Forest Health Research Needs Survey

This report documents an ecological assessment of forest ecosystem health in the Southwest. The assessment focuses at the regional level and mostly pertains to lands administered by the National Forest System. Information is presented for use by forest and district resource managers as well as collaborative partners in the stewardship of Southwestern forests. The report establishes a scientific basis for conducting forest health projects, provides a context for planning ecosystem restoration, and contributes to the understanding of the physical, biological, and human dimensions of these ecosystems. Chapters describe Southwestern forest ecosystems of the past, changes since the Colonial Period, and the implications of those changes for the health of current and future forests. Opportunities, tools, and research needs for improving ecosystem sustainability are also identified.

This report describes a survey taken to obtain input from major clients of the Forest Renewal Group at the Ontario Forest Research Institute to review and plan a research and development strategy. The survey was conducted to identify key research needs and ways to improve the group's technology transfer to its clients. Of the 133 forms distributed, 98 were completed and returned from 13 container and 9 bareroot nurseries, 13 Forest Management Agreement holders, and 63 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources sources. Respondents were categorized by OMNR administrative region and group and regional and group influences were identified in each section.

Presents results of a survey designed to identify the primary information needs of Southern Interior Forest Extension & Research Partnership clients, to define the key barriers limiting access to relevant information, to determine the perceived quality of and users' trust in various sources of information, and to understand better the opinions of Partnership clients regarding the alternative presentation formats and different options for the dissemination of selected information types. The Partnership target population included forestry licensees, private consultants and contractors, provincial governments, researchers in academia and the federal government, First Nations, and non-governmental organizations. This survey report addresses such questions as: the primary goals of a southern interior extension service; information needs of different groups of Partnership members; usefulness for information exchange of linkages between research- and operations-based sectors of the Partnership; the effect of variations in the presentation of information on the use of that information; and preferred methods of delivery or transmission of information. A copy of the survey questionnaire is appended.

Forests are major components of the earth's natural resources and they are increasingly critical to the welfare of the U.S. economy, environment, and population. Desires to improve forest management and productivity, preserve biodiversity, maintain ecologic integrity, and provide societal services, such as recreation and tourism, necessitate a strong forestry-research base. Given the clear importance of forestry research in sustaining forests for the future, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service asked the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources of the National Academies to undertake a study of the nation's capacity in forestry research. The Committee on National Capacity in Forestry Research was appointed to carry out the study, which was conducted to review the current expertise and status of forestry research and to examine the approaches of natural resources education and forestry-research organizations to meet future needs.