Iowa's forests, 1999-2003
2006
Leatherberry, Earl C.
The first completed annual inventory of Iowas forests reports more than 2.6 million acres, nearly matching what was present in 1954. Most of Iowas forest stands are fully or moderately stocked, suggesting that for the near term stands are capable of supplying timber for the State's wood products industry. The increasing number of shade-tolerant species may lead to less tree species diversity in Iowas forest stands in the future, as shade-intolerant species are no longer able to compete in a more shady environment. Many oak-dominated stands are at the successional stage where harvest is economically advantageous, yet they contain a greater proportion of area in the older age classes. Annual net growth of growing stock has more than doubled since the 1980s. The lack of significant disturbances in hardwood stands has not adequately opened stands to necessary seedling development. As fewer young oak move up in age, mast-dependent wildlife species may decline.
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