Seeing the Forest for the Trees

Sustainable Forestry

While protecting forests is a critical part of ensuring Ohio’s remaining woodlands thrive for generations to come, beneath the canopy is a more complex story. Overharvesting has led to soil degradation and decreased productivity. Pests, diseases and invasive species have caused widespread tree death and altered forest structure. Suppression of ecological processes like fire have altered plant and wildlife species composition. And climate change has caused shifts in species ranges, resulting in the loss of important forest types and a reduction of economically valuable species.

As recently as the 1990s, conservationists combatted these challenges through a shared mindset focused on forest preservation. This passive approach to conservation helped protect some of the nation’s old growth forests so they could continue maturing for the benefit of people and wildlife alike. But the world’s climate has changed significantly since then, forcing a shift in perspective.

Climate change is not a distant threat. It is happening now. And the science is clear: it has never been more critical for us to protect and restore forests and wetlands and improve the management of agricultural lands. Research indicates that these natural climate solutions can provide more than one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 2˚C worldwide above pre-industrial levels—a target set by the Paris climate agreement.

“While we haven’t stopped protecting forests, we now better understand how to actively manage them against increasing threats that are intensifying from a warming climate," says Sustainable Forestry Director Tom Rooney. "This is where sustainable forestry, which aims to manage the structure of the forest and its species composition, can help."

If a forest were a house, the foundation and frame would represent the woodland’s structure while the interior décor would represent the species composition. Forest managers help maintain a woodland’s structure by protecting the oldest and largest legacy trees and ensuring the integrity of the seedling bed so that young trees can thrive. They also manage woodlands for issues like invasive species, which threaten the forest’s structure by overtaking native plant communities and outcompeting tree seedlings.

Intentional thinning is another important component to maintaining a forest’s structure. By deliberately curating the removal of select trees from a forest, managers can promote the growth of new trees by opening the canopy so sunlight can reach the forest floor, giving seedlings a fighting chance at survival. This process of guiding forest succession toward a more diverse, resilient state with higher carbon storage capacity is one of the active forest management practices in place at select sites within the Edge of Appalachia Preserve.

Managing for the forest’s structure is just the start. Building on a solid foundation is critical to ensuring that a house will not collapse, but getting the interior décor just right ensures the comfort and happiness of those who will call it home. “Trees can grow pretty much anywhere in a forest, but when they’re on optimal sites, they are healthier and more resilient to pests and diseases,” says Rooney. “We manage the forest to ensure that the right species are growing in the right places, which reduces plant stress and builds overall resilience of the ecosystem.”

FSC® certification ensures that the forest management adheres to rigorous environmental, social and economic standards, focusing on conserving biodiversity, protecting indigenous rights and fostering responsible forest operations. It guarantees that the forest products originate from responsibly managed sources and signifies a commitment to sustainable forestry through sustainable management practices, including reforestation, ecosystem conservation and community engagement. The certification provides consumers with the assurance that the forests supplying their products are managed with care for the environment and local communities, encouraging the preservation and sustainable use of our invaluable forest resources.

Working with Private Landowners

Long ago, famous forester and conservationist Aldo Leopold wrote, “Conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest.” With 87% of Ohio’s remaining forests in private ownership, Leopold’s words are perhaps more relevant today than when they were written in 1934. The ability to sustainably manage Ohio’s forests will depend upon our success in engaging the state’s 397,000 private forest owners in the endeavor.

Through community driven conservation, TNC is helping to connect Ohio’s forest owners to programs that will help preserve and enhance the ecological, economic and social benefits of Ohio’s privately-owned woodlands and secure the resiliency of our forests not just for today, but for generations to come.

Why have a forest management plan?

A forest management plan describes the current condition of your forest, outlines your vision and goals for your woods, and identifies which management practices, if any, can help you achieve those goals over time. Here are some good reasons to have a forest management plan:

• A forest management plan includes a survey of all the key features of your property—soils, roads and trails, stream and wetlands, wildlife habitat—and anything else important to you.
• A forest management plan gets you thinking. What are your favorite things about your woods? Why do you own your property? What are your expectations for the future?
• A forest management plan helps you prioritize. It acts as a “to do” list for your forest. It helps you keep track of your past management activities, and provides a timeline of practices to plan in the short-term and long-term.
• A forest management plan can help identify threats you might not notice. An inventory of your forest should include the identification of any invasive species. Identifying these threats early can help reduce the costs to control them and prevent an infestation.
• A forest management plan is required for state and federal financial assistance programs, including programs offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Financial assistance may be available to help with the cost to develop a forest management plan.