New national forest rule to focus on restoration of damaged ecosystems
(March 9, 2012)
The Denver Post
“Obama administration officials are emphasizing restoration of degraded ecosystems as they roll out a final new rule for managing the nation’s 193 million acres of forests and grasslands. Thirty years in the making, the rule to be officially issued this month will direct regional foresters to use science and more monitoring to improve conditions, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said in an interview Thursday.”
Global warming has chilling effect on forest budgets
(March 8, 2012)
Real Aspen
“The warming climate is breeding more beetle-ravaged forest and prolonged fire seasons, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell testified before a Senate committee” on Tuesday, March 6th. He noted that in many parts of the country, the first season has recently been 60-70 days longer than in the past. In addition, while the expansion of bark beetles has started to slow, an additional 600,000 acres are still infested each year. Tidwell also fielded questions regarding the proposed agency budget for 2013. “President Obama’s budget requests $4.86 billion for the Forest Service, an increase of less than one-half of one percent over the 2012 appropriated level. The restoration of lands impacted by beetles, disease, fire, urban sprawl and warming temperatures are heavily emphasized.”
Bark beetle outbreaks have mixed impacts on wildlife, researchers say
(March 8, 2012)
Red Lodge Clearinghouse via Greenwire
“While the effects of bark beetle outbreaks on wildlife aren’t well studied yet, Forest Service researchers said yesterday that findings so far suggest that in the short term, species that feed on insects, such as woodpeckers, benefit from bark beetle infestations, while the loss of so many trees over the long term can hurt species such as owls that depend on them for nesting habitat and cover.” This article examines a collection of research on the possible effects of the beetle outbreak on other species.
Oceans Acidifying Faster Today Than in Past 300 Million Years
(March 7, 2012)
Science Daily
New research published this week finds that oceans are acidifying faster today than they ever have before in the 300 million year old geologic record. The ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the air, the gas than reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid. The fear is that continued high levels of emissions and acidification will lead to mass extinction: “if industrial carbon emissions continue at the current pace, we may lose organisms we care about–coral reefs, oysters, salmon.”
Global warming, spread of infected ticks linked
(March 6, 2012)
Vancouver Sun
Global warming is thought to be a factor behind the rapid growth of ticks that can carry lyme disease into parts of Canada where they have not existed before. The report did not specifically link global warming with this trend, but warmer areas are experiencing more rapid growth, and the lead researcher stated that “My opinion is that there probably has been an increase in the spread [of ticks] due to the warming climate.”
Mulling possible outcomes in greenhouse gas cases
(March 5, 2012)
Red Lodge Clearinghouse via Greenwire
This article covers two days of court arguments over U.S. EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations, while “close observers agree the agency’s central finding that underpins the rules is likely to survive review.”
Obama promotes conservation, says economy, energy and American heritage at stake
(March 2, 2012)
Washington Post
President Obama calls the choice between clear water or air and a strong economy a “false choice” while drawing attention to the nation’s parks and open spaces. He stated that the conservation of American attractions and resources creates jobs, assists the recovery and even contributes to less foreign oil dependence.
Reports:
Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on Our National Forests
(February 2012)
USDA Forest Service
This report released last month “outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. As part of the accelerated restoration strategy, $40 million for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects have been announced for the upcoming year. The funding includes ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under the CFLR program in 2010, and an additional $4.6 million to support other high priority restoration projects.” USDA Forest News Release, February 2, 2012.
Infographic:
Greenhouse gas sources, emitters and effects
(February 6, 2012)
High Country News
