Term
*Southern Pine Forest*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- 120 million forested acres over 12 states
- 90% private of which 30% is industrial
- 10% public |
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Term
*Southern Pine Forest*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
- Lower Coastal Plain - flat, wet, and mostly sandy soils.
- Upper Coastal Plain - more topography, sandy acidic (and well-drained) soils.
- Piedmont - rolling hills of clay and clay loam soils. |
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Term
*Southern Pine Forest*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Warm, moist, LONG growing season (200-300 days)
- 40-60” precipitation regularly through the year. |
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Term
*Southern Pine Forest*
Historical uses |
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Definition
- Pre-settlement indigenous peoples and explorers
- 1650s settlement and land clearing begins, until 1860s
- Rebuilding until the 1930s – reversion to forest |
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Term
*Southern Pine Forest*
Major Forest Type (1 of 2) |
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Definition
Longleaf - slash: Mainly in the lower coastal plain; some production forestry.
- Pinus palustris - Longleaf pine
- Pinus elliottii - Slash pine |
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Term
*Southern Pine Forest*
Major Forest Type (2 of 2) |
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Definition
Loblolly-shortleaf: Big-time production forestry featuring loblolly pine.
- Pinus taeda - Loblolly pine
- Pinus echinata - Shortleaf pine |
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Term
*Southern Pine Forest*
Dominant Management Practices |
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Definition
- Short rotation tree farming on industry and some non-industrial private forest lands (i.e., investment land owners to Granny's "back forty": primarily loblolly and slash pine.
- Restoration and ecosystem management on public: longleaf pine.
- Wildlife management, watershed protection and recreation. |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- 30M acres of hardwood forests located primarily along major rivers and minor streams
- 85% private of which 25% is industrial. |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
- Alluvial deposits: gravels, sands, silts and clays depending on flooding.
- Creates river bars, fronts, flats, slough/swamps and ridges/terraces |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Same as southern pine forests (interspersed): warm, moist with long growing season.
- 40-60" of precipitation regularly throughout the year |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Historical uses |
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Definition
- Pre-settlement indigenous peoples - hunting and subsistence cropping.
- 1650s settlement and land clearing for cotton, including necessary levees and drainage.
- 1930s agricultural abandonment begins - reversion to brush.
- 1980s interest in restoration of native bottomland hardwoods |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Major Forest Type (1 of 3) |
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Definition
Cottonwood-willow: on river bars and fronts, with sandy soils and regular flooding
- Populus deltoides - Eastern poplar
- Salix nigra - Black willow |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Major Forest Type (2 of 3) |
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Definition
Mixed bottomland hardwoods: on flats and ridges/terraces; 1’ is a big difference
- Liquidambar styraciflua - American sweetgum
- Quercus nigra - Water oak
- Ulmus americana - American elm
- Carya aquatica - Water hickory |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Major Forest Type (3 of 3) |
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Definition
Baldcypress-tupelo:
- Taxodium distichum - Baldcypress
- Nyssa aquatica - Water tupelo
- Nyssa sylvatica - Black tupelo |
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Term
*Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forests*
Dominant Management Practices |
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Definition
- Cottonwood production forestry, for pulp and paper products on abandoned farms
- Restoration of native bottomland hardwood forests and baldcypress swamps |
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Term
*Appalachian Uplands Forests*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- 84 M acres
- 99% commercial (meaning trees grow well enough to make a living)
- 82% privately owned and 18% publicly owned. |
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Term
*Appalachian Uplands Forests*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
Three basic physiographic provinces (see province figure):
- Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains (my home forest!).
- Ridge and Valley province (like the Shenandoah Valley).
- The Appalachian and Cumberland Plateaus in West Virginia and Tennessee primarily. |
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Term
*Appalachian Uplands Forests*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Temperatures: 100-200 days of frost-free growing season
- Precipitation: 127-200cm annual rainfall, evenly distributed among seasons |
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Term
*Appalachian Uplands Forests*
Historical uses |
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Definition
- Indigenous peoples: modest agriculture in the valleys.
- EuroAmerican Settlement: extensive land clearing including mountain slopes for the timber and to open up grazing lands.
