Southern Forest Resource Assessment Report - Experts Meeting to Define Questions

An Assessment of Southern Forests: Formulating the Questions Experts Workshop June 17-18, 1999 Atlanta, Georgia Participant's Information Package Enclosed is some information that should prove useful in preparing for our upcoming meeting. In the pages that follow, you will find (1) the initial meeting announcement with logistical details, (2) an agenda for our sessions on 6/17 and 6/18, (3) a brief description of the intent and structure of the assessment, and (4) the set of questions that framed the Southern Appalachian Assessment . The latter might serve as an example of the types and scope of questions we expect would result from our workshop. Thanks for your participation in this effort! An Assessment of Southern Forests: Formulating the Questions Experts Workshop June 17-18, 1999 Atlanta, Georgia Background The USDA Forest Service, in partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Valley Authority and southern state forestry agencies, is initiating an assessment of the forest resources of 13 southern states. The assessment will bring together agency and other experts to collect and evaluate the most current and relevant information available on the status of the region's forests: their productivity, ecological diversity and sustainability. The first step in this assessment is to define a set of concerns and derivative questions that will be addressed. To frame these questions, we will be assembling a group of experts from federal agencies to participate in a workshop. The initial set of questions defined at this workshop will then be refined through a set of public meetings to be held around the South this summer. Work on the assessment, including the definition of questions will be organized around the following five core areas: Landscapes/Terrestrial Ecosystems Water/Aquatic Ecosystems Forest extent, conditions, and health Timber markets and forest management Social and Economic systems. Logistics The meeting will convene at 8:30 on Thursday June 17. It will adjourn at noon on the 18th. We will meet at the Westin Atlanta Airport. The hotel provides shuttle service from the airport. A block of rooms is being held at the government rate at the Westin. For reservations: call 404-762-7676 and refer to the "Southern Sustainability Assessment Meeting." Agenda Westin Hotel, Atlanta, GA June 17-18, 1999 PURPOSE : To develop a first cut at the questions that will drive the assessment of the forest resources of the Southern U.S. Thursday, June 17 8:30 am SET-UP and INTRODUCTIONS-- large group 9:40 am BREAK 10:00 am GENERATING THE CONCERNS this ASSESSMENT COULD ADDRESS-- small groups. Purpose: To identify the major concerns related to the status, productivity, ecological diversity, and sustainability of Southern Forests. 11:30 am LUNCH 12:30 pm REFINING THE CONCERNS-- small groups Purpose: To massage the brainstorm list of concerns into 4-6 broad concerns that would be appropriate to address in this regional-scale assessment. 1:30 pm REVIEWING THE CONCERNS--large group Purpose: To allow all the participants to review the broad concerns identified by small groups 2:30 pm GENERATING QUESTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE CONCERNS-- small groups Purpose: To generate questions that must be answered to address the concerns identified earlier. A subset of these questions will ultimately provide the focus for the assessment. 3:40 am BREAK 4:00 pm ASSESSING FEASIBILITY OF ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS-- small groups Purpose: To begin thinking about the feasibility of answering the suggested questions in the context of this Assessment. 5:00 pm ADJOURN for the day Friday, June 18 8:00 am ENHANCING THE QUESTIONS Purpose: To give all participants a chance to hear and comment on the questions generated in small group 10:00 am BREAK 10:20 am ASSESSING FEASIBILITY OF ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS, Continued Purpose: To finish thinking about the feasibility of answering the suggested questions in the context of this Assessment. 11:30 am WRAP-UP Purpose: To come together in large group to take stock of the progress made, restate the next steps in the Sustainability Study, and express appreciation for the participation of those at the meeting. 11:40 am ADJOURN The Status of Southern Forests: Productivity, Ecological Diversity, and Sustainability BACKGROUND The USDA Forest Service is initiating an effort to compile and analyze data and information necessary to evaluate the status of the forest resources of the southern U.S.; their productivity, ecological diversity and sustainability. Forest resources to be evaluated include timber and forest products, biological attributes, and aquatics. The geographic scope of the evaluation includes the 13 states that comprise the Southern Region (Region 8) of the Forest Service: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC. TN, TX, and VA. It will be conducted in close cooperation with southern state forestry agencies, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Tennessee Valley Authority. For the purposes of this effort, productivity of the forests is intended to connote their ability to produce a full range of amenities and commodities (timber, wildlife, recreation, water, range). Ecological diversity includes biological organisms and their habitats. Sustainability means managing forests to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by practicing a land stewardship ethic which integrates the growing, nurturing and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, water quality, wildlife and fish habitat, and aesthetics. (American Forest and Paper Association, 1995). Some initial