Wednesday 15 March 2017

A Summary Of The Forest Health Monitoring Program

By Martha Allen


Forests are crucial for the survival of human beings and the world in general. This is the realization that informed the initiation of the Forest Health Monitoring FHM program. This program was mandated to monitor any changes in terms of severity, extent and causes. Through the use of Detection Monitoring signals, significant changes in the status of forests can be reported and early intervention action taken.

The mandate of FHM is long term. It uses such short term tenets as insect infestation and disturbance to forecast and mitigate long term damage. This program also focuses on the widespread damages on forested areas and their ecosystems as well as those damages that are unexpected. The program also monitors and follows up changes with the aim of predicting future occurrences.

States are in charge of certain forests while others are under the control and management of the federal government.FHM program operates across these two levels to provide a joint approach to management of forests. This responsibility requires the use of abiotic and biotic data to obtain a more comprehensive picture of forests.

Behind all the activities carried out through FHM program is a desire to protect the ecosystem from damage. Some of the tools used include ground and aerial surveys covering all or specific areas in forests. Whenever abnormal changes are detected or the status of a certain area is discovered to have changed, action can be taken early. The process is taxing and requires both predictive and retrospective approach. Data captured in the past is compared to better understand different phenomenon.

There are areas that require intense or specialized attention for particular reasons. FHM provides a perfect environment and tools for such. This is mainly to conduct research and monitor certain scenarios. An example is where one would like to understand soil and ecosystem changes when calcium is depleted from the soil. Forest and environmental management bodies will thus understand better how to deal with such situations.

FHM is tasked with developing new and sharpening existing monitoring techniques. The idea is to improve on indicators and thus make it easier, faster and more certain to detect changes. Invasive species thus are easier to deal with before they destroy an entire ecosystem. When spatial data is taken indicators of the health of a section will point at the next best cause of action. The new techniques are also used to revisit old scenarios to understand them better.

Since Forest Service does not monopolize the management of forests, there is need to share and collaborate. FHM works in conjunction with other bodies involved in managing forests and natural resources to enhance their capacities. This is through surveys and reports that offer guidance on the best practices in keeping forests healthy. This convergence of institutions and experts in forestry makes their management easier, accurate and more predictable.

There are periodic reports on forests and focusing on different aspects of interest from time to time. The target for this program is to provide an authoritative and comprehensive approach to protection of forests. The program seeks to bring together all stakeholders interested in keeping forests healthy today and in future.




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