Division of Forestry Strategic Direction
Statewide Forest Strategy 2010
Statewide Forest Assessment 2010
Forest Sustainability Framework
Statewide Forest Plan 2004
A5. Issue: information about biodiversity is scarce.
Comment #: 1
Ask someone with a PhD in Forestry. I have a masters in engineering.
Comment #: 2
Information on biodiversity is crucial as habitat is lost to deer, off-road motorized use and fragementation. This information is the basis for correct management.
Comment #: 3
These points should be discussed but may not need be included in a statewide plan.
Comment #: 4
This is VERY important for management decisions. Future forests need good management based on the best information that is as accurate as possible.
Comment #: 5
insufficient knowledge to reply
Comment #: 6
Larger portions of our forest should be sancturaries set asid for study
Comment #: 7
Lets not get too caught up with genetics, buffers herptiles, etc lest we lose sight of the forest.
Comment #: 8
I support adopting some practices suggested by Dr. Don Waller
Comment #: 9
We should try to understand the importance of this topic.
Comment #: 10
Until we can give the public at-large advice on a purely scientific basis, we don't need to be throwing around biodiversity as a topic of discussion. It becomes a political excuse for nonscientists on how to manage forests.
Comment #: 11
Critical - to general public
Comment #: 12
research funding is important for future
Comment #: 13
When you're talking about foests knowledge is important.
Comment #: 14
What is plan to use available knowledge? Is this deficit in State DNR staff?
Comment #: 15
Should be done by University and College research workers', not bureaucrats.
Comment #: 16
If information about biodiversity is scarce, then it should not be used in statewide forest planning until more is understood.
Comment #: 17
rather than trying to create ecotypes within various timber stands. Look where management and use are or have created (disturbanced - old growth) and utilize the opportunity to maximize these communities. Diversity within a 40, section, or township is not necessarily important.
Comment #: 18
Any of this type of long range "exploring and learning" more appropriately falls into the primary overview of the UW system - Stevens Point, Madiosn, Green Bay - good student projects.
Comment #: 19
However, there is so much listed and so much ambiguity that this issue could be "the great $$ sink" of all time. Most private forest lands do not even have a management plan! Predicting what will happen to biodiversity when there are no place is impossible
Comment #: 20
It is vital forests be managed to maximize biodiversity
Comment #: 21
Sounds like the author is trying to cut the pie in too many infinite pieces.
Comment #: 22
("Monitoring management activities") - This could be too much maybe
Comment #: 23
Cost tactec disallow's
Comment #: 24
Can't say enough about this issue.
Comment #: 25
"Biodiversity research" in itselve is endless. I don't think that counting and describing the uniqueness of every forest advances the knowledge of how the systems work together. Although this type of research may be interesting. The utility with respect to what bigger problems that could be solved. With the same resources ($$$$) is indieed minute. The vast majority of Wisconsin's forests have been cut, plowed, burned, cut again and burned som more. Still gobblin ferns, salamanders etc . . Have all returned to the forest. These creatures have proven to be very resiliant and focusing on how and why they survive is not a priority.
Comment #: 26
This must be fully explored and fully understood asap.
Comment #: 27
But, we should not lock up large areas to commerical harvest (ie NHAL Forest) Study and learn as we move on. Things on this earth are NOT static they change over time. Because something was here does not mean it will always be here.
Comment #: 28
I don't believe information on biodiversity is scarce - but I agree strongly that it is of utmost importance and should play a major role in any forest plan
Comment #: 29
Oops, syntax again? "importance" is not a second attribute is it?
Comment #: 30
2
Comment #: 31
"Scarce" - Lets keep it that way.
Comment #: 32
Use UW for main effort and coordinate DNR Forestry under effects - also uses exp for projects - very (?) progress - this incl FW service parameters
Comment #: 33
Until we know more, we sshould proceed with caution (the precautionary principle), and not be so eager to manage every square inch. Meanwhile, provide more funding for filling these gaps in knowledge.
Comment #: 34
There are some that want more government control of logging because of debree left in the woods. Yet in an unmanaged forest debree multiplies to the delight of environmentalists.
Comment #: 35
This requires supplying more information to landowners so we can manage our forests for everyones benefit.
Comment #: 36
The European foresters have centries of infor on these probs - ask them
Comment #: 37
I know my forst land is changing
Comment #: 38
However, I am very much against making expensive follow-on studies that lead to the expenditure of more funds.
Comment #: 39
Too expensive
Comment #: 40
This is one of the most important issues to be addressed. We need to maintain (improve) biodiversity.