issue identification was completed as part of the federal interagency staff's recent effort to define issues surrounding forest ecosystem sustainability for the Southeastern Natural Resource Agency Leaders Group. More detailed and comprehensive analyses will be required to ensure that all pertinent and answerable questions are surfaced for this assessment. Input from cooperating and interested agencies and the public will be actively sought. TIMEFRAME The project is expected to take 2 years. SCOPE AND SCALE The assessment will include 2 primary phases, or components: a region-wide status report and one or more smaller area evaluations. Region-wide Assessment While the geographic scope of the project is the 13 southern states noted above, data and information will be retrieved and analyzed at the state and "section" ecological unit levels. Reporting at these scales will maximize the assessment's usefulness at the state and local level and provide an ecological context that transcends political boundaries. State-level analysis and reporting fits well within traditional means of collecting, storing and reporting forest inventory data. Questions answerable by Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data will be readily addressed at this scale. The FIA program for the South is located at the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station in Asheville, NC. The ecological unit "section" level analysis will prove useful in answering questions on an ecological basis. This scale of analysis, however, provides challenges regarding data compilation and interpretation, as data of different ages and formats must be combined in order to be analyzed. The scope of subjects to be evaluated will be limited to those for which data and information are readily available and which contribute answers to the critical questions regarding forest resource sustainability. During the region-wide assessment, collection of new data will not be feasible, given the limited time and resources available to address the 13-state area. It is likely, therefore, that some important questions will not be answerable by this evaluation. These will be noted as requiring further study. Smaller Area Assessment Because some resource questions are best answered at a smaller scale, a second tier assessment is also planned. Its purpose will be to focus on smaller areas i.e. ecological units, states, or portions of states, where sustainability appears to either be in question or demands additional attention. This scale of assessment should facilitate more detailed data analysis and evaluation of potential cause/effect relationships. Criteria for selecting and evaluating these study areas will be identified early in the overall process. Choice of study areas and parameters to be evaluated will be based on information gathered during the region-wide assessment, other agencies' data and information, and public input. Unlike the region-wide assessment, It is anticipated that this scale of analysis will require additional data collection. Potential sources include FIA, forest industry, regional and state sources, satellite imagery, and other non-government sources. Specific data needs, sources, and associated cost will depend on the number and nature of the smaller area(s) chosen for further study. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNICATION The public will be involved throughout the process; from identifying and refining questions to be addressed, to review of the final product. Progress reports will be prepared on a regular basis, and will be available via the Internet. Input will be actively sought from individuals and groups of stakeholders. A public involvement and communications plan, to be developed during the startup phase (April and May, 1999), will provide more details on this important aspect of the project. EXPECTED OUTPUTS The assessment will result in a bound publication containing a variety of tabular, graphic and GIS data accompanied by narrative analysis. The region-wide assessment will be reported separately from the smaller area assessment, The latter will also include tabular, graphic and GIS displays and narrative analysis, but will also likely reflect the use of satellite imagery. AGENCY CONTACTS David Wear, USDA FOREST SERVICE ph. 919-549-4011 John Greis, USDA FOREST SERVICE ph 404-347-7223 Lee Barclay, US Fish and Wildlife Service ph 931-528-6481 Ext. 212 Heinz Mueller, US Environmental Protection Agency ph 404-562-9611 Jim Williamson, Tennessee Valley Authority ph 865-632-1516 Tom Loggins, Georgia Forestry Commission ph 912-751-3524 Broad Categories to Consider for the Sustainability Assessment Social/Economic Systems population and demographic changes land use changes/trends outdoor recreation supply and demand rules, regulations and BMP's at state and local levels value of non-wood products non-market values demand projection landowner attitudes/timber availability urban/wildland interface Landscape/Terrestrial Ecosystems forest and habitat fragmentation game and non-game animals plant species T & E species tree species composition habitat distribution Water/Aquatic Ecosystems water quality water yield wetland impacts distribution of forested wetlands sensitive aquatic species Forest Extent/Structure/ Health exotic species tree mortality forest growth forest pathogens and insects environmental factors fire age class distribution forest type composition longterm soil productivity Timber Markets/Forest Management afforestation/reforestation harvesting intensity harvest distribution timber supply silvicultural practices harvesting/processing technology timber demand SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS This set of questions was used to frame and guide the