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Put simply, endangered forests are the remaining forests around the globe with outstanding ecological values that would be irreparably harmed by industrial logging. They represent priority areas for focused conservation efforts. In practical terms, these forests represent areas that should be off limits to logging and set aside as ecological reserves. While a large proportion of the world´s remaining old-growth, primary and ancient forests in tropical, temperate and boreal zones are considered “endangered forests”, the term also includes other ecologically significant forests, such as those in the Southern US where little old-growth remains.
Starting in the late 1990´s and continuing today, over 400 companies, including The Home Depot, Lowe´s and Staples, have made a commitment to phase out products originating from “endangered forests." As a result, conservation organizations working with conservation scientists have defined the term “endangered forests” so important areas that need to be protected can be identified, mapped and ultimately protected.
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The Ecological Values that Define Endangered Forests |
Intact forest landscapes — Forests around the world are under tremendous threat and have become increasingly fragmented. Those forests that remain intact at a large scale (such as the Boreal forest in Canada and Russia) as well as those forests that represent the most intact ecosystems in a region provide important habitat for countless species that depend on large forest areas. An example in the Southern US would be the intact forests within the Cumberland Plateau region.
Rare forest types — Some types of forests exist in relatively small amounts on the landscape. Some of these are naturally rare (e.g. -Southern Appalachian Spruce Fir) and others are rare due to human activity — (e.g. Bottomland and Floodplain Forests and Longleaf Pine forests.)
Forests with high biodiversity — Forests that contain high concentrations of biodiversity (represented by species richness and/or endemism) or represent core habitat for focal conservation species (e.g., threatened and endangered species, keystone species that are representative of a healthy ecosystem or top predators) fit under this category -- (e.g. Longleaf Pine ecosystem and Cumberland Plateau.)
Remnant natural forests in highly degraded landscapes — Some regions have been so degraded by industrial logging and conversion to plantations or development that only remnants of the natural forests remain. These remnants have high ecological value at a landscape level and should be afforded some protection from further loss. An example of this from the Southern U.S. would be the forests of the Green Swamp region.
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Endangered Forests and Private Lands
Recognizing that some of the endangered forests in the South are likely to be found on land that is owned by nonindustrial private landowners, Dogwood Alliance is committed to identifying creative solutions to ensure these forests can be protected for future generations while respecting the financial needs of some landowners to receive an economic benefit from their forests.
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