- 20th Century: "high grading" of the forests; death of the American chestnut forest type. |
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Term
*Appalachian Uplands Forests*
Major Forest Type (1 of 3) |
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Definition
- Yellow Pine Type: (northern version and extension of southern pines; early successional)
- Pinus virginiana - Virginia pine
- Pinus rigida - Pitch pine
- Pinus taeda - Loblolly |
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Term
*Appalachian Uplands Forests*
Major Forest Type (2 of 3) |
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Definition
- Pine / Hardwood Type: (driest, poorest hardwood sites, as a transition from pine types; mid successional often)
- Quercus prinus - Chestnut oak
- Quercus coccinea - Scarlet oak
- Nyssa sylvatica - Black tupelo |
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Term
*Appalachian Uplands Forests*
Major Forest Type (3 of 3) |
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Definition
- Oak - Hickory Type: (most widespread; mid and lower slopes, broad valleys in all 3 regions)
- Quercus alba - White oak
- Quercus velutina - Black oak
- Carya glabra - Pignut hickory
- Carya ovata - Shagbark hickory |
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Term
*Northeastern Forests*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- 93% of the forest in privately owned; 78% small owners and 22% industry owners.
- Only 7% publicly owned. |
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Term
*Northeastern Forests*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
| - Landforms in the Northeast are a mix of upland plateaus and mountain ranges |
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Term
*Northeastern Forests*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Temperatures: 90-180 frost free days (growing season).
- Precipitation: 80-130cm per year, evenly distributed. |
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Term
*Northeastern Forests*
Historical uses |
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Definition
- Indigenous peoples: modest agriculture in the valleys, with burning and light harvesting on the mountainsides.
- Euro-American Settlement: extensive clearing for agriculture between 1700 and 1880, reducing forest cover from near 100% to 30%.
- Timber, charcoal, tannin, lumber. |
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Term
*Northeastern Forests*
Major Forest Type (1 of 3) |
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Definition
- Upland spruce/fir type: found on high-elevation and northern cold sites with thin soils; very slow growing and shade tolerant species.
- Picea rubens - Red spruce
- Abies balsamea - Balsam fir |
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Term
*Northeastern Forests*
Major Forest Type (2 of 3) |
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Definition
- Northern hardwood type ("Birch-Beech-Maple"): Found on the best soils in lower slope positions with a nice glacial mix for soils.
- Betula alleganiensis - Yellow birch
- Fagus grandifolia - American beech
- Acer saccharum - Sugar maple |
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Term
*Northeastern Forests*
Major Forest Type (3 of 3) |
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Definition
| - Oak and Oak/pine types: An extension of the oak-hickory and oak-pine types from the Appalachian Forests, mid-successional leading to northern hardwoods on more moist sites. |
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Term
*Boreal Forests*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- Canada: ~45% forested; 1/3 of world's boreal forest is in Canada (2nd behind Russia).
- Alaska: ~36% forested, but mostly non-commercial (slow growth in a harsh environment)
- Ownership: Most land is publicly owned |
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Term
*Boreal Forests*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
| - Typically flat or rolling country with numerous rivers, lakes, and bogs created by glaciation. |
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Term
*Boreal Forests*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Temperatures: Average summer HIGH temperatures are 50-60°F but mean daily temperature is closer to freezing.
- Precipitation: 20-55cm annually, primarily as snow.
- Growing season: Very short at 90 to <50 days. |
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Term
*Boreal Forests*
Historical uses |
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Definition
- Indigenous peoples: Impacts on forests were relatively light because of low population density, and consisted of burning and occasional tree cutting.
- Euro-Americans: Harvesting in the boreal forest in Alaska has been light to date given its remoteness. |
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Term
*Boreal Forests*
Major Forest Type (1 of 3) |
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Definition
- Closed coniferous forest type: This type is true forest vegetation but ONLY occurs in the southern part of the "boreal ecoregion"
- Picea glauca - White spruce
- Picea mariana - Black spruce |
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Term
*Boreal Forests*
Major Forest Type (2 of 3) |
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Definition
- Early successional forest type: (found following fire or flooding, is invaded by conifers with time).
- Populus tremuloides - Quaking aspen
- Betula papyrifera - Paper birch |
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Term
*Boreal Forests*
Major Forest Type (3 of 3) |
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Definition
Lichen woodland type and Woodland-tundra ecotone: scattered trees and shrubs in a sea of tundra.
- Picea mariana - Black spruce |
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Term
*Lake States Forests - the "melting pot"*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- 46 M acres of forest land.
- 60% of the forests are privately owned (mostly non-industrial)
- 38% publicly owned.
- 2% tribal. |
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Term
*Lake States Forests - the "melting pot"*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
- Generally flat or rolling country with numerous rivers, lakes, and bogs created by glaciation during the Pleistocene Era.
- Parent material is glacial deposits. |
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Term
*Lake States Forests - the "melting pot"*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Precipitation: 60-80cm annually, with modest snow. Heavier snow occur near the Lakes.
- Temperature: Highs to 110F and lows to -30F.