Southern Appalachian Assessment. They are included here as an example of the types of issues that might be addressed in a broad scale assessment. TERRESTRIAL Based on available information and reference material, what plant and animal species occur in the SAA area, and what are their habitat associations? What are the status, trends, and spatial distributions of terrestrial habitats and wildlife and plant populations for: Federal T&E Species? Viability Concern (VC) species? Rare communities? Wildlife species that are hunted, viewed, or photographed? Species for which there is high management and public interest? Species with special or demanding habitat needs? Species considered to be true ecological indicators? What habitat types, habitat parameters, and management activities are important for maintaining viable populations of the species on the "short list" of plants and animals? Based on our current knowledge of ecological land unit capabilities in the Southern Appalachians, what are the conditions needed to: Recover T&E species? Conserve populations of VC species? Maintain existing species and community diversity? Provide suitable populations on National Forests? What changes or trends in forest vegetation are occurring in response to human-caused disturbances or natural processes? What are the potential effects of the presence or absence of fire on forest health? How is the health of the forest ecosystems being affected by native and exotic pests? How are current and past management practices affecting the health and integrity of forest vegetation in the Southern Appalachians? ATMOSPHERIC What are the major air pollutants which could impact the Southern Appalachians, and what areas receive the greatest exposure? What is the current concentration of particulate matter in the air of the Southern Appalachians? How good is visibility in the Southern Appalachians, and how does air pollution affect visibility? To what extent are aquatic resources in the Southern Appalachian Assessment area being affected by acid deposition? What impact does ground-level ozone have on forests? AQUATICS What is known about the current status and apparent trends in water quality, aquatic habitat, and aquatic species within the Southern Appalachian study area? What management factors are important in maintaining aquatic habitat and water quality? What is the extent of riparian area and composition? What laws, policies and programs for the protection of water quality, streams, wetlands, and riparian areas are in place, and how do they affect aquatic resources, other resources, and human uses within the SAA? What are the current and potential effects on aquatic resources from various activities? What are the status and apparent trends in water usage and supplies within the SAA, including water rights and uses on National Forest system land? THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS How has the social pattern of Southern Appalachian communities changed over the past two decades? How has the changing social pattern of the Southern Appalachians affected management of natural resources in the region, and what future effects of social trends can we predict? How might management of natural resources impact the economic and social status of local communities in the region, particularly communities near major tracts of public land? To what extent have interests or publics outside of the Southern Appalachians affected the status and management of the region's ecosystems and public land? What are the important attitudes and values that Southern Appalachian residents hold toward natural resources and ecosystem management? With particular emphasis on tourism and extractive and other resource-dependent industries, what are the important economic trends in the Southern Appalachians? What are the status of and the priorities for management of land by nonindustrial private landowners in the region? THE TIMBER ECONOMY What are the supplies of and demands for wood products in the Southern Appalachians? Where and how does the wood products industry depend on National Forest System timber? What are the relationships among timber production, employment, and income ? What national forest land is tentatively suitable for timber production in the region and how can assessment findings be incorporated in further analysis of timber suitability? OUTDOOR RECREATION What opportunities are there for public land in the Southern Appalachians to provide unique or unsatisfied forest-related recreation demands? How has the recreating public within traveling distance of public land changed in the past 10 years and what are the predicted future changes? What are the supplies of and demands for major types of recreation settings and activities within the area? How is the changing social context of the southern Appalachians likely to affect future recreation demands on public lands? How do recreation opportunities affect the lifestyle and local culture of the area? ROADLESS AREAS AND DESIGNATED WILDERNESS Where are the roadless areas on national forests in the SAA area? What is the Forest Service doing to maintain or enhance natural processes in national forest wildernesses? Is there a relationship between the amount of use wildernesses are receiving and their proximity to major population centers? What are the spatial relationships of wilderness and roadless areas to other assessment resources including, but not limited to, old growth, critical habitat, tentatively suitable acres for timber management, recreation settings and use patterns, special classification areas, and land-type associations on national forests? ...Previous   Table of Contents | Assessment Home | SRS Home

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