Status and progress in large-scale assessments of the productive capacity of forest ecosystems in the United States

Abstract

The Montreal Process is a forest sustainability reporting framework adopted by 12 temperate- boreal nations consisting of 7 basic criteria and 64 indicators. This article focuses specifically on criterion 2, maintenance of the productive capacity of forest ecosystems, and its five indicators: area of forestland and net forestland available for timber production; growing stock and annual increment on forest available for timber production; area, percent, and volume in plantations; and annual removals of nonwood forest products (NWFP). We compare historic and current inventory processes, discuss the implications of each, present criterion 2 indicator highlights, and identify gaps in our current knowledge. In general, the productive capacity of US forests is strong. Forest and timberland areas have been stable for over 50 years, net growth continues to exceed removals, growing stock volume is up 51% since 1953, and planted forests continue to increase in area and provide a larger share of the nation's annual wood production. NWFPs continue to be difficult to track but progress has been made. © 2011 by the Society of American Foresters.