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- Info
Problems and prospects at the urban-forest interface
| Author: |
Shands, William E. |
| Date: |
1991 |
| Periodical: |
Journal of Forestry |
| Abstract: |
In 1982 Henry J. Vaux, then chair of the California State Board of Forestry, observed that conflicts between residential development and forest management were increasing and warned that they "may well become more intense and complex in the future" (Vaux 1982, p. 37). He gave currency to the term "urban-forest interface" as shorthand for an array of complex problems arising from residential development in and near forests. Profound social, economic, and political changes are taking place that affect the forest manager's ability to provide traditional forest goods and services. These changes are most acutely evident at the interface between urban like development and forested lands. In this new environment, the public questions foresters' fundamental concepts of the purposes of forests and the objectives of management. Foresters are being challenged to apply their knowledge and experience to help people enjoy the wildland environment and prosper in it, while simultaneously providing the goods and services required from it by society generally. That the issues associated with urban like development of forested lands are indeed becoming more intense, complex, and visible is evidenced by recent articles, conferences, and workshops on topics related to urban-forest interactions, especially fire, and speeches by forestry leaders (Reid 1986, Webster 1988). More recently, researchers found that "problems associated with the wildland/residential/urban interface" ranked among the top emerging issues identified by national forest supervisors and district rangers (Jakes et al. 1990). |
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