState Forester’s vision for forests
Forest valuesForest values
American forests in a global contextAmerican forests in a global context
Sustainability and forestsSustainability and forests
Different roles for different forestsDifferent roles for different forests
The work aheadThe work ahead
SustainabilitySustainability
Balance among environmental, economic Balance among environmental, economic
and cultural aspirationsand cultural aspirations
Equity across societal sectors and Equity across societal sectors and
generationsgenerations
Engagement of people in social choices Engagement of people in social choices
that affect themthat affect them
Adaptability to pervasive changeAdaptability to pervasive change
Sustainable ForestrySustainable Forestry
The suite of policies, plans and practices The suite of policies, plans and practices
that seek to protect, produce, and that seek to protect, produce, and
perpetuate forest ecosystems for the perpetuate forest ecosystems for the
values, uses, products, and services values, uses, products, and services
desired by communities and landowners desired by communities and landowners
for this and future generationsfor this and future generations
NCSSF 2005NCSSF 2005
SustainabilitySustainability
Not possible without continual adaptation to change
Fitting Forest to PurposeFitting Forest to Purpose
State Forester’s vision for forestsState Forester’s vision for forests
Forest valuesForest values
American forests in a global contextAmerican forests in a global context
Sustainability and forestsSustainability and forests
Different roles for different forestsDifferent roles for different forests
The work aheadThe work ahead
Breadth of Sustainable Breadth of Sustainable Forest ManagementForest Management
Sustainable forest management Sustainable forest management
varies by forest type, varies by forest type,
ownership, primary purposeownership, primary purpose
Forest purposes:Forest purposes:
Wood and fiber productionWood and fiber production
Multiple resource values/usesMultiple resource values/uses
Reserves, nature preservationReserves, nature preservation
Urban and community forestsUrban and community forests
Wood Production Wood Production ForestsForests
Most of world’s future wood will Most of world’s future wood will
come from planted forests:come from planted forests: ~ 33% now, ~ 75% by 2050~ 33% now, ~ 75% by 2050 ~ 10% or less of global forest area~ 10% or less of global forest area
Primary purposes: Primary purposes: Grow trees for wood, fiberGrow trees for wood, fiber Increase forest value to ownerIncrease forest value to owner
Management challenges:Management challenges: Thrive in global marketsThrive in global markets Increase wood yield: > 2x over naturalIncrease wood yield: > 2x over natural Reduce environmental impactsReduce environmental impacts Improve wood quality, consistencyImprove wood quality, consistency Produce high return on investmentProduce high return on investment Maintain social license to operateMaintain social license to operate
Who Owns Prod. Forest?Who Owns Prod. Forest?
020406080
100120
NationalForest
OtherPublic
ForestIndustry
FamilyForests
Million Acres by Owner
1 = >120
2 = 85-120
3 = 50-85
4 = 20-50
5 = 0-20
Source: Powell et al. (1993) Tables 5 and 6Source: Powell et al. (1993) Tables 5 and 6
Site Class inFt3/Ac/Yr
Multi-resource ForestsMulti-resource Forests
Most of the world’s Most of the world’s accessibleaccessible forests forests
have multiple resource purposeshave multiple resource purposes ~ 40% of global forest area eventually~ 40% of global forest area eventually
Primary purposes: Primary purposes: Meet diverse landowner objectivesMeet diverse landowner objectives Increase forest value to owner(s)Increase forest value to owner(s)
Challenges:Challenges: Optimize multi-resource outcomesOptimize multi-resource outcomes Produce multiple benefits for acceptable Produce multiple benefits for acceptable
costscosts Differentiate productsDifferentiate products Finance non-market benefitsFinance non-market benefits Finance managementFinance management
Reserve ForestsReserve Forests
