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Forest - Direct Threats and Conservation Actions (SWAP)

Residential and Commercial Development

1.1 Housing and Urban Areas

Threats

  1. conversion of forest to urban development
  2. vegetation planted for ornamental purposes can invade adjacent forest
  3. pesticide/herbicide application and drift impacts to adjacent forest habitat
  4. predation of forest wildlife by domestic animals near urban areas
  5. increased noise and light pollution

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forest habitat
  2. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  3. urge ecologically responsible urban planning and zoning
  4. urge ecologically responsible urban and county policies
  5. public education and outreach for native landscaping and management
  6. increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the forest/woodland ecosystem
  7. increase education regarding the impact of free-roaming domestic animals and wildlife conflicts
  8. promote responsible and conscientious use of pesticides

1.2 Commercial and Industrial Areas

Threats

  1. conversion of forest to commercial and industrial development
  2. fragmentation of forest
  3. vegetation planted for ornamental purposes can invade adjacent forest
  4. pesticide/herbicide application and drift impacts to adjacent forest
  5. increased noise and light pollution
  6. increased risk of wildfire
  7. vacant or abandoned commercial and industrial areas

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forest habitat
  2. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  3. urge ecologically responsible planning and zoning
  4. urge ecologically responsible urban and county policies
  5. education and outreach
  6. consolidate new developments to minimize disturbance
  7. promote responsible and conscientious use of pesticides

1.3 Tourism and Recreational Areas

Threats

  1. expanding cabin developments
  2. city campground expansion into forest
  3. golf courses, skill hills

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible planning and zoning
  2. urge ecologically responsible urban and county policies
  3. education and outreach
  4. increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the forest/woodland ecosystem

Agriculture

2.1 Annual and Perennial Non-Timber Crops

Threats

  1. conversion of forest to cropland development
  2. fragmentation of forests due to cropland development
  3. pesticide/herbicide application and drift impacts to adjacent forest habitat
  4. increase in soil erosion and sedimentation from removal of trees
  5. impacts to water table and water infiltration rates, drain tile

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forests, e.g. Forest Stewardship Tax Law
  2. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  3. offer midterm conservation agreements for native forest management and protection
  4. maintain Farm Bill regulatory provisions
  5. offer incentives for wildlife friendly farming, tax-based or direct payments
  6. increase awareness and utilization of forestry best management practices
  7. promote responsible and conscientious use of pesticides

2.2 Wood & Pulp Plantations

Threats

  1. promotes a monoculture of trees
  2. non-native tree expansion

Conservation Action

  1. use forestry best management practices

2.3 Livestock Farming and Ranching

Threats

  1. heavy grazing in and around forests resulting in loss of understory vegetation and prohibits regeneration
  2. disturbance, erosion, and decline in soil health in high livestock traffic areas
  3. conversion of forest to large, confined animal feeding operations
  4. incentives that convert forest to cropland
  5. increase of noxious weeds and invasive plants from poor grazing management practices

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forests, e.g. Forest Stewardship Tax Law
  2. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  3. incentivize good grazing management
  4. manage livestock grazing in sensitive upland forest
  5. offer incentives and programs for alternative water sources, e.g. wells, portable water
  6. promote and support regenerative grazing management
  7. support grazing lands coalitions
  8. use forestry best management practices
  9. feedlot setbacks
  10. promote carbon credits, biodiversity credits
  11. encourage smooth wire, at least for bottom wire, and apply visibility markers (wildlife-friendly fencing)
  12. encourage temporary or virtual fencing when possible
  13. promote responsible livestock practices that minimize disease spread (i.e. double fences, appropriate removal of carcasses, etc.)

Energy Production and Mining

3.1 Oil and Gas Drilling

Threats

  1. conversion of forest to well pads, field or production facilities, access roads
  2. fragmentation of forest to well pads, field or production facilities, access roads
  3. disturbance associated with oil and gas development can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  4. inadequate or improper reclamation
  5. illegal dumping of materials and waste
  6. anthropogenic disturbance to forest associated wildlife, e.g. dust, noise and light pollution
  7. diminished forage quality and plant communities due to increased road dust
  8. increased wildfire risk from drilling and operational activities
  9. social apathy to negative ecological impacts of oil and gas drilling
  10. governance apathy to negative ecological impacts of oil and gas drilