Urbanization, bioenergy use, weather patterns, land ownership changes and invasive species will cause forests in the South to shrink 23 million acres -equivalent to the state of South Carolina-between now and 2060, according to a forest forecast conducted by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Group of State Foresters. The aim of the report is to identify areas forest managers will focus on for maintenance in the coming years.
"The agency is poised to respond to the implications of the findings in the summary report," said Forest Service Southern Regional Forester Liz Agpaoa. "The summary report clearly demonstrates the urgent need for developing a collaborative strategy to conserve and restore southern forests. A healthy and prosperous America relies on the health of our natural resources, and particularly our forests."
On May 17 the report was released and a 60-day public comment period opened. Comments can be submitted via www.srs.fs.usda.gov/futures.
In addition, researchers have forecast "more numerous and severe wildfires" in Southern forests.
More than 30 scientists, researchers, foresters and other experts with the Forest Service, state forestry agencies and universities contributed to the study. The Forest Service Southern Region oversees 14 national forests and two special units in 13 states and Puerto Rico.
