Watershed Approach to Forest Conservation

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Watershed Approach to Forest Conservation

• by
• The Center for Watershed Protection
• www.cwp.org
• www.stormwatercenter.net

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Slideshow Content

• Why is forest conservation important?
• Selecting, evaluating and prioritizing sites for
  conservation
• Summary

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Why is Forest Conservation Important?

• Forests can
• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Provide wildlife habitat and migratory corridors
• Improve air quality
• Reduce urban heat island effect
• Fragmentation reduces interior habitat

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Table 2. Hydrologic and Water Quality Benefits of Trees Table 2. Hydrologic and Water Quality Benefits of Trees Table 2. Hydrologic and Water Quality Benefits of Trees
Benefit Per Tree Annual Quantification of Benefit Source and Description
Rainfall Interception 500 - 760 gallons of water Annual rainfall interception by a large deciduous front yard tree (CUFR, 2001)
Evapotranspiration 100 gallons of water Transpiration rate of poplar trees for one growing season (EPA, 1998)
Nitrogen Uptake 0.05 pounds nitrogen Based on daily rate of nitrogen uptake by poplar trees (Licht, 1990)
NOx (from air) 1 lbs per year Component of acid rain and nutrient runoff (CUFR, 2001)
O3 (Ozone) 4 lbs per year Ground level ozone hazardous to human health (CUFR, 2001)
Particulates 3 lbs per year Pollutants are linked to respiratory problems (asthma and diseases) (CUFR, 2001)
CO2 48 lbs per year Increase is root cause in climate change (CUFR, 2001)
Carbon 13 lbs per year Carbon sequestration by tree incorporation (Coder, 1996)
Temperature reduction Reduction of 3 to 8 degrees Celsius (multiple trees) Multiple benefits for health, reduce energy costs, stream temp (CUFR, 2001)
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Table 2-1. Declining Bird Species from Priority Habitats in Virginia and the Eastern US Table 2-1. Declining Bird Species from Priority Habitats in Virginia and the Eastern US Table 2-1. Declining Bird Species from Priority Habitats in Virginia and the Eastern US
Primary Breeding Habitat Location of Population Concern Species (Common Name)
Riparian (Streamside) Woodlands VA and Eastern U.S Black-billed cuckoo
Riparian (Streamside) Woodlands Virginia Yellow warbler
Riparian (Streamside) Woodlands Eastern U.S Belted kingfisher
Riparian (Streamside) Woodlands Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Acadian flycatcher
Riparian (Streamside) Woodlands Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Prothonotory warbler
Interior Forest - Sensitive to Fragmentation VA and Eastern US Wood Thrush
Interior Forest - Sensitive to Fragmentation Virginia Kentucky warbler
Interior Forest - Sensitive to Fragmentation Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Worm-eating warbler
Deciduous/Coniferous Forest (DCF) VA and Eastern U.S. Eastern wood pewee
Deciduous/Coniferous Forest (DCF) Eastern U.S. Grey catbird
Deciduous/Coniferous Forest (DCF) Eastern U.S. Red-headed woodpecker
Deciduous/Coniferous Forest (DCF) Eastern U.S. Downy woodpecker
Natural Field Habitat VA and Eastern U.S Eastern kingbird
Natural Field Habitat Eastern U.S. Common yellowthroat
Natural Field Habitat Eastern U.S. Indigo bunting
Natural Field Habitat Eastern U.S. Northern bobwhite
Natural Field Habitat Eastern U.S. Savannah sparrow
Natural Field Habitat Eastern U.S. Eastern meadowlark
Wetlands VA and Eastern U.S Red-winged blackbird
Wetlands Eastern U.S. Green heron
Wetlands Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Black duck
Source BBS (USGS, 2000) and Priority Management
Species for the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain
(Pashley et al., 2000)
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Table 7
 
Examples of Species Sensitive to Fragmentation
   

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Selecting and Evaluating Forest Conservation Sites

• Step 1. Desktop Analysis
• Step 2. Field Assessment
• Step 3. Prioritization

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Step 1. Desktop Analysis

• Review Inventories
• US Fish and Wildlife
• NWI
• Natural Heritage Program
• State resource agencies
• Local planning office
• County inventories
• Historic site registries
• Breeding bird surveys
• Studies by universities or other
• institutions
• Obtain Mapping
• Wetlands
• Forest
• Aerials
• RTE Species
• Land Ownership/Parcels

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