Visit to National Forests by researchers reinvigorates relationships and science delivery
As a science-based organization managing over 193 million acres of public forests and grasslands, the USDA Forest Service strives to fully integrate the science of its R&D branch with management of the National Forests. Seeking to advance the communication and shared knowledge at the foundation of science-management integration, a team of SRS scientists and NFS specialists representing multiple disciplines conducted a week-long visit to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and the Sumter National Forest.
Enhanced engagement and communication between scientists and natural resource managers has mutual benefits that help address existing and expected future forest management issues. A team of Southern Research Station scientists organized a week-long visit to National Forests in the southern US, with the goal to enhance awareness between scientists and NFS Specialists around research support and problem-solving opportunities in forest management. The team visited a mountain bog wetland restoration site and the 2016 Rock Mountain wildfire site, both in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in the southern Appalachians. Emerging issues include under-design of road crossings and water quality concerns due to increased use of forest roads and recreation pressure. A visit to Sumter National Forest provided the opportunity to observe ongoing floodplain wetland restoration activities, soil rutting impacts from wet weather operations, and legacy issues of bank erosion and sedimentation in piedmont streams. In addition to reaffirming the importance of SRS’ commitment to Fire, Water, and Markets research, the team identified research needs in the social sciences to address increasing pressures from recreational use of National Forests during the COVID19 pandemic, and growing populations in the region. Climate change also adds new uncertainties for forest management and infrastructure development (e.g., culverts and bridges) for a resilient future. Innovative research is needed to provide the right tools for watershed restoration and solve emerging social-ecological problems.
