|
Cooperative Extension Service |
Agricultural
Experiment Station |
|
|
Arbor Day
Dale Bumpers College
|
ForestryArkansas's forests provide a diversity of products and other important benefits including wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, watershed protection, and aesthetic values. Statewide, there are 18,778,660 acres of forest land representing approximately 56% of the total land base. Of this, 27% is pine, 17% is mixed hardwood and pine, 39% is upland oak-hickory forests, and the remaining 16% are bottomland species including some oak, cypress, cottonwood, and elm. Other tidbits of information concerning Arkansas Forests...... Total forest acreage has increased by 6.5% since 1988. Private landowners including farmers, ranchers, and other individuals own over 58% of the forest land in the state and many actively manage their forest lands. National Forests account for 12.4% (2.3 million acres) of Arkansas's total forested acreage. Arkansas's National Forests include 189 miles of rivers, more than 3,526 acres of lakes and reservoirs, 2,653 miles of fishable streams, and 926 miles of recreational trails. Other federal property Forest resource companies own or lease 25% of the state's forest land. The forest products industry, including the pulp and paper industry, is the state's largest manufacturer and directly employed 47,400 employees in 1995 with a payroll of $1.17 billion. A total of $4.0 billion was contributed in value-added dollars in 1995. Arkansas forests provide habitat for numerous species of plants and wildlife. To read about the history of forestry in Arkansas, read the article by Dr. John Gray |
© 2006 |
|
University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture |
Mission
•
Disclaimer
•
EEO
•
|