Comment #: 41
Biodiversity changes with time and forest management activities, the state was cut over and done in a fashion of no sustainability management. Looak at the results, history can tell more than trying to determine what will happen. You have watched forest types change, plant species, and animal species. Whatever way the forest is managed whether by tornado, fire or intense management. There is always a plant or animal species appear's and almost always in abundance. The human being has become the dominant specie and the trend in management is toward what looks or sounds appealy whether it meets economical or environmentle needs.
Comment #: 42
Who is going to pay for this "addressed in a statewide ofrest plan."?
Comment #: 43
Good forest management will solve this problem. Private forest owners should be able to select a management plan that best fits their desires and interests.
Comment #: 44
Biodiversity, etc is very important but good forst management is already dealing with these issues on a daily basis. This issue should be addressed but not at the expense of other forestry issues.
Comment #: 45
I think more is known about biodiversity than this statement indicates. I believe at lesat part of the problem arises from the introduction of terms such as "biodiversity" or "ecosystem functian" or "simplification", or "fragmentation", which have no precise meaning and may be used as tools of propaganda rather than to convey scientific knowledge. For example, the terms "disfunctional" or "simplified" ecosystem seem to be used to describe a type of forest that the person using them does not care for.
Comment #: 46
I disagree that biodiversity is as important in todays human influenced forest as it was in primevel forest types.
Comment #: 47
Need more public education also!
Comment #: 48
We need to channel more resources into understanding biodiversity so we don't continue to make poor decisions.
Comment #: 49
This sounds like a mafia play to get more gov. money for D.N.R. Friends. The people D.N.R. Employ don't earn salt anyway; all these cush jobs for Friends.
Comment #: 50
The more we learn about biodiversity the more we will learn that forestry practiced properly will increase biodiversity overall.
Comment #: 51
Looks like a full employment agenda for ornithologists - most of these questions/issues couldn't be resolved to anyone's satisfaction with an army of scientists and billions of dollars -
Comment #: 52
With current forest practices, biodiversity and genetic diversity is in crisis. Again, the natural balance through preserved areas is key.
Comment #: 53
We need to get moving on all of these issues before it is to late.
Comment #: 54
We must be cautious here.
Comment #: 55
Who is going to tell me what I cannot cut on my property and how am I going to be monitored?
Comment #: 56
This is what we need to focus on and study - How the forest trends and change in human use (ex. - motorized sleds/vehicles) impact flora and fauna.
Comment #: 57
Keep learning.
Comment #: 58
This issue should be addressed but should not be the centerpiece of the plan.
Comment #: 59
Say this in English!!
Comment #: 60
Biodiversity is another of the trends. Often the trends are implemented w/o sound scientific support. Focus on good silviculture.
Comment #: 61
This has been studied extensively and UW-Stevens Point offers courses on many of these issues.
Comment #: 62
Monitoring and collecting better data now (below the stand. level and at the ecosystem level) is the most important of these and the only meaningful basis upon which to explore the other issues. $ from timber revenues should be used for this monitoring.
Comment #: 63
No knowledge or experience with subject.
Comment #: 64
This should be tied to old growth and special sites values not to general management. Public understanding of and professional interpretation of biod. are often very disparate.
Comment #: 65
We have only touched the tip of the iceberg. If we only knew how our so called management changes things for better or worse.
Comment #: 66
But even scarcer is seeing what is already known being applied rationally and appropriately in monitoring and management.
Comment #: 67
All of this is nothing more than someone's POLITICALLY CORRECT theory. None of it is supported by SCIENCE.
Comment #: 68
This should be a MAJOR theme within a statewide forest plan. Should look for ways to address the unknowns.
Comment #: 69
we don't have to disrupt mother nature's way of doing things
Comment #: 70
Much knowledge has been limited to the large inhabitants and not the small
Comment #: 71
My problem with all the foregoing is that the DNR should not be doing research-that should be the University, other colleges and institutions. This is not a place for tax money.
Comment #: 72
Why has the need for such a plan not been identified and acted on in the past? What do our foresters use now for guidance?
Comment #: 73
Too costly and little real direction
Comment #: 74
Think these critters will be okay without our attention
Comment #: 75
The plan should include all uses of the forest.
Comment #: 76
Find your answers and have more information before determining management on these theories.
Comment #: 77
need to variate plans don't use formulas
Comment #: 78
Genetics within species is a neglected field.
Comment #: 79
Continued research should be funded by the state.
Comment #: 80
Forest management thru Co fForesters is important
Comment #: 81
If this is true, why isn't money like from hunting license put towards it.
Comment #: 82
Right on - "Forestland" is increasing but much of it is monocultures such as CRP plantings
Comment #: 83
Edit
Comment #: 84
The dynamics of a forest are great and the benefits not well realized by most people. There are all issues important to our understanding.
