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Native Burning Stabilizes
Forest Conditions
Historic forest conditions can be difficult to piece together, but this knowledge is needed to inform forest policy and management. Forest Service scientists were
co-authors on a recent study
that used pollen records, tree rings and Native oral history to compare climatic and human influences on forest biomass over the past 3,000 years in the western Klamath Mountains. They discovered that forest biomass doubled since Euro-American
colonization. Large-scale efforts may be needed to return to historic levels that were in part maintained by Native burning.
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Tallying Up Insect Invasions
Understanding how global movement of people and products acts as a conduit for biological invasions is important for informing policy. Technology and policy changes
may have made screening processes for non-native insects more effective over time, finds a
study
co-authored by a Forest Service scientist. The authors caution that long delays between pest arrival and discovery complicate estimating the risk of non-native insect establishment.
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Inspecting Utility Poles
to Prevent Wildfires
Powerline structural failure is a known cause of wildfires. Though routine inspection and maintenance can reduce this threat, the
total number of poles requiring inspection nationwide is daunting. In a recent
report,
Forest Service scientists and partners developed a comprehensive, fast and easy procedure to help field practitioners expedite pole inspections.
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How Hurricanes Reshape Forests
Hurricane winds can break branches and snap or uproot tree trunks, thus changing the trajectory of forest structure and function. A Forest Service scientist and
partners studied
the effects of two successive hurricanes in Puerto Rico. They found that tree size, spatial arrangement and wind resistance had more influence
on how trees were damaged and which ones died than strength of hurricane winds.
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Damage from Hurricane Maria, El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico. USDA photo by Preston Keres.
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Forest Service Research and Development Launches Modernized Website
The new national
website
launched on the evening of March 28th. Reorganized to provide a more intuitive framework for visitors, the new website also
introduces
new features, such as
upgraded scientist profiles and research highlights from across the agency's Research and Development deputy area. More content and additional features will be added in phases until all Research and Development websites are migrated into the new platform.
Please take a few minutes to peruse the new website and provide thoughtful feedback
here.
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When are Heat Waves too Hot?
Heat waves lasting a few days or weeks are predicted to increase in frequency as the climate changes. A Forest Service scientist
examined
global human population densities and their exposure to high temperatures in past and future climate scenarios. She found that in most countries, cities were generally already located in hot areas. Also, heat waves reaching
36 degrees Celsius may be a threshold beyond which urban areas become inhospitable.
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Dr.
Grizelle González was named as the new Director of the
International Institute of Tropical Forestry, becoming the first woman to lead the Institute since its inception over 80 years ago.
The
Northern Research Station has a new
season of the Backcross
Forestcast
podcast series, which explores strategies for breeding trees for resistance to insects and pathogens.
The
Pacific Northwest Research Station published a report
that assesses the
vulnerability of southwest Oregon’s forests to climate change and presents forest managers with adaptation options that minimize negative impacts.
The
Pacific Southwest Research Station and partners developed a handbook
to assist private landowners in implementing management tactics to enhance forest resilience to disturbance.
The
Rocky Mountain Research Station has a new Science
Spotlight on challenges confronted by communities in
achieving sustainable water use.
The
Southern Research Station and forest managers conducted a 400-acre prescribed burn at Crossett Experimental Forest to reduce hazardous fuels and protect adjacent landowner property.
Watch the video here.
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The
Urban
Forest Connections series brings together experts to discuss the latest science, practice and policy on urban forestry and the environment.
Greenspace Preservation in Distressed Communities will be on April 13, 1-2 PM ET.
The
Rocky Mountain Research Station hosts
Science
You Can Use, which features the station's latest research, including wildland fire, forest restoration, rangeland management and wildlife conservation. Webinars
are held twice a month. There will be a bonus episode called Effective Communication about Wildfire Management on April 20, 2022, 10-11 AM MT.
The
Northern Research Station hosts Rooted
in Research, which features the station's latest research with direct land management applications. Webinars are held at 12:30 PM ET on the first Wednesday of
each month.
The
Southern Research Station hosts
Science
in Practice, a series that summarizes recent research with a focus on practical takeaways for land managers and practitioners.
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The
Pacific Northwest Research Station hosts PNW
SciCast, a series that highlights timely station research
on topics of current interest to resource managers, ranging from wildfire science to climate change adaptation. Webinars are held on the last Thursday of the month.
The
SCIENCEx
series
explores the latest science and best practices for addressing large natural resource challenges.
SCIENCEx Wildlife is scheduled for April 4-8, 2022, 2-3 PM ET. Recorded webinars are also available
here.
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Message from the Forest Service R&D Deputy Chief
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Deputy Chief Alexander L. Friend
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Stories this month describe how Forest Service researchers and partners are rapidly expanding the horizons of natural resources science and application in a vast
array of pressing issues. For example, they are using long-term historical data and traditional knowledge to inform current forest management practice and policy, synthesizing how pollution affects ecosystem services provided by trees, determining how disturbances
such as hurricanes alter forest structure, and understanding temperature thresholds beyond which human population centers may not thrive. This research highlights the critical importance of healthy forests and grasslands to the sustainability of ecosystems
and human populations.
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Partnerships
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) publishes The
E-Forester*, a free weekly e-newsletter featuring the latest forestry and natural resources-related news and publications. Topic areas covered include wildfire,
state and private lands, federal lands, research and innovation, forest products, international forestry, plants and pests, educational opportunities and more. Click
here to subscribe.
Create connections and explore solutions at the
2022 SAF National Convention! With the theme of “Our Working Mosaic,” help build a better understanding of the mosaic — the landscape, the people who work in it, and the work itself. Registration opens on May 1.
Learn
more!
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