Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics

Abstract Tree size-density dynamics can inform key trends in forest productivity along with opportunities to increase ecosystem resiliency. Here, we employ a novel approach to estimate the relative density (RD, range 0–1) of any given forest based on its current size-density relationship compared to...

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Autores principales:	C. W. Woodall, A. R. Weiskittel
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2021
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/d20f8ebab4d7459cb9508de50f7cbe6d
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:d20f8ebab4d7459cb9508de50f7cbe6d2021-12-02T15:15:14ZRelative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics10.1038/s41598-021-98244-w2045-2322https://doaj.org/article/d20f8ebab4d7459cb9508de50f7cbe6d2021-09-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98244-whttps://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract Tree size-density dynamics can inform key trends in forest productivity along with opportunities to increase ecosystem resiliency. Here, we employ a novel approach to estimate the relative density (RD, range 0–1) of any given forest based on its current size-density relationship compared to a hypothetical maximum using the coterminous US national forest inventory between 1999 and 2020. The analysis suggests a static forest land area in the US with less tree abundance but greatly increased timber volume and tree biomass. Coupled with these resource trends, an increase in RD was identified with 90% of US forest land now reaching a biologically-relevant threshold of canopy closure and/or self-thinning induced mortality (RD > 0.3), particularly in areas prone to future drought conditions (e.g., West Coast). Notably, the area of high RD stands (RD > 0.6) has quintupled over the past 20 years while the least stocked stands (RD < 0.3) have decreased 3%. The evidence from the coterminous US forest RD distribution suggest opportunities to increase live tree stocking in understocked stands, while using density management to address tree mortality and resilience to disturbances in increasingly dense forests.C. W. WoodallA. R. WeiskittelNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q C. W. Woodall A. R. Weiskittel Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics
description	Abstract Tree size-density dynamics can inform key trends in forest productivity along with opportunities to increase ecosystem resiliency. Here, we employ a novel approach to estimate the relative density (RD, range 0–1) of any given forest based on its current size-density relationship compared to a hypothetical maximum using the coterminous US national forest inventory between 1999 and 2020. The analysis suggests a static forest land area in the US with less tree abundance but greatly increased timber volume and tree biomass. Coupled with these resource trends, an increase in RD was identified with 90% of US forest land now reaching a biologically-relevant threshold of canopy closure and/or self-thinning induced mortality (RD > 0.3), particularly in areas prone to future drought conditions (e.g., West Coast). Notably, the area of high RD stands (RD > 0.6) has quintupled over the past 20 years while the least stocked stands (RD < 0.3) have decreased 3%. The evidence from the coterminous US forest RD distribution suggest opportunities to increase live tree stocking in understocked stands, while using density management to address tree mortality and resilience to disturbances in increasingly dense forests.
format	article
author	C. W. Woodall A. R. Weiskittel
author_facet	C. W. Woodall A. R. Weiskittel
author_sort	C. W. Woodall
title	Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics
title_short	Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics
title_full	Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics
title_fullStr	Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics
title_full_unstemmed	Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics
title_sort	relative density of united states forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/d20f8ebab4d7459cb9508de50f7cbe6d
work_keys_str_mv	AT cwwoodall relativedensityofunitedstatesforestshasshiftedtohigherlevelsoverlasttwodecadeswithimportantimplicationsforfuturedynamics AT arweiskittel relativedensityofunitedstatesforestshasshiftedtohigherlevelsoverlasttwodecadeswithimportantimplicationsforfuturedynamics
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Relative density of United States forests has shifted to higher levels over last two decades with important implications for future dynamics

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