Forest fragmentation implications for sustainable private forests

Abstract

The long-term trend for private forest in the United States is that of more people owning smaller pieces of wooded land for amenity values. This trend shows no sign of slowing, and indications are that it may be speeding up. The fragmenting of forests into smaller pieces appears to be drven by powerful social and demographic forces that consistently undertax and overserve developed areas, while overtaxing and undeserving traditional rural land uses, such as forestry.