The Forest Service's Piiion-Juniper
Initiative for the Southwest
Larry
Thanks to Jim Boca, Jeff Kline, and other members of the
New Mexico State Land
for inviting us to join with them
in sponsoring this symposium. I am happy to be with you here
today. I'm here to demonstrate my interest in healthy productive
piiion-juniper ecosystems.
Each acre of land is a treasure to some peson or group of
people. Every acre is part of a bigger ecosystem and plays a
function in the larger system. When any part of the system is
not functioning to its natural potential, the whole system is out
of balance.
Of course, we are part of this system. As populations grow
around the world, we make an ever increasing demand on the
land. Although most of modem society lives in cities, we are
still tied to the land. Many of us tend to forget these ties. Our
fast-paced lives place an increasing demand on the system. Our
need for products and other values from the land is increasing
as our populations grow. We must keep the basic components
of the system - soil, water, air and vegetation - in optimum
condition if we are to have a quality environment for future
generations.
Public lands, including National Forest lands can and do play
an important role in the larger system. These lands help provide
for the needs of our generation and keep options open to future
generations.
A large percentage of the public lands in the Southwest are in
systems that include piiion and juniper trees as a major component
of the vegetation About one-third of the 33 million acres of national
forest is in the piiion-juniper ecosystem People have lived in and
near piiion-juniper for thousands of years and the demands grow
as our populations grow. Some 3 112 million a m , or half of the
piiion-juniper in the national forests of the southwest are classified
in unsatisfactory soil and watershed condition
The pmtection of National Forest watersheds and soils is one
of the primary purposes for establishing the national forest
system We must do better at fdfilling this purpose in the
piiion-juniper. Although there are many unanswered questions
about piiion-juniper ecosystems, we have the necessary
knowledge and technology to begin making major
improvements.
Much of the pifion-juniper is out of balance, so natural
processes such as plant competition, fire, and herbivore use can
no longer function as they did before our cultures made heavy
'
Regional Forester. USDA Forest Service. southwestern Region,
Albuquerque, NM.
ens on'
demands. These processes functioned to maintain more open
tree canopies, vegetative protective soil cover, and animal and
plant diversity. Many stands today are dense and highly
susceptible to insect and disease attacks.
Along with our historic mission of protecting soils and
watersheds, our public is demonstmting a growing interest in
improved management in the piiion-juniper. Wildlife and
ranching interests in both states want to improve forage
conditions in the woodlands. Fuelwood cutters, piiion nut
harvesters, and huntets also want better management of the
piiion-juniper.
Bringing piiion-juniper ecosystems into balance can help
resolve issues such as water quality and availability, competition
between wildlife and domestic livestock, biological diversity,
riparian condition, and local lifestyle conflicts. We can provide
additional products. Opportunities in the piilon-juniper also
include enhancing recreation opportunities and protecting
archaeological sites.
To redeem our stewardship responsibilities, we are
implementing a major initiative to manage the piiion-juniper
ecosystems on national forests in this region.
Our desired future conditions for the pliion-juniper will be
defined by our social and cultural, economic, and ecosystem
needs. Any desired fhture we describe must include a sustaining
healthy ecosystem. Such an ecosystem is characterized by
decreased erosion, improved water infiltration into the soil,
improved soil organic content, a mix of herbaceous understory,
a mosaic of vegetative conditions on the landscape, healthy
riparian areas, and a diversity of wildlife species.
We are looking for partners to help us reach the desired future
condition They should provide a broad base of public support
and experience for management actions. These partners include
the State Land Department's Game and Fish Departments, State
Universities, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
We must improve piiion-juniper woodland management in the
southwest while recognizing the inherent values, including
cultural values, of the piiion-juniper ecosystem. Now is the time
for innovative ecosystem-based management.
Partnerships are available involving interest groups, research,
managers, and educators. We are working to assure that
direction, funding, and technology are available to implement
our initiative. I'm committed to this initiative and I ask your
commitment also. Together, we can make a ~ i ~ c achange
n t
in soil resowes and watersheds that will be appreciated by
future generations in the Southwest.