Comment #: 85
"The role of reserves, buffers and corridors need further study to clarify the relationship with conserving biodiversity." I believe the trend is to create more of these but, I believe as there effects are studied it will prove that they are bad for biodiversity and sepcie diversity. I ALSO THINK THIS TREND WILL BE REVERESED IN 25 + YEARS. THIS SHOULD BE STUDIED.
Comment #: 86
I feel this is a loaded question.
Comment #: 87
WI State should fund research
Comment #: 88
Should be addressed by the research community firest.
Comment #: 89
You have valid areas of concern here but in the whole scheme of mother nature, these are limits to our impact and understanding before white man came, the forests evolved on their own design and cycles.
Comment #: 90
This issue should not be addressed. Management for "biodiversity" and set-asides on the national forest has resulted in a waste of our resource. Our forest should be managed for "multiple use" with the key word being "use". Biodiversity leads to less use and more set-aside waste.
Comment #: 91
Just as important is the study of how proper forest management may even help in the biodiversity scheme.
Comment #: 92
We do need to "fill in" the holes of our knowledge.
Comment #: 93
We will never have enough information.
Comment #: 94
The effects of succession on certain species are well known - on others, they are not. There is sufficient evidence that underscores the importance of reserves and buffers for conserving biodiversity. Those concepts should be incorporated into the work the Department does. The efficacy of corridors is less clear, althought connectivity across the landscape is certainly important. Reserach to date suggests the larger the corridor the better. That concept should also be considered during Dept. decision making processes.
Comment #: 95
Biodiversity should be the product of good forest management, not the other way around. We need aggressive harvest strategies and incentives on private lands to keep our forests young and productive.
Comment #: 96
We will never fully understand biodiversity because it is too broad of a topic.
Comment #: 97
The last point is extremely important and this is something we do not do very well.
Comment #: 98
Keep in mind that our forests in Wisconsin are generally in pretty good shape. Don't follow the USFS's example and get lost in the mire of indecision. Keep managing forests with the sound forest management principles that been successful all along.
Comment #: 99
This issue should not overburden or be a consuming item. This is not the highest priority for attention.
Comment #: 100
THere is ALOT more known about biodiversity than is eluded to. Sure we don't have all the answers, but we never will, and that is what professional judgement is all about. THe judgement of professional that represent all apsects of forest ecology, not jsut the forest managers. Together they can ALL come up with a good plan for the future of WIsconsin's forests.
Comment #: 101
look at the big picture- GREAT!
Comment #: 102
Technologies exist to measure and analyze the complexity of biodiversity. The reason it hasn't been done is because funding resources haven't been allocated to it. The state should commit to sponsoring University research into all of these attributes. A more complete knowledge of the forest community will enhance management for ALL of the potential uses of the forest and preserve the health and longevity of the forest!
Comment #: 103
Let's not cripple ourselves by saying we don't have all the answers, therefore, we cannot do much different than now.
Comment #: 104
use the info available but don't cry about info you don't have.
Comment #: 105
nor will we have a good understanding until everyone is on the same page. It is too ambiguous a term for the general public
Comment #: 106
Research should always be a part of any management plan to continue learning how best to manage properties. The plan must be flexible enough to allow changes or alterations as new information becomes available.
Comment #: 107
The third bullet is very important. This report is heavily focused on structure and composition of the forests. Very scant attention has been paid to ecological funtion. Should be a guiding principal of planning to increase understanding of ecological funtion.
Comment #: 108
A major lacking vision in this document is forest management by watershed. The forest plays an extremely important role in the water cycle and until forest hydrology is added to the plan, it will not include the big picture.
Comment #: 109
Biodiversity and its relationship to forest management is a very important issue. We need to start filling in the "holes".
Comment #: 110
Call it what you want. I think this is an environmentaist preservation question to stop management and to "preserve" our forest. We need to treat our resource like the Karner Blue butterfly, take some here, leave some there and so on. We don't effect the whole system at once.
Comment #: 111
We need to understand the diversity of our forests. Preservationist factions will use "biodiversity" as a means to stop harvesting and forest management. It is my opinion that we have some of the most diverse forests in the country, but we need to have the research to show we are not reducing biodiversity.
Comment #: 112
Acknowledgment of this lack of knowledge is critical to acceptance of a "management plan"-how can you claim to be "managing" something you know so little about? Really have very little basis to say if we do "A" then "B" will surely happen (or not happen).
