Watershed Approach to
Forest Conservation
by
The Center for Watershed Protection
www.cwp.org
www.stormwatercenter.net
Slideshow Content
 Why is forest conservation important?
 Selecting, evaluating and prioritizing sites
for conservation
 Summary
Why is Forest Conservation
Important?
 Forests can:
– Reduce stormwater
runoff
– Provide wildlife habitat
and migratory corridors
– Improve air quality
– Reduce urban heat
island effect
 Fragmentation reduces
interior habitat
Table 2. Hydrologic and Water Quality Benefits of Trees
Benefit
Per Tree Annual Quantification
of Benefit
Source and Description
Rainfall Interception
500 - 760 gallons of water
Annual rainfall interception by a
large deciduous front yard tree
(CUFR, 2001)
Evapotranspiration
100 gallons of water
Transpiration rate of poplar trees for
one growing season (EPA, 1998)
Nitrogen Uptake
0.05 pounds nitrogen
Based on daily rate of nitrogen
uptake by poplar trees (Licht, 1990)
NOx (from air)
1 lbs per year
Component of acid rain and nutrient
runoff (CUFR, 2001)
O3 (Ozone)
4 lbs per year
Ground level ozone hazardous to
human health (CUFR, 2001)
Particulates
3 lbs per year
Pollutants are linked to respiratory
problems (asthma and diseases)
(CUFR, 2001)
CO2
48 lbs per year
Increase is root cause in climate
change (CUFR, 2001)
Carbon
13 lbs per year
Carbon sequestration by tree
incorporation (Coder, 1996)
Temperature
reduction
Reduction of 3 to 8 degrees
Celsius (multiple trees)
Multiple benefits for health, reduce
energy costs, stream temp (CUFR,
2001)
Table 2-1. Declining Bird Species from Priority Habitats in Virginia and the Eastern US
Primary Breeding Habitat
Riparian (Streamside)
Woodlands
Location of Population Concern
Species
(Common Name)
VA and Eastern U.S
Black-billed cuckoo
Virginia
Yellow warbler
Eastern U.S
Belted kingfisher
Acadian flycatcher
Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain
Prothonotory warbler
Interior Forest Sensitive to
Fragmentation
Deciduous/Coniferous
Forest (DCF)
VA and Eastern US
Wood Thrush
Virginia
Kentucky warbler
Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain
Worm-eating warbler
VA and Eastern U.S.
Eastern wood pewee
Grey catbird
Eastern U.S.
Red-headed woodpecker
Downy woodpecker
VA and Eastern U.S
Eastern kingbird
Common yellowthroat
Natural Field Habitat
Indigo bunting
Eastern U.S.
Northern bobwhite
Savannah sparrow
Eastern meadowlark
Wetlands
VA and Eastern U.S
Red-winged blackbird
Eastern U.S.
Green heron
Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain
Black duck
Source: BBS (USGS, 2000) and Priority Management Species for the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain (Pashley et al., 2000)
Examples of Species Sensitive to Fragmentation
Selecting and Evaluating Forest
Conservation Sites
 Step 1. Desktop Analysis
 Step 2. Field Assessment
 Step 3. Prioritization
Step 1. Desktop Analysis
Review Inventories:
•US Fish and Wildlife
•NWI
•Natural Heritage Program
•State resource agencies
•Local planning office
•County inventories
•Historic site registries
•Breeding bird surveys
•Studies by universities or other
institutions
Obtain Mapping:
•Wetlands
•Forest
•Aerials
•RTE Species
•Land Ownership/Parcels