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Ecological and Economic Sustainability of the Appalachian Forest in an Era of Globalization

Located in Parsons and Princeton, W.Va., we work on problems relating to the sustainability of Appalachian forest ecosystems and related economies in a changing world.  We are working to develop information and new knowledge to promote efficient, sustainable management of these forests in the following ways:

• By providing guidelines for managing these forests to maintain or improve the productivity and diversity of the soil, water, and forest resources
• By providing critical information to support diverse forest-based industries and outcomes (e.g., hardwood lumber, tourism, wildlife habitat) that maintain or restore the integrity of ecosystem processes (e.g., biological productivity, maintenance of biological diversity).

Globalization and U.S. competitiveness will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of the hardwood industry, which in turn affects the management and health of these important forests. Research can provide information, analysis, tools, and other assistance to the wood-products industry, landowners, government policymakers, land managers, and citizens to help sustain healthy, productive, and viable forests and communities within the region.

In addition we manage the Fernow Experimental Forest for long-term silvicultural, hydrologic, and ecological research.

More Information

This site is under development as the Forest Service brings together the Northeastern and North Central Research Stations to form the Northern Research Station, serving the Northeast and Midwest. The links below will take you to pages of the old sites for the Sustainable Forest Ecosystems in the Central Appalachians, Efficient Use of the Northern Forest Resource, and Economics for Eastern Forest Use units that combined to form the Ecological and Economic Sustainability of the Appalachian Forest in an Era of Globalization research work unit. Check back often as we expand our site to reflect our combined commitment to supporting the natural resources and people of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States.

 

Research Topics

• Intensive management of Appalachian forests
• Ecosystem Processes
  
• Wildlife management, including endangered species
  
• Soil and water impacts of forest management
  
• Fernow Experimental Forest
  
• Silviculture and log/lumber quality
  
• Innovative processing technologies for mill operations
  
• Economics of hardwood products in a global economy
  
• Market and wood-use information