The USDA Forest Service and BLM manage approximately of forest land in the United States.
: Account for roughly 80 million acres (45% of total federal forest land).
: Abundance of large, older trees that have moved past the initial "self-thinning" young stage. land mature
: The Forest Service manages the majority, with 67.4 million acres of mature forest and 24.4 million acres of old-growth. Defining "Mature" Land
: Significant accumulation of aboveground biomass and standing dead wood (snags). Strategic Importance & Threats The USDA Forest Service and BLM manage approximately
Mature forests are a developmental stage that precedes old-growth. While definitions vary by forest type, general indicators include:
Mature lands are vital for because older trees store vast amounts of carbon. : The Forest Service manages the majority, with 67
: Account for roughly 32 million acres (18% of total federal forest land).