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16 March 2017

A Summary Of The Forest Health Monitoring Program

By Martha Allen


Healthy forests are vital for the existence of the humanity and other animals in the world. This is why Forest Health Monitoring or FHM program was established. The specific mandate was to keep tract of extent, severity and causes of changes in the conditions of forests around US. The program employs Detection Monitoring signals that give early signs of changes so that fast action can be taken.

Though FHM has a long term responsibility, there are short term indicators like infestation by insects or disturbances that they monitor on short term basis. In case damage on some sections is wide spread or the ecosystem has experienced drastic change, it is the responsibility of FHM to follow up and institute restorative action. The data collected in all these occurrences is used to predict and take greater charge of the future.

Protecting forests requires and involves a combination of both state and federal agencies. All the data available is used to develop a comprehensive view of how healthy forests are across US. This is the best way to capture early signs and take action before further damage can befall this ecosystem. Both biotic and abiotic data is used in developing models that help to understand forests and how to keep them healthy.

The major activities of FHM involve detection of early signs of trouble. This is done through sophisticated tools and standardized aerial and ground surveys. This evaluation helps to detect abnormal changes and the status of forests from time to time. It is an engaging process that also relies on the experiences recorded about the areas from the past. Through comparison, one can confirm or deny the changes to facilitate further action.

Some areas, due to special factors may demand intense or specialized attention. This is the reason special attention and intensity is given to such areas. Such specialized or intense attention is usually on commission. For instance, an institution may want to study what happens when calcium is depleted from a section of the forest. FHM uses the resulting data to develop models for other areas.

Environmental changes demand sharpening of monitoring tools and techniques. With better techniques and tools, future incidences are easier to deal with. Prediction also becomes easier, faster and more precise. For example, it becomes easier to detect an invasive species or introduce and manage it. The use of spatial data enables more predictable and concrete management of different environments. Data in combination with better and sharper monitoring tools and techniques make it easy to understand different occurrences.

The program synthesizes information obtained from different sources and centers regarding forests. It collaborates with external sources and organizations to generate reports that are guided by issues. The reports focus on changes in forests and how to enhance the status of species or the entire ecosystem. By bringing together multi-level government agencies, forests can be protected through an all rounded approach.

Reports produced by FHM also aid in dealing with emerging issues. In this way, forests receive an all rounded approach in management, making them healthier. This is the way to guarantee their survival throughout the US. With expertise drawn from all bodies involved in management of forests, their health is secured.




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