Treesearch

Southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis, SWWP) is a component of dry and wet mixed-conifer forests in the southwestern United States and provides ecological function and diversity. The species is geographically limited to Arizona, New Mexico, parts of Texas, southern Colorado, and northern Mexico, but occurs on a wide range of habitats within its distribution. Historically, SWWP regeneration has not been well studied or monitored in mixed-conifer forests of the Southwest, although our understanding of the species’ ecology is increasing. Introductions of Cronartium ribicola, the...

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and white pine blister rust (causal agent: Cronartium ribicola) are causing extensive crown dieback and mortality in limber pine (Pinus flexilis) in the central and southern Rocky Mountains. Ecologically valuable limber pines often grow in fragile ecosystems where few other trees can grow. The combined effects of mountain pine beetle, white pine blister rust, dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium cyanocarpum), and climate change could greatly reduce the biodiversity of these ecosystems. Current status and long-term monitoring of limber pine trees and...

Background The early stage of forest succession following disturbance is characterized by a shift in songbird composition as well as increased avian richness due to increased herbaceous growth in the forest understory. However, regeneration of woody species eventually outcompetes the herbaceous understory, subsequently shifting vegetation communities and decreasing availability of vital foraging and nesting cover for disturbance-dependent birds, ultimately resulting in their displacement. These early stages following forest disturbance, which are declining throughout the eastern United...

The collective U.S. housing market was mixed in February, and once again new single-family (SF) sales were revised sharply downward. SF housing starts were robust, and other housing categories appear to have flat-lined on a monthly basis. Regionally, data were mixed across all sectors. New SF construction and remodeling spending remain positive, increasing at an incremental pace.

The collective U.S. housing market was mixed in March, and new single-family (SF) sales improved positively on a monthly basis. SF housing starts declined on a monthly basis, as well as new SF construction and remodeling spending. Existing house sales were negative on a year-over-year basis. Other housing categories appear to have flat-lined on a monthly basis. Regionally, data were mixed across all sectors.

Climate change may both exacerbate the vulnerabilities and open up new opportunities for farming in the Northeastern USA. Among the opportunities are double-cropping and new crop options that may come with warmer temperatures and a longer frost-free period. However, prolonged periods of spring rains in recent years have delayed planting and offset the potentially beneficial longer frost-free period.Water management will be a serious challenge for Northeast farmers in the future, with projections for increased frequency of heavy rainfall events, as well as projections for more frequent...

The livestock industries are a major contributor to the economy of the northeastern United States. Climate models predict increased average maximum temperatures, days with temperatures exceeding 25 °C, and higher annual precipitation in the Northeast. These environmental changes combined with increased atmospheric CO2 concentration are expected to either increase or decrease forage productivity depending on the crop, and may decrease protein content and forage digestibility. Winter damage to sensitive forage species may also increase. Predicted temperature increases are expected to reduce...

Extending from the Canadian province of Alberta to the Transverse Volcanic Plateau of Mexico, Pinus strobiformis is part of a species complex with two geographically adjacent, but nonsympatric, species, namely P. flexilis and P. ayacahuite. Pinus strobiformis is classified as being of least concern and at lower risk according to the guidelines of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List (IUCN 2014). In Mexico, this frequent tree species is protected and included in Mexican Regulation NOM-059-2010. Pinus strobiformis appears to have broad...

Climate-based predictions of species distributions provide information for understanding impacts of climate change. However, species distribution models do not include land management zones as input. Improving understanding of geographic shifts will require consideration of management zones where certain activities could facilitate or impede responses to climate change. For instance, assisted migration to overcome dispersal barriers could be challenged in areas designated for “untrammeled” character (e.g., wilderness). Alternatively, large tracts of land with uninterrupted disturbance...

This publication provides an overview of the forest resources in Maine based upon inventories conducted by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Information about the national and regional FIA program is available online at www.fia.fs.fed.us. Since 1999, FIA has implemented an annual inventory in the State and currently measures 20 percent of the sample plots each year. For the 2017 inventory, estimates for current variables, such as area, volume, and biomass, are based on 3,526 plots inventoried from 2013-2017. Change...