Title: Explore trends and threats related to Virginia forests.
Course: Forestry Management (18502-I) > Section: Exploring Forest Trends, Threats, and Conditions

Exploration should include

- development (e.g., urbanization)
- invasive species
- changing markets for lumber and pulp
- underutilized sustainability programs and policies (e.g., stewardship programs, landowner assistance programs)
- land-use changes
- social perspectives on forests and harvesting
- vulnerability to climate disruption
- tax issues
- forest fragmentation
- lack of markets
- natural disasters (e.g., wildfires)
- harvesting techniques.

Process/Skill Questions:

- How do societal perspectives influence a forest manager's decisions?
- Which species can be grown quickly, in short rotations?
- How do invasive species affect native forests?
- How can conservation easements be used to preserve forested land?
- How has legislation (e.g., the Endangered Species Act) affected timber production and forest management decisions?
- How do human activities affect species composition in a forest?