The recovery of the forests of the northeastern United States during the past 150 years is remarkable. Forest now covers the stone walls, cellars and roads of an earlier agricultural society. The resurgence of the eastern hardwood forest provides optimists with compelling evidence of the resiliency and endurance of natural systems. At the same time, the new forests face severe and unprecedented threats. Introduced pathogens and insect pests remove one species of tree after another from entire regions.
Acid rain changes the quality of the forest soil, potentially stunting the growth of plants.
Housing developments and roads break the continuity of the forest, and timber harvesting intensifies in some of the largest expanses of forest. Only a careful assessment of the overall impact of these disturbances and of the extent of forest recovery will permit us to effectively manage the northeastern forest. Our speakers have distinctly different perspectives on the forest and its problems, including its history and a variety of factors that threaten forest health and continuity. They will present their view in a series of 30-minute talks. Through these diverse analyses we hope to gain a perspective which can help create sustainable management strategies for this vast forest region.