The mission of the Threats to Forest Health science area is to better understand these interacting factors. We work to apply scientific knowledge to predict, detect, assess, prevent, manage and mitigate the multiple threats to the public and private forests of the South and beyond.

The Forest Threats science area consists of three work units:

• The Center for Forest Disturbance Science unit;
• The Insects, Diseases and Invasive Plants of Southern Forests unit; and
• The Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center.

Researchers in these units are talented, well respected scientists. They are experts in complex fields who, in partnership with university, state and federal scientists, are actively engaged in research aimed at:

• Predicting, and reducing, the likelihood of disturbances and their effects on multiple forest values;
• Improving the tracking of disturbances over time and space;
• Understanding the biology and ecology of threats to forest health, and
• Improving the tools we have to effectively manage and control the multiple threats facing our forests.

They support the Southern Research Station’s overall mission to create the science and technology needed to sustain and enhance southern forest ecosystems and the benefits they provide.