Forest Roads A Synthesis Of Scientific Information

Effects of roads in forested ecosystems span direct physical and ecological ones (such as geomorphic and hydrologic effects), indirect and landscape level ones (such as effects on aquatic habitat, terrestrial vertebrates, and biodiversity conservation), and socioeconomic ones (such as passive-use value, economic effects on development and range management). Road effects take place in the contexts of environmental settings, their history, and the state of engineering practices, and must be evaluated in those contexts for best management approaches.

Road effects (RE) in forested ecosystems span direct physical and ecological ones (such as geomorphic and hydrologic effects), indirect and landscape level ones (such as effects on aquatic habitat, terrestrial vertebrates, and biodiversity conservation), and socioeconomic ones (such as passive-use value, econ. effects on develop. and range mgmt.). RE take place in the contexts of environ. settings, their history, and the state of engin. practices, and must be eval. in those contexts for best mgmt. approaches. This report identifies known and hypothesized road-related issues and summarizes the scientific info. available about them. Suggests both potential compatible uses and potential problems and risks.