Forest Health Monitoring Program Guidelines

By Martha Allen


Healthy forests are vital for the existence of the humanity and other animals in the world. This is why Forest Health Monitoring or FHM program was established. The specific mandate was to keep tract of extent, severity and causes of changes in the conditions of forests around US. The program employs Detection Monitoring signals that give early signs of changes so that fast action can be taken.

The mandate of FHM is long term. It uses such short term tenets as insect infestation and disturbance to forecast and mitigate long term damage. This program also focuses on the widespread damages on forested areas and their ecosystems as well as those damages that are unexpected. The program also monitors and follows up changes with the aim of predicting future occurrences.

There are forested areas under states while others lie under the federal government. FHM coordinates the activities of governments at these two levels. The idea is to provide a comprehensive approach to protection of forests in US. The use of both biotic and abiotic data ensures that models developed make it easier to understand forests and thus keep them healthy.

Behind all the activities carried out through FHM program is a desire to protect the ecosystem from damage. Some of the tools used include ground and aerial surveys covering all or specific areas in forests. Whenever abnormal changes are detected or the status of a certain area is discovered to have changed, action can be taken early. The process is taxing and requires both predictive and retrospective approach. Data captured in the past is compared to better understand different phenomenon.

There are areas that require intense or specialized attention for particular reasons. FHM provides a perfect environment and tools for such. This is mainly to conduct research and monitor certain scenarios. An example is where one would like to understand soil and ecosystem changes when calcium is depleted from the soil. Forest and environmental management bodies will thus understand better how to deal with such situations.

FHM is tasked with developing new and sharpening existing monitoring techniques. The idea is to improve on indicators and thus make it easier, faster and more certain to detect changes. Invasive species thus are easier to deal with before they destroy an entire ecosystem. When spatial data is taken indicators of the health of a section will point at the next best cause of action. The new techniques are also used to revisit old scenarios to understand them better.

Since Forest Service does not monopolize the management of forests, there is need to share and collaborate. FHM works in conjunction with other bodies involved in managing forests and natural resources to enhance their capacities. This is through surveys and reports that offer guidance on the best practices in keeping forests healthy. This convergence of institutions and experts in forestry makes their management easier, accurate and more predictable.

FHM produces reports on forests focusing of emerging issues from time to time. This is their way of ensuring comprehensive, data based and informed way of guaranteeing the well being of forests throughout US. When all stake holders bring their expertise to the table, forests become healthier and easier to manage.




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