Forest ThreatNet
A 20-year history of United States’ forest fragmentation reporting in the international Montreal Process
The United States' implementation of the Montréal Process indicator of forest fragmentation presents a case study in the development and application of science within a 'criteria and indicator' framework to evaluate forest sustainability. A recent publication by Forest Service scientists reviews the historical evolution and status of the indicator, and summarizes the latest results.
While forest fragmentation is increasing, the rate of increase has slowed since 2006. Most of the fragmentation in the western United States is associated with changes in semi-natural land cover (e.g., shrubs and grass) while most of the eastern fragmentation is associated with changes in agriculture and developed land (including roads). Research pursuing the implementation of this indicator exemplifies the role of a ‘criteria and indicator’ framework in identifying policy-relevant questions and then focusing research on those questions. Subsequent indicator reporting exemplifies the value of a common language and developed set of metrics to help bridge the gaps between science and policy at national and international scales. Learn more about this research here.
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