At the Colorado State Forest Service, we use data gathered through our monitoring program to support effective forest management practices. Monitoring provides a wealth of valuable information for how we can improve our management practices to support forest health into the future.
Monitoring involves observing and collecting data on our forests over time. This is a crucial part of a broader approach known as adaptive management, where we learn from our decisions to make more informed choices in the future.
Colorado’s forests are diverse, so it’s important that we learn how certain management decisions work in different situations. Through monitoring, we gather data on a range of variables, such as species composition, density, disturbances, climate conditions or topography, at sites where we or our partners manage Colorado’s forests. By studying how management actions at these sites, such as thinning or reforestation, affect forests, we can be better prepared for an uncertain future.
The CSFS has a long history of assessing forest health concerns and providing recommendations for future forest management. Our recently established monitoring program focuses on reviewing the effects of forest management treatments according to a landowner’s desired goals and objectives, such as reducing wildfire risk. This helps us see how treatments affect forests and, over time, integrate this knowledge into practice to adapt and respond to new situations.
Each year, CSFS forest health and forest management monitoring crews travel throughout the state. They collect data related to forest management actions and forest health concerns, like insect and disease outbreaks. This information drives our evidence-based approach and helps us learn what works and how we can better achieve desired goals and objectives.
For example, we can help lessen the risk of an insect outbreak in individual stands by reducing tree density through forest management. Thinning the forest decreases competition for resources, such as sunlight and water, and increases the ability for the remaining trees to grow and thrive. In addition, we can place pheromone packets on trees to discourage insects from attacking them. Monitoring can help us understand the effectiveness of these treatments in reducing an insect outbreak, while also suggesting potential improvements to future treatments.
Colorado’s forests have variations in species type, elevation, topography, disturbances, land-use history, soils and climate. This diversity in our forests creates complex and unique situations for every area. Even in forests that seem similar, there can be unique differences that suggest a one-size-fits-all approach will not work.
For example, consider piñon-juniper forests – one of the largest forest types by acreage in Colorado. Within this broad classification, there are differences in the frequency and intensity of wildland fire within piñon-juniper forests that are related to the intrinsic features of individual stands. So, even while stands may share similarities, observing the ecological differences and responding with appropriate management actions presents challenges to land managers.
Similarly, ponderosa pine has traits that enable it to survive low and moderate severity fire. Lodgepole pine, while often appearing in areas with ponderosa pine, has traits that enable it to regenerate after higher severity wildfire. It’s important to address traits like these when managing overlapping areas and developing management actions that address a landowner’s goals and objectives.
The specific conditions of individual project sites determine the appropriate management objectives. For instance, a watershed protection project may require a different approach than a forest restoration project. Monitoring offers critical information on these variables. When paired with information from prior projects, this helps achieve the best result for project objectives with similar conditions.
Monitoring is an essential process in relation to climate change and its effects on forest disturbances, such as insects and disease or wildfire. The effects of climate change are complex, and models of future potential climatic conditions change as we observe new trends in data. This emphasizes the importance of monitoring real-world scenarios to enhance how we approach these challenges.
Every day, insights we gather through our monitoring program inform how we manage Colorado’s forests and help landowners achieve their goals. Take, for example, the Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) grant program, which supports community efforts for wildfire risk reduction, forest health and restoration at the local level.
With FRWRM-funded projects, the CSFS works with private landowners and grantees to understand forest conditions before taking management action. Insights gleaned from our monitoring program help guide the best course of action to meet the grantee’s objectives, which is particularly important when protecting residential areas from wildfire in the wildland-urban interface. By monitoring active FRWRM-funded projects and using insights to inform future projects, we adapt our management statewide to better protect homes and properties from wildfire while improving forest health.
Over time, this process advances adaptive management practices to promote future healthy forests in Colorado for all of us.
As forest management projects move forward, monitoring and collecting data allow the CSFS and other land managers to determine what’s working and what lessons can be learned. This guidance is beneficial to all levels of forestry professionals. Over time, this process advances adaptive management practices to promote future healthy forests in Colorado for all of us.
When foresters complete forest management and fuels reduction treatments, they sometimes pile up the leftover, non-merchantable material. Trained Colorado State Forest Service personnel then burn these piles as an economical and effective method of disposing of excess wildland fire fuels.
World Wildlife Day is an annual celebration on March 3 about the connection between people and our planet’s biodiversity. Maintaining healthy forests is critical to keeping both wildlife and wildlife watchers happy.
CSFS foresters selectively cut and deliver the State Capitol holiday tree every year.
