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| Area and Volume of forests |
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Since the
cutover era, Wisconsin�s forests have
recovered dramatically. The state now supports a wide array of
healthy forest ecosystems. Forested land has grown significantly,
but the composition of those forests is very different. |
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Species that have commercial value for wood or
paper have taken precedence over the pre-settlement diversity.1
Shade tolerant
hardwoods are the most abundant
type of tree; Aspen-birch forests are decreasing because of
succession. Over 70% of Wisconsin�s forests occur in the north on
only a little over 50 % of the land. |
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Wisconsin now has approximately 16 million of
its 34.7 million acres, or 46 percent of its land in forest. Forests
in Wisconsin are growing at a rate that exceeds the harvest rate, by
36% in 2001.
Between 1983 and 1996 Wisconsin forestland increased by (4%) 610,000
acres, equivalent to about 953 square miles. Overall
growing stock
volume increased by 12%; this was due mostly to agricultural
land converting back to forest.2
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Although our forests have partially recovered
from the cutover, they face a new threat of fragmentation.3 |
| Area of
forestland in Wisconsin |
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| The green bars are historical estimates. The pink bars are from regular forest inventories. |
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Information that describes the amount of
forestland and how it is changing will help your community decide
how much forestland needs to be protected.
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