Parks, wilderness, natural areas:Parks, wilderness, natural areas: ~ 12% worldwide in 2000~ 12% worldwide in 2000 ~ 50% of global forest area eventually~ 50% of global forest area eventually
Primary purposes:Primary purposes: Sustain at-risk species, natural Sustain at-risk species, natural
processes, “wild” ecosystemsprocesses, “wild” ecosystems Recreation, cultural usesRecreation, cultural uses
Management cManagement challenges:hallenges: Minimize human impactsMinimize human impacts Restore, promote wildness, naturalnessRestore, promote wildness, naturalness Ameliorate effects of invasive species, Ameliorate effects of invasive species,
air pollution, explosive nativesair pollution, explosive natives Achieve goals for least costsAchieve goals for least costs Finance managementFinance management
Urban, Community Urban, Community ForestsForests
Where 80% of the people liveWhere 80% of the people live
Primary purposes:Primary purposes: Attractive communities, neighborhoodsAttractive communities, neighborhoods
Conserve resources: water, energyConserve resources: water, energy
Increase property valuesIncrease property values
Backyard wildlife habitatsBackyard wildlife habitats
Management challenges:Management challenges: Safety, infrastructure impactsSafety, infrastructure impacts
Minimize sprawlMinimize sprawl
Minimize invasive species escapesMinimize invasive species escapes
Reserve ForestsReserve Forests:: Mostly federal, some state, tribal, private
Multi-resource Multi-resource
Forests:Forests: Mostly state, tribal, some family, some federal
Wood Wood
Production Production
ForestsForests:: Mostly industry, family, some state, tribal
Urban, Community Urban, Community
Forests:Forests: Forests where
people live
Social
Ben
efitsEco
nom
ic
Ben
efits
ForestForestSustainabilitySustainability
Environmental Benefits
Ownership MattersOwnership Matters
Wood ProductionWood Production Multi-resourceMulti-resource ReserveReserve
Industry, TIMOIndustry, TIMO
Private, largePrivate, large
Family, NGOFamily, NGO
TribesTribes
StateStateFederalFederal
****
* * Streamside zones, leave trees, habitats as mini or micro reservesStreamside zones, leave trees, habitats as mini or micro reserves
Maryland Forest Maryland Forest OwnersOwners
Industry1%
Farmer10%
Corporate18%
Public20%
Individual51%
Leading the WayLeading the Way
State Forester’s vision for forestsState Forester’s vision for forests
Forest valuesForest values
American forests in a global contextAmerican forests in a global context
Sustainability and forestsSustainability and forests
Different roles for different forestsDifferent roles for different forests
The work aheadThe work ahead
ChallengesChallenges
1.1. Keep forest lands in forest uses for forest valuesKeep forest lands in forest uses for forest values Sustain US forests in face of global forces, urban sprawlSustain US forests in face of global forces, urban sprawl
Meet people’s forest resource needs efficientlyMeet people’s forest resource needs efficiently
Improve management and conservation efficiencyImprove management and conservation efficiency
Restore and sustain health of at-risk forestsRestore and sustain health of at-risk forests
Create new knowledge and technologies:Create new knowledge and technologies: Sciences and products for progressive sustainabilitySciences and products for progressive sustainability
Products and practices innovationsProducts and practices innovations
Enhance lifelong learning and extended educationEnhance lifelong learning and extended education
ANDAND
Address Demand -- Address Demand -- Consumption EthicConsumption Ethic
Intelligent consumption and productionIntelligent consumption and production of of
renewable natural resourcesrenewable natural resources is key to sustaining is key to sustaining
quality of life;quality of life;
Overuse, non-renewable substitutes, transfer effects Overuse, non-renewable substitutes, transfer effects
degrade ecosystems somewhere;degrade ecosystems somewhere;
Prudent choices consider full impacts, the future, Prudent choices consider full impacts, the future,
and the entire life cycle of resources – and the entire life cycle of resources –
Domestic Renewables Win!Domestic Renewables Win!
