Ongoing Research is a Priority
Several research efforts recently initiated will result in advanced knowledge and user-friendly tools available in the near future.
Forest Threats Get Complicated—Complex interactions among forest threats, such as fire, invasive plants, and insects and disease, can impact forest health. Eastern and Western Center scientists are analyzing these interactions and developing methods to advance knowledge and understanding. Initial research focuses on wildfire risk assessments by using ARC GIS risk analysis systems that quantify potential wildfire impacts.
Advanced Technology Supports Integrated Threat Assessment Tools—The Eastern Center’s collaboration with the University of North Carolina Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center supports development of advanced tools and technology that share knowledge and understanding of forest threats with a variety of audiences. Activities include improved data collection, management, and analysis that create user-friendly tools.
Foresters Partner to Address Land Use Issues—Urbanization will strongly influence forested landscapes in the future. Eastern Center researchers are collaborating with the Southern Group of State Foresters to evaluate consequences of urbanization, fragmentation, and parcellation of southern forests with case studies planned for the southern Appalachians and coastal South Carolina.
Combined Maps Give Realistic View—Environmental threats are often studied in isolation, making similar information challenging to view and interpret simultaneously. Western Center researchers are developing new approaches to delivering integrated models and maps so users can easily access and realistically understand overlapping information.
Models Evaluate Climate Change Impacts—Vegetation and insects are potentially impacted by climate change under a variety of scenarios. Western Center scientists are developing gypsy moth and climate models for vegetation in the Pacific Northwest, sensitizing these models to climate changes that predict locations of Asian gypsy moth. They are also evaluating climate change effects on forest trees and assessing genetic and silvicultural options to maintain adaptability, productivity, and value of forests.
Synthesized Information Heightens Awareness—Centralized environmental threats information will help land managers make informed decisions when addressing forest threats—particularly wildland fire and multiple threats interaction under changing climates. Western Center scientists are working to synthesize existing fuels planning, incident response, and climate change information, which will enhance existing information and aid in prioritizing future research.
National-scale Risk Maps Target Invasive Pests—Several non-native forests pests, including the sirex woodwasp and sudden oak death, are emerging in previously uninfested areas. Eastern Center researchers are working to increase knowledge concerning long-distance pest spread and pests’ access to host species in developed and non-developed landscapes.
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