Forest Health

Craig Highfield, Forestry for the Bay Program Manager, explains how a healthy forest works and why they are so important to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. (Matt Rath/Chesapeake Bay Program)

FAQ

What are forest buffers?

Forest buffers are the trees, shrubs and other plants that grow next to streams and rivers.

How much pollution can forests absorb?

Streamside forests or riparian forest buffers can reduce the amount of nutrient pollution entering waterways by as much as 30 to 90 percent. Forests can also capture more than 85 percent of the nitrogen that falls onto them from the air.

How do forest buffers benefit the Chesapeake Bay?

Forest buffers are critical to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Forest buffers prevent pollution from entering rivers and streams, stabilize stream banks, provide food and habitat to wildlife and keep streams cool during hot weather. More than half of the watershed’s native species depend on forest buffers for food, shelter and access to water at some point in their lives. And sensitive aquatic species depend on the shade that streamside trees provide.

How do forest buffers protect water quality?

Forest buffers prevent polluted runoff from entering rivers and streams. Forest buffers also hold soil in place, stabilizing stream banks and reducing the amount of sand, silt and sediment that can wash into waterways.

How many acres of forest are lost in the Chesapeake Bay region each day?

Between 1982 and 1997, the Bay watershed lost more than 750,000 acres of forestland—about 100 acres per day. In 2006, this rate fell to an estimated 70 acres per day, but it remains unsustainable.

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Terms

Forest parcelization

The division and sale of privately owned forestland into smaller pieces owned by more landowners.

Forest fragmentation

A form of habitat fragmentation occurring when large patches of forest are cut down in a manner that leaves smaller patches of trees standing. Forest fragmentation can be caused by wildfires or by the intentional clearing of trees to make room for roads and development, and can make it difficult for some species to breed or find food.

Urban forest

The system of trees and associated plants that grow in small groups or under forest conditions on public and private lands in cities, suburbs and towns. This includes the approximately 74.4 billion trees in the U.S. that are located in parks, along streets and around private homes and businesses.

Riparian forest buffers

Trees, shrubs and other vegetation located along the edge of rivers, streams and other waterways that filter pollution, prevent erosion and provide wildlife habitat.

Deforestation

The removal of a forest, woodland or stand of trees without adequate replanting or natural regeneration.

Land use

The way land is used by humans. Forest, agricultural land and urban/suburban land are all land uses.

Canopy

The top layer of a forest. The canopy shades and protects the plants and animals below it, while intercepting and slowing rainfall.

Reforestation

The natural or intentional restoration of a forest, woodland or stand of trees that had been lost due to fire, cutting or other method of deforestation.

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