Revised Page: Annual Update 2003
  Introduction to the Forests Chapter
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Note that the data published in the 2002 State of the Nation’s Ecosystems Report as well as the 2003 and 2005 Web-Only Updates have been superseded by the 2008 Report and thus should be used with caution. For the most recent data, purchase the 2008 Report from Island Press.

Can we report trends? Are there other useful reference points?

System Dimensions
Updated
Data Available Forest Area and Ownership How much forest land is there in the US? How much is privately owned and how much is publicly owned? Trends, regional comparison
2003
Data Available Forest Types How is the area occupied by major forest types changing? Trends, regional comparison
2003
Data Available Forest Management Categories How intensively managed are U.S. forest lands? Trends, regional comparison
2003
Partial Data Available Forest Pattern & Fragmentation How fragmented are U.S. forests? Trends, regional comparison
 

Chemical and Physical Conditions
Updated
Data Available Nitrate in Forest Streams How much nitrate is there in forest streams? Current data only. Federal standard, cross-ecosystem comparison  
Partial Data Available Carbon Storage How much carbon is stored in U.S forests? Trends, regional comparison
2003

Biological Components
Updated
Partial Data Available At-Risk Native Species What are the percentages of forest-dwelling species that are at different levels of risk of extinction? Current data only, regional comparison  
Data Inadequate Area Covered by Non-native Plants What percentage of the plant cover in forests is not native to the region? No data reported.  
Partial Data Available Forest Age How much of the Nation's forests is young, middle-aged, or old? Regional comparison
2003
Data Available Forest Disturbance: Fire, Insects, and Disease How many acres are affected each year by fires, insects, and disease? Trends
2003
Data Inadequate Fire Frequency Are forest fires burning much more or less frequently than in pre-settlement times? No data reported.  
Data Inadequate Forest Community Types With Significantly Reduced Area How much area is occupied by forest types that have significantly declined in area since pre-settlement times? Are these forest types increasing or decreasing in area at present? No data reported.  

Human Uses
Updated
Data Available Timber Harvest How much Timber is harvested each year and what is it used for? Trends, regional comparison
2003
Data Available Timber Growth and Harvest How much Timber grows each year, compared to the amount that is cut? Trends, regional comparison
2003
Data Available Recreation in Forests How much recreational activity takes place in the Nation's forests? No data reported.
2003

Data Available All necessary data Available Partial Data Available Partial data available Data Inadequate Data not adequate for national reporting Indicator Development Needed Indicator development needed
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Last Revised: Friday, 16-Dec-2011 11:31:57 EST