Restoration ChallengeRestoration Challenge
Defining forest healthDefining forest health
Normal stressesNormal stresses
ChoicesChoices
Integrated strategiesIntegrated strategies
Essentials for successEssentials for success
Roles for scienceRoles for science
Strategic decision treeStrategic decision tree
Threats to Forest Threats to Forest HealthHealth
Uncharacteristic Uncharacteristic firefire
Invasive species Invasive species and and
explosive explosive nativesnatives Climate change Climate change
and droughtand drought Residential Residential
encroachmentencroachment
Healthy Forest?Healthy Forest?
Functions as intended according to landowner goals, state Functions as intended according to landowner goals, state
and/or federal, tribal policiesand/or federal, tribal policies
Delivers high quality water in quantities and seasons that Delivers high quality water in quantities and seasons that
sustain ecosystems and peoplesustain ecosystems and people
Sustains native fish and wildlife compatible with primary Sustains native fish and wildlife compatible with primary
purpose(s)purpose(s)
Resilient to future stresses, e.g., drought, insects, diseases, Resilient to future stresses, e.g., drought, insects, diseases,
storms, fires, invasive species, explosive nativesstorms, fires, invasive species, explosive natives
Has community support to produce the array of values, uses, Has community support to produce the array of values, uses,
products and services desired by ownersproducts and services desired by owners
Some Stresses are Some Stresses are NormalNormal
Fires, disease, storms, landslides are natural processes; Fires, disease, storms, landslides are natural processes;
vital to renewal of productivity, resilience vital to renewal of productivity, resilience
But some watershed conditions exceed range of natural But some watershed conditions exceed range of natural
processes; impede water quality or create processes; impede water quality or create
unacceptable vulnerability to extreme stressesunacceptable vulnerability to extreme stresses
Under what conditions should we intervene to “solve” Under what conditions should we intervene to “solve”
problems, alter ecosystem conditions or trajectory of problems, alter ecosystem conditions or trajectory of
recovery?recovery?
What are the Options?What are the Options?
Let nature take its courseLet nature take its course
Intervene to reduce or eliminate stressesIntervene to reduce or eliminate stresses Stop pollution, stop practices that impede healthStop pollution, stop practices that impede health
Intervene to restore resilience before extreme stressIntervene to restore resilience before extreme stress Affect species, stocking, sizes, distributions, understoryAffect species, stocking, sizes, distributions, understory
Intervene after events to restore health or influence resilience Intervene after events to restore health or influence resilience
to stress and the trajectory and rate of ecosystem to stress and the trajectory and rate of ecosystem
recoveryrecovery Remove threats to desired future conditionsRemove threats to desired future conditions
Affect species, stocking, competing vegetation, herbivoryAffect species, stocking, competing vegetation, herbivory
Integrated StrategyIntegrated Strategy
Assess need for intervention and priorities at site, watershed Assess need for intervention and priorities at site, watershed and landscape scales – collaborative, community and landscape scales – collaborative, community engagementengagement
Target actions/treatments strategically for highest success, Target actions/treatments strategically for highest success, lowest failure; lowest cost, highest benefitslowest failure; lowest cost, highest benefits
Design actions for learning – adaptive managementDesign actions for learning – adaptive management Link restoration actions to complementary goals:Link restoration actions to complementary goals:
Water, fish, wildlife, wood yield, aesthetics, recreation, carbonWater, fish, wildlife, wood yield, aesthetics, recreation, carbon Energy, transportation, jobs, wood-based productsEnergy, transportation, jobs, wood-based products
Monitor and research to reduce costs, increase benefitsMonitor and research to reduce costs, increase benefits Communicate, learn, adapt – close the loop on continual Communicate, learn, adapt – close the loop on continual
learninglearning
What is Needed for Success?What is Needed for Success?
Ready access to contemporary science, relevant information, Ready access to contemporary science, relevant information, toolstools
Ability to assess and act strategically at landscape/watershed Ability to assess and act strategically at landscape/watershed scalescale
Financial resources, social capital for interventionFinancial resources, social capital for intervention
Ability to accomplish multiple objectives and create wealth from Ability to accomplish multiple objectives and create wealth from treatments to cover some costs of restoring health, resiliencetreatments to cover some costs of restoring health, resilience
Integration of science with management and local knowledge for Integration of science with management and local knowledge for place-based problem solving, adaptive learningplace-based problem solving, adaptive learning
Innovation in work processes and new productsInnovation in work processes and new products
Bias for barrier-busting boldnessBias for barrier-busting boldness – risks and costs increase with – risks and costs increase with delay; timidity could = failure on goalsdelay; timidity could = failure on goals
Does Science Have All Does Science Have All the Answers?the Answers?
No way!No way!
Can We Get There Can We Get There Without Science?Without Science?
No way!No way!
A Strategic Decision A Strategic Decision TreeTree Is policy/plan clear on direction for area in question? Is policy/plan clear on direction for area in question?
If no, messy gridlock; clarify policy/planIf no, messy gridlock; clarify policy/plan
Will nature deliver what policy/plan calls for? Will nature deliver what policy/plan calls for? If yes, work is throughIf yes, work is through
When restoration interventions are needed/warrantedWhen restoration interventions are needed/warranted What kind?What kind? Where?Where? How frequent is the need?How frequent is the need?
How to pay for restoration work?How to pay for restoration work? Public $$ – but state and federal discretionary $$ decliningPublic $$ – but state and federal discretionary $$ declining Revenues generated from by-products of restoration workRevenues generated from by-products of restoration work Savings from reduced emergency spendingSavings from reduced emergency spending Carbon credits Carbon credits Other: conservation incentives, recreation?Other: conservation incentives, recreation?
The Case for The Case for ManagementManagement
Wood Production ForestsWood Production Forests Sustain productivity and increase value as forestsSustain productivity and increase value as forests
Compete in global marketsCompete in global markets Excellence in commodity woodsExcellence in commodity woods Value-added differentiated wood and wood-based productsValue-added differentiated wood and wood-based products
Sustain resilience to drought, insects, disease, fireSustain resilience to drought, insects, disease, fire Multi-resource ForestsMulti-resource Forests
Joint resource productionJoint resource production Diversify revenues to finance management: wood + recreation + Diversify revenues to finance management: wood + recreation +
ecosystem servicesecosystem services Diversity, resilience to drought, insects, disease, fireDiversity, resilience to drought, insects, disease, fire
Reserve ForestsReserve Forests Restore wildness and natural processesRestore wildness and natural processes Contain human impactsContain human impacts
University Roles …University Roles …
Educate a highly skilled forest/mill Educate a highly skilled forest/mill workforce and future forest scientists and workforce and future forest scientists and teachersteachers
Create a stronger science base for all SFM Create a stronger science base for all SFM systems; improve regulatory efficiencysystems; improve regulatory efficiency
Public Forestry Agency Public Forestry Agency Roles…Roles…
Innovations for improved market and environmental Innovations for improved market and environmental performance of all US forests and forest products performance of all US forests and forest products
Innovations to increase productivity and Innovations to increase productivity and sustainability of US forest resources and forest sustainability of US forest resources and forest productsproducts
Educate a more knowledgeable, responsible Educate a more knowledgeable, responsible citizenrycitizenry
Promote prudent policies, empowered communitiesPromote prudent policies, empowered communities Advocate for diverse, productive, resilient forests Advocate for diverse, productive, resilient forests
and associated economies and human communitiesand associated economies and human communities
Future Forest Future Forest Resilience?Resilience?
Its up to our generation to choose and act if Its up to our generation to choose and act if
we want to deliver healthy, productive, we want to deliver healthy, productive,
wealthy, and resilient forests to our children wealthy, and resilient forests to our children
and grandchildrenand grandchildren