Patterns and trends of early successional forests in the eastern United States

We assessed the status of early successional forest conditions for 33 easte rn states within the New England, Middle Atlantic, Great Lakes, Central Pla ins, Coastal South, and Interior South subregions. We used Forest Inventory and Analysis surveys to analyze trends from 1946 to 1998. Dramatic regiona l differences occurred in distribution of early successional forests. The n ortheastern region had the least proportion of young forest (16%), followed by the north-central (24%) and southern (29%) regions. The least amount of young forest occurred in the Central Plains (15%) and New England (16%), w hereas the greatest occurred in the pine-dominated Coastal South (32%), Dif ferences also existed among individual states, ranging from 3% (Illinois) t o 38% (Alabama), Long-term declines also were evident within the northeaste rn and north-central regions. Selective harvesting, fire suppression, urban sprawl, and cessation of agricultural abandonment contributed to the prese nt imbalance in distribution of young forests. Private ownership predominat es in the East and presents a significant challenge to provide young forest s. Absence of proactive management on private lands may promote continued d eclines in early successional forest within many eastern areas.