Old-Growth Definition for Upland Longleaf and South Florida Slash pine Forests, Woodlands, and Savannas

摘要

Old growth is widely acknowledged today as an essential part of managed forests, particularly on public landa. However, this concept is relatively new, evolving since the 1970s when a grassroots movement in the Pacific Northwest began in eamest to define old growth. In response to changes in public attitude, the U.S. Department of Agricultnre, Forest Service began reevaluating its policy regarding old-growth forests in the 1980s. Iudeed, the ecological significance of old growth and its contribution to biodiversity were apparent. It was also evident that definitions were needed to adequately assess sud manage the old-growth resource. However, definitions of old growth varied widely among scientists. To address this discrepancy and other old-growth issues, the National Old-Growth Task Group was formed in 1988. At the recommendation of this committee, old growth was officially recognized as a distinct resource by the Forest Service, greatly enhancmg its status in forest management planning. The committee devised The Generic Definition and Description of Old-Growth Forests to serve as a basis for further work and to ensure tmiformity among Forest Service Stations and Regions. Emphasis was placed on the quantification of old-growth attributes. At the urging of the Chief of the Forest Service, al1 Forest Service Stations and Regions began developing old-growth defmitions for specific forest types. Because the Southem and Eastem Regions share many forest communities (together they encompass the entire Eastem United States), their efforts were combined, and a cooperative agreement was established with The Nature Conservancy for technical support.