Old-Growth Forests on National Park Service Lands: NPS Views and Information

摘要

An informal survey was initiated to determine what information is now available on the extent, character and management of old-growth forests on lands of the National Park Service (NPS). In 1988 a questionnaire was distributed to NPS units that possibly contained this community type. The responses of all 58 units have been summarized. The working definitions of old growth differed widely among respondents. Attributes most frequently mentioned were lack of disturbance (lack of logging and an undisturbed character) and tree age. The amount of old growth is estimated at more than 1.97 million hectares (4,867,800 acres), located in 32 states and the District of Columbia, and in all 10 NPS regions. Species lists for old-growth stands are available for vascular plants in 53% of the NPS units and for birds in 35%. Many units (35%) did not have information on which species are strongly associated with old-growth forests. The most frequently reported disturbances affecting old-growth forests were logging, wildfire, windthrow events and fire suppression. More than half (54%) of NPS units reported no management plan specific to old-growth forests. Research efforts in these old-growth forests included current research projects (60% of NPS units), long-term data sets (63%) and permanent plots (35%). The old-growth forests on lands of the NPS are an extensive and valuable natural resource whose importance should be considered in plans for park management and research.