Comment #: 113
Issues are very complex, would need to be careful not to overwhelm us with details and complex debates
Comment #: 114
Issues are very complex, would need to be careful not to overwhelm us with details and complex debates
Comment #: 115
We do know that biodiversity has decreased from natural levels and it's largely a result of habitat loss. I would hope our forestry department isn't dragging its feet on this to avoid changing industry slanted management practices.
Comment #: 116
Although there is a need for additonal inforamtion regarding forest biodiversity, there is sufficient information available to change current DNR policies if economic and political concerns are not given too much adherence.
Comment #: 117
Are there basic wildlife/biodiversity practices foresters should/must include in MFL plans or Forest Stewardship Plans?
Comment #: 118
Going back to the 1300's is a step backwards and wholly in the narrow minds of the greens
Comment #: 119
"Biodiversity" is a frequently used phrase in conservation and resource management. We need a better grasp of its meaning and ramifications.
Comment #: 120
Forest "management" should include many different ecosystems, not just forests. Especially in WI, there is a need for balance between forests, prairies, agricultural lands and other eco-systems. Researching biodiversity and the impact of environment on biodiversity is critical.
Comment #: 121
This is an evolving and developing trend that begs further study. It is a must if adaptive management is truly part of the policy. Also forestry management is long-term, so we can't afford to wait too long. There is a difference between science and paralysis analysis.
Comment #: 122
this is one of the most importand, we don not want a monoculture of sorts in years to come
Comment #: 123
In order to improve our management actions, as foresters, we need to have an accurate overview of how what we're doing is effecting other aspects of the ecosystem. This is definitely a major priority in ecosystem management.
Comment #: 124
In order to improve our management actions, as foresters, we need to have an accurate overview of how what we're doing is effecting other aspects of the ecosystem. This is definitely a major priority in ecosystem management.
Comment #: 125
Our lack of knowledge should not hinder us from taking steps in the direction we think is best based on current information. We need to study or monitor our policies, but we need to continue to take steps which seem prudent.
Comment #: 126
We should examine how "fragile the DNR tree bank is". Are we heading for a green "genetic" revolution in trees? Is this a necessarily good thing?
Comment #: 127
I understand the importance of all these issues but studies of such things on a state-wide basis would be very expensive. Maybe we need to attempt to prioritize albeit a difficult task.
Comment #: 128
Quite possibly the most important issue in resource management today is addressing the issue of biodiversity and incorporating integrated resource management into resource management decisions.
Comment #: 129
Even though nature is a hard thing to grasp and I think we will never totally understand it. It is important to always try to understand what is going on and why. So these gaps of knowledge is something that emphasis should be put on in order to better ourselves.
Comment #: 130
I believe that examining such things as CWD is a waste of time.
From what I've seen, management for CWD is solely tied to a "Climax" or "old-growth" stage, why should this be examined, when the forest type and management for that type may not call for an "old-growth" stage?
Comment #: 131
Farmers have known for a long time the importance of good genetics and the importance of a large genetic pool. They pay a price when they plant a monoculture year after year. The same priciples applly to forests. Deer herds represent the greatest threat to diversty and don't even get mentioned,
Comment #: 132
Not only should these issues be addressed, but it would be worthwhile to try to find positions for people trained in these areas to do studies.
Comment #: 133
This will be a big issue for some groups, so attack it early and hard. You will never have the numbers(inventory & monitoring)so work at it from a habitat standpoint. Cover all the habitats and assume you covered all the species. Track your logic.
Comment #: 134
Knowledge is power.
Comment #: 135
This is where we should place a large effort.-Not only in terms of researc but also in terms of education.
Comment #: 136
Biodiversity keeps our forests healthy.
Comment #: 137
And don't forget to find a way to make this something all people "NEED" to be concerned about. Sure it's important but why?.
Comment #: 138
Beyond addressing this in a forest management plan, we ought to push the government into investing more in investigating these holes. Maybe look at creating positions for graduate students at state universities to do some of the investigating, combined with hiring more DNR researchers. In conjunction, education programs would need to be more widespread so the public would support the further research.
Comment #: 139
Diversity is the key to increased productivity and desease tolarance. We cannot bio-engineer unless we have a biological system to use.
Comment #: 140
Yes, it is far better to manage in concert with natural forces than in conflict with them.
Comment #: 141
Logging can also improve biodiversity by maintaining timber types that are otherwise in a state of decline on the landscape (aspen or paper birch)
Comment #: 142
And see commments above re: biodiversity
Comment #: 143
There are often more questions than answers. This should provide the incentive for precautionary management. In other words, maintaining or restoring natural ecological systems and processes should receive the benefit of any scientific doubt. Always assume that something is important and necessary, unless conclusively proven otherwise. As Leopold said, the first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the pieces.
