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Frequently asked questions about
old-growth
What is old growth?
Old growth forests can be loosely described as
forests that look largely as they would appear if Europeans had not settled
North America and that have experienced little or no direct disruption by
EuroAmericans. Scientists have not been able to come up with a more precise
definition for old growth, in part because the characteristics of old growth
vary from forest type to forest type. An old-growth oak forest on a dry ridge
will differ greatly from an old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, for
example.
How much old growth is there in the East?
Old-growth forests are
"the least represented habitats on the eastern landscape." Less than 0.6% of the
forest that remains in the East today has not been heavily logged or grazed, and
forest types attractive to loggers may now be numbered only in the hundreds of
acres.
Are the remaining old-growth forests protected?
At least 50% of
the remaining old growth is still in private hands or controlled by agencies
that may and surprisingly often do log it. Even protected site suffer from such
human-caused disruptions as the logging of their buffers and the incursion of
non-native species.
What is the value of old growth?
Old-growth forests have rightly
been characterized as "the key" to biodiversity. The invaluable roles they play
include making unique contributions to the gene pool; harboring native species;
demonstrating natural processes; and serving as cores for future large
wilderness areas and as nodes of biodiversity linked by corridors.