Introduction

Abstract

Forests cover a vast area of the United States, 304 million ha, or approximately one-third of the Nation’s land area (Smith and others 2009). These forests possess substantial ecological and socioeconomic importance. Both their ecological integrity and their continued capacity to provide goods and services are of concern in the face of a long list of threats, including insect and disease infestation, fragmentation, catastrophic fire, invasive species, and the effects of climate change.

Parent Publication

• Forest health monitoring: national status, trends, and analysis 2011

Citation

Potter, Kevin M. 2013. Introduction. In: Potter, Kevin M.; Conkling, Barbara L., eds. 2013. Forest health monitoring: national status, trends, and analysis 2011. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-GTR-185. Asheville, NC: USDA- Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 5-12.