Forest Health Monitoring Program Guidelines

By Martha Allen


The health of forests is crucial for the general well-being of all creatures in the universe. This is why the Forest Health Monitoring program was established. Its mandate was to establish how severe, the extent and cause of any degradation or change in forests or forested area. Detection monitoring indicators raise an alarm when there are significant changes in the well-being of forests under watch.

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.

There are forested areas under states while others lie under the federal government. FHM coordinates the activities of governments at these two levels. The idea is to provide a comprehensive approach to protection of forests in US. The use of both biotic and abiotic data ensures that models developed make it easier to understand forests and thus keep them healthy.

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 call for special and intense attention. This causes experts to monitor the sites with special interest and greater intensity. For instance, a study may be commissioned to assess the effects of calcium depletion on one or more areas. The program produces reports and data that can be used to predict the future conditions of such environments.

Environmental changes demand sharpening of monitoring tools and techniques. With better techniques and tools, future incidences are easier to deal with. Prediction also becomes easier, faster and more precise. For example, it becomes easier to detect an invasive species or introduce and manage it. The use of spatial data enables more predictable and concrete management of different environments. Data in combination with better and sharper monitoring tools and techniques make it easy to understand different occurrences.

The program synthesizes information obtained from different sources and centers regarding forests. It collaborates with external sources and organizations to generate reports that are guided by issues. The reports focus on changes in forests and how to enhance the status of species or the entire ecosystem. By bringing together multi-level government agencies, forests can be protected through an all rounded approach.

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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