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Forests
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Applied Forest Classification
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Applied Forest Classification

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2021) | Viewed by 6000

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Scott Franklin

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Guest Editor
School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
Interests: disturbance ecology; vegetation dynamics; community ecology; clonal plants
Prof. Dr. Kyle Palmquist

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
Interests: climate change; ecohydrology; fire ecology; biodiversity; community ecology; ecosystem ecology
Dr. Mario Bretfeld

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144-5588, USA
Interests: forest ecology; ecophysiology; community ecology; clonal integration; plant physiology; disturbances; tropical forests; ecosystem services; water cycling; carbon cycling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We propose a Special Issue that provides the current state of knowledge of forest community classification and the importance of characterizing forest communities for research, management, and conservation, focusing on the application of classifications. Since habitat loss is primarily responsible for biodiversity loss with important implications for ecosystem function, it is more important than ever to have a standardized classification across regional, national, and international borders if we are to mitigate the numerous anthropogenic impacts on forest habitats and the biodiversity therein. This Special Issue examines the current use of vegetation classification and the future of such classifications in forest systems, presenting innovative works highlighting the importance of forest classification and mapping for documenting vegetation dynamics, for informing conservation management and for developing policy. Papers submitted to this Special Issue should address how classifications can stay abreast of vegetation change, describe the importance of classification for modeling patterns and risk assessment, discuss the importance of public data and large datasets in ecological research, and forecast roles classifications play in the future of ecological research and conservation planning. In addition, this body of work highlights how classifications lead to advances in ecological understanding. The benefits of classification are their cost effectiveness, efficient development of management and policies, and efficient sharing of resources (i.e., data and concepts). The structure of this Special Issue demonstrates how forest classification can improve the science and management of our ecosystems, providing insight from regions within the US and around the world.

The topic of forest classification inherently has broader benefits; we see classification as a basis for effective communication, research, conservation, and management of plant communities. Both scientific research and conservation management are enhanced by classification schemes, with publications and publicly available data supporting the descriptions.

This Special Issue will examine how documenting and mapping forest communities are essential processes required to understand the functions and dynamics of forest vegetation, and informing policy decisions regarding management and conservation. 

Prof. Dr. Scott Franklin
Prof. Dr. Kyle Palmquist
Dr. Mario Bretfeld
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forest
  • classification
  • application
  • management
  • communication

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

32 pages, 3634 KiB  
Article
Rapid Ecological Integrity Assessment Metrics to Restore Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity for Shortleaf Pine–Oak Ecosystems
by Carl Nordman, Don Faber-Langendoen and Joanne Baggs
Forests 2021, 12(12), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121739 - 09 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2938
Abstract
Open woodlands dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and oak are historically an important component of the landscape across the southeastern United States. These ecosystems support numerous wildlife species, many of which have declined in recent years as the amount and [...] Read more.
Open woodlands dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and oak are historically an important component of the landscape across the southeastern United States. These ecosystems support numerous wildlife species, many of which have declined in recent years as the amount and condition of their habitat have declined. Land managers and private landowners need guidance on how to efficiently and accurately quantify the condition and wildlife habitat value of the pine stands that they manage. Here we provide a set of rapid assessment metrics, based on NatureServe’s ecological integrity assessment (EIA) method, to (a) identify exemplary tracts that provide the best habitat for key wildlife species, and (b) monitor restoration efforts to assess progress toward the improved quality of existing tracts. To ensure an ecologically appropriate scaling of metrics, we distinguished six types of shortleaf pine–oak woodland: A.—Interior Highlands shortleaf pine–oak (including A.1—shortleaf pine–oak forest and woodlands; A.2—shortleaf pine–bluestem woodlands); B—montane longleaf pine–shortleaf pine woodlands; C—southern Appalachian pine–oak woodlands; D—West Gulf coastal plain shortleaf pine–oak woodlands; and E—southeast coastal plain and Piedmont shortleaf pine–oak woodlands. We relied on a narrative conceptual model and peer review-based indicator selection to identify a core set of 15 stand-level metrics (two were optional). Individual assessment points (thresholds) and ratings (Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor) were developed that were sensitive to the distinct attributes of each of the five shortleaf pine–oak and Appalachian pine–oak types. Values for the metrics can all be collected using rapid field methods, such as using basal area prisms and ocular (visual) estimates of cover. Protocols for the consistent application of these EIA methods are provided. A case study is presented from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. These methods provide improved and rapid EIA metrics for all shortleaf pine–oak ecosystems in the southeastern US to help guide conservation-minded landowners in assessing the biodiversity and priority wildlife values of shortleaf pine–oak and southern Appalachian pine–oak ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Forest Classification)
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15 pages, 4308 KiB  
Article
Quantifying the Representation of Plant Communities in the Protected Areas of the U.S.: An Analysis Based on the U.S. National Vegetation Classification Groups
by Alexa McKerrow, Anne Davidson, Matthew Rubino, Don Faber-Langendoen and Daryn Dockter
Forests 2021, 12(7), 864; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12070864 - 30 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2235
Abstract
Plant communities represent the integration of ecological and biological processes and they serve as an important component for the protection of biological diversity. To measure progress towards protection of ecosystems in the United States for various stated conservation targets we need datasets at [...] Read more.
Plant communities represent the integration of ecological and biological processes and they serve as an important component for the protection of biological diversity. To measure progress towards protection of ecosystems in the United States for various stated conservation targets we need datasets at the appropriate thematic, spatial, and temporal resolution. The recent release of the LANDFIRE Existing Vegetation Data Products (2016 Remap) with a legend based on U.S. National Vegetation Classification allowed us to assess the conservation status of plant communities of the U.S. The map legend is based on the Group level of the USNVC, which characterizes the regional differences in plant communities based on dominant and diagnostic plant species. By combining the Group level map with the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US Ver 2.1), we quantified the representation of each Group. If the mapped vegetation is assumed to be 100% accurate, using the Aichi Biodiversity target (17% land in protection by 2020) we found that 159 of the 265 natural Groups have less than 17% in GAP Status 1 & 2 lands and 216 of the 265 Groups fail to meet a 30% representation target. Only four of the twenty ecoregions have >17% of their extent in Status 1 & 2 lands. Sixteen ecoregions are dominated by Groups that are under-represented. Most ecoregions have many hectares of natural or ruderal vegetation that could contribute to future conservation efforts and this analysis helps identify specific targets and opportunities for conservation across the U.S. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Forest Classification)
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