Nine Threats to Alabama’s Forest Resource
The foundation of the document rests on a comprehensive
assessment of the conditions and trends within Alabama’s forest
resource. From these, nine threats were identified. Left
unaddressed, these threats will diminish benefits Alabama citizens
receive from the state’s forest.
1.
Urban Growth and Development
2. Fragmentation and Parcelization
3. Invasive Species
4. Changing Markets
5. Insects and Diseases
6. Wildfire
7. Catastrophic Natural Events
8. Air Quality
9. Climate Change
Strategies to Sustain
Alabama’s Forest Resource
The final part of the document provides a strategy to address or
minimize the nine threats. A total of 26 goals, 65 objectives, and
216 strategies were identified to address nine threats facing
Alabama’s forest resource.
In addition, four (4) multi-state regional priorities affecting
Alabama’s forest were recognized as opportunities to collaborate
surrounding states. These multi-state regional priorities include
battling the problem of cogongrass, working to restore longleaf
pine, improving water quality, and managing the impact of urban
mega-regions that are spreading across the region.
What has Been Done?
On December 11, 2011, State Forester Linda Casey signed a
memorandum of agreement with the National Forest of Alabama, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Alabama Department of Environmental
Management, Auburn University - School of Forestry & Wildlife
Sciences, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System to work together
in implementing strategies in the document. An eight-member
multi-agency Forest Resource Task Force was appointed to develop an
annual work plan to guide these collaborative efforts.
What Next?
The multi-agency Forest Resource Task Force is currently
assessing activities already being carried out by each agency that
are found in Forests at the Crossroads. The Task Force will then
recommend 1) how agencies can improve working together on existing
activities and 2) what gaps or opportunities there are for
additional collaborations.
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