Comment #: 144
There are often more questions than answers. This should provide the incentive for precautionary management. In other words, maintaining or restoring natural ecological systems and processes should receive the benefit of any scientific doubt. Always assume that something is important and necessary, unless conclusively proven otherwise. As Leopold said, the first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the pieces.
Comment #: 145
Amen! This should be the primary issue.
People want to know why some forested areas
need to be preserved, while others are good
for harvesting.
Comment #: 146
Connect this up with invasive plant species; their negative impact on biodiversity as they overwhelm small ecological pockets.
Comment #: 147
Connect this up with invasive plant species; their negative impact on biodiversity as they overwhelm small ecological pockets.
Comment #: 148
Connect this up with invasive plant species; their negative impact on biodiversity as they overwhelm small ecological pockets.
Comment #: 149
Addressing this issue will help the public understand that there is a place for clearcutting as well as old growth management.
Comment #: 150
There are scientists/ecologists out there that would take a much firmer stand on some of the statements above. There IS an understanding of the importance of biodiversity that is diluted by the impacts of multiple management considerations.
For instance, geneticists know that genetic diversity increases the ability to adapt to environmental changes over time. As forests are replaced by suburban homes or vacation and lake homes, the local genetic material/gene pool is lost or greated degraded.
Comment #: 151
Perhaps the most important information needed to evaluate other trends
Comment #: 152
Given scarce resources, wait until procedures and methods are better defined.
Comment #: 153
Knowledge is key and knowledge before reaching threatened or endangered status is far more economical.
Comment #: 154
This is partially true. Yes, much more research on these subjects is urgently needed. But there is also a lot of solid research data that is being ignored due to political influence by special interests and timid bureaucrats. Foresters need to not only be better trained and educated on these subjects, but also to have the courage to integrate this knowledge into their management recommendations and decisions. In short, foresters need to think more like ecologists and less like tree farmers.
Comment #: 155
There is more information on biodiversity than the survey statement leads one to believe. However, the extent that you manage for diversity, particulary diversity related to late successional forested ecosystems, has broad implications for the State.
Comment #: 156
LET NATURE TAKE IT'S COURSE, NO WONDER WE'RE LOW ON TREES!
Comment #: 157
I believe it is hard to find good information about biodiversity
Comment #: 158
We won't be able to help the forest situation if we don't know much, so we learn, research, and discover all we can before we start making decisions.
Comment #: 159
Research now will drive good practice well into the future.
Comment #: 160
Research now will drive good practice well into the future.
Comment #: 161
All very good points.
Comment #: 162
More information about biodiversity is important but just like every piece of forestland cannot provide for every recreational use type, not every piece of forest can have the same type or level of biodiversity.
Comment #: 163
Monitoring is one of the greatest needs for this plan -
we need to know how management is affecting sensitive elements
of biological diversity.
Comment #: 164
This is important beacause without knowledge about biodiversity we can't be sure we are doing the right thing, or exactly what we should be doing. We might be hurting, not helping.
Comment #: 165
I think we should develop a plan that
will give information to the public letting
them know that a more diverse forest
is stronger than a forest with one main
type of tree.
Comment #: 166
This is important beacause without knowledge about biodiversity we can't be sure we are doing the right thing, or exactly what we should be doing. We might be hurting, not helping.
Comment #: 167
we need too better educate the public in general about biodiversity, myself included.
Comment #: 168
By this I mean we have to learn more then we can make the correct decisions.
Comment #: 169
This issue is a bottomless pit for using research money. I would like to see implementation of BMPs to leave a reasonable % of trees intact to serve as wildlife habitat. We know that habitat is necessary for wildlife survival. One result of this is that clearcutting should not be allowed.
Comment #: 170
Do those things that you can do to learn more about biodiversity before we lose it and end up with a monoculture of white tailed deer and corn.
Comment #: 171
We will never fully understand these relationships if we don't support continuous study and learning in these and other areas.
Comment #: 172
leave the forest alone harvest when trees are mature and let all people enjoy their property and public land for recreation
Comment #: 173
leave the forest alone harvest when trees are mature and let all people enjoy their property and public land for recreation
Comment #: 174
As many of the issues above are "feasibility" related, they should be examined on small scale to determine viability, before being applied across all of the forest lands.
Comment #: 175
Corridors are a benefit for management and snowmobliling.
Comment #: 176
please mention biotic influences such as exotic species, insects and perhaps even fungal/bacterial relationships(both the good and bad kind). Clearly issues such as CO2 increases/climate change, ozone and nitrogen deposition may be having subtle, but potentially significant impacts.
Last Revised: Monday July 30 2007
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