- Growing season: Short at 80 days but up to 150 days south of the Lakes. |
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Term
*Lake States Forests - the "melting pot"*
Major Forest Type (1 of 3) |
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Definition
- Mixed pine forest type: (THE distinct forest vegetation of the Lake States).
- Pinus banksiana - Jack pine
- Pinus resinosa - Red pine |
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Term
*Lake States Forests - the "melting pot"*
Major Forest Type (2 of 3) |
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Definition
- Early successional forest type (aspen-birch): (found following fire or flooding on better soils).
- Populus tremuloides - Quaking aspen
- Betula papyrifera - Paper birch |
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Term
*Lake States Forests - the "melting pot"*
Major Forest Type (3 of 3) |
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Definition
| - Oak and Oak/pine types: an extension of the oak-hickory and oak-pine types from the Appalachian Forests, mid-successional leading to northern hardwoods on more moist sites. |
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Term
*Rocky Mountain Forests*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- 400/500M acres of forest land!
- Only 40% of the forested land in the Rocky Mountains is "commercial".
- 60% federal ownership! |
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Term
*Rocky Mountain Forests*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
- Complex, young geomorphology that creates a mosaic of mountain ranges (some quite tall and striking), broad fertile basins, narrow valleys, steep canyons, and massive plateaus (e.g., the Colorado Plateau) that were once lake bottoms.
- Lots of erosion. |
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Term
*Rocky Mountain Forests*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Temperatures: Regulated by elevation and topography
- Growing season: <50 to 200 days depending on topography, elevation and latitude. |
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Term
*Rocky Mountain Forests*
Major Forest Type (1 of 3) |
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Definition
- Pinyon-juniper woodland type: (driest, lowest elevations in middle and southern Rocky Mountains.
- Pinus edulis - pinyon pine
- Juniperus monosperma - One-seed juniper
- Juniperus scopulorum - Rocky Mountain juniper
- Juniperus osteosperma - Utah juniper |
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Term
*Rocky Mountain Forests*
Major Forest Type (2 of 3) |
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Definition
- Ponderosa pine forest type: (on wetter sites than pinyon-juniper woodlands).
- Pinus ponderosa - Ponderosa pine
- Quercus gambelii - Gambel oak |
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Term
*Rocky Mountain Forests*
Major Forest Type (3 of 3) |
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Definition
- Douglas-fir/Mixed conifer forest type: (wetter and/or higher elevation covering the full range of the Rocky Mountains).
- Pseudotsuga menziesii - Douglas fir
- Abies concolor - White fir
- Abies lasiocarpa - Subalpine fir
- Picea pungens - Colorado blue spruce |
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Term
*Pacific Northwest Forests*
Size and ownership statistics |
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Definition
- 104 M acres of forest land.
- 50% federally owned.
- 50% private |
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Term
*Pacific Northwest Forests*
Physiography, geology and soils |
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Definition
- Coastal ranges, flat interior valleys, Cascades mountain ranges.
- Elevation and distance from the ocean (rain shadow) are very important!
- All very productive soils given depth, organic matter and moisture availability. |
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Term
*Pacific Northwest Forests*
Climate and Weather |
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Definition
- Precipitation: "Mediterranean" climate - wet winters (90% of the precipitation) and dry summers.
- Growing season: 50 to 300 days depending on distance from the ocean and elevation. |
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Term
*Pacific Northwest Forests*
Major Forest type (1 of 3) |
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Definition
- Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest type: the MAIN EVENT (good sites in both mountain ranges).
- Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii - Coast Douglas fir
- Tsuga heterophylla (climax) - Western hemlock
- Thuja plicata (climax) - Western red cedar
- Alnus rubra (early successional) - Red alder |
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Term
*Pacific Northwest Forests*
Major Forest type (2 of 3) |
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Definition
- Coastal hemlock/Sitka spruce forest type: (next to the ocean to several miles inland; very very wet and productive).
- Picea sitchensis - Sitka spruce
- Tsuga heterophylla (climax) - Western hemlock
- Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii - Coast Douglas fir
- Thuja plicata - Western red cedar (climax)
- Alnus rubra - Red alder (early successional). |
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Term
*Pacific Northwest Forests*
Major Forest type (3 of 3) |
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Definition
- Eastside ponderosa pine forest type: (rain shadow mid-elevation; east side of the Cascade Mountains with rainfall and snow very similar to Flagstaff).
- Pinus ponderosa - Ponderosa pine
- Populus tremuloides (moist depressions) - Quaking aspen
- Pseudotsuga menziesii var glauca - Rocky mountain douglas fir. |
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