How threatened are US old-growth forests?

by 158 | January 2, 2009 at 12:55 pm

406 views | 37 Recommendations | 12 comments

.
However much is left, it
needs to be protected. When
it is gone it will take hundreds
of years to be replaced.

Q: How much “old growth” forest is left in the United States, and is it all protected from logging at this point?
– John Foye, via e-mail

A: As crazy as it sounds, no one really knows how much old-growth forest is left in America, mainly because various agencies and scientists define it differently. Generally speaking, “old growth” refers to forests containing trees often hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years old. But even when there is agreement on a specific definition, differences in the methods used to inventory remaining stands of old-growth forest can produce major discrepancies – or so complains the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry (NCSSF) in its recent report, “Beyond Old Growth: Older Forests in a Changing World.”

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Amy Judd

at 14:54 on January 2nd, 2009

I agree that a definition needs to be made now about what an old growth forest is, and then a plan needs to made how to protect it, as you said, otherwise it will be totally gone and will be so hard to get back.

Paschen

at 17:38 on January 2nd, 2009

There is very little left if one defines it pragmatically.

matte

at 17:55 on January 2nd, 2009

Perhaps the easiest is that a forest contains second generation trees, that is seedlings from the replanting if that was the case and also a defined percentage of other plant species comesurate with the type of dominant tree.

Often old growth forest is defined as never having been logged

158

at 18:56 on January 2nd, 2009

Thanks for clarifying that.

aelusive

at 19:11 on January 2nd, 2009

We need to save the whales too.

matte

at 19:23 on January 2nd, 2009

They will all be dead in10 years or so even without whaling - the acidification of the oceans means that Krill, which is very PH sensitive will soon die and so whales will starve to death.

So maybe eating them is the most environmentally sound thing to do....

158

at 19:55 on January 2nd, 2009

I would strongly hate to see old forests or whales disappear.

moonie_tricks

at 20:17 on January 2nd, 2009

My husband and I traveled through the very tip of northern California at the border of Oregon in order to drive through the Redwood National Forest. A few years before, I had to drive through it on my way to the coast so that I could drive the Oregon coastline (a passion of mine). As I drove slowly along, admiring the breathtaking beauty of the forest around me, I noticed a bench on the side of the road. I pulled over and sat. I sat, right in the middle of this forest, with cars occasionally driving past.

The Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park is what I found. It has many trails that you can take and the air is clean, misty, with a bit of a bite. I fell in love with these trees and the majestic height of them. They truly make you feel insignificant.

What I noticed in this small grove of old-growth trees was that there was no trash on the trails. The people who visited these groves were respectful to their precarious state in our environment.

Much of the old-growth forest in northern California remains untouched, as they are State Parks. I can't speak for other areas of the country or world, but here in California, they're a treasure to behold.

moonie_tricks has contributed a photo to this story.

158

at 21:03 on January 2nd, 2009

An excellent comment. Thanks for sharing it.

We need more places and people like that.

flaminmo

at 22:32 on January 2nd, 2009

As I walked through these trees, I was amazed at how enormous they are. I've grown up in the Pacific Northwest and have seen many trees and forests. But these were breath taking...to think how long it took for these giants to be created, and to be able to stand there and still enjoy them. That was amazing!

flaminmo has contributed a photo to this story.

AntjeSchulte

at 03:37 on January 3rd, 2009

This forest is especially dear to me - it's like an oasis. We had been hiking for several sun-scorched hours through shrubs and succulents, brushed past thorn-covered bushes, and then we had crossed the divide and entered the forest. Lush and green and cool and full of birds, water, and flowers. We took our hats off and sighed. And for the first time after hours of hiking in blazing sunlight, we were able to raise our heads and look up, sheltered from the sun by a canopy of leaves.

I basically grew up in forests, playing under beech trees and collecting colored leaves in autumn. I never have been able (and never wanted to) shake the feeling of awe and, well, shelter - these creatures have been there before my grandmother was born, and they will be there after my grandchildren have died. Or so I hope. I think we need these old trees, not for fuel or construction, but to teach us to look and plan and take responsibility ahead of our short lives. To anchor us in this world.

AntjeSchulte has contributed a photo to this story.

Beefy Tom

at 16:43 on January 4th, 2009

Well. I'm not quite sure where to begin as I didn't expect to receive any type of recognition for this photograph.

As far as I know a section of this forest was subject to a fire many, many years ago. Whether it was a lightning strike, or accidental I cannot remember at the moment, however just by looking, it is clear it was a long time ago.

It's actually part of a Provincial Park here, although it is a little out of the way. As one progresses through the trail there's a few enormous old Furs, maybe about 3 or 4 people could join hands around it to get an idea of its size.

Thanks for featuring this. A real boost of confidence for myself.

Beefy Tom has contributed a photo to this story.