resilient forests steven w. koehn, director / state forester maryland dnr forest service...

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







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







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








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


Not possible without continual adaptation to change

Fitting Forest to PurposeFitting Forest to Purpose







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







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

resilient forests steven w. koehn, director / state forester maryland dnr forest service...

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