Examples are the edge between various forests or land uses and the presence of aquatic systems. Michigan's forests continue to mature and regenerate. This process alters the forest's structure continually. One measure of this process is reflected in the statewide forest inventory. The trend towards maturity in Michigan's forests provides a variety of management opportunities, such as managing for old growth attributes, harvesting mature trees, improving structural diversity, or regenerating young forests.
Forests dominate Michigan's landscape.
Originally intended for industrial wood production, this classification provides a good measure of the forest's potential to produce a wide array of goods and services. This is the first increase since European settlement. Certain tree species in the forest grow near one another due to similar soil, moisture, climate and terrain. These tree species communities are called forest types. They include 312,000 individuals with an average ownership of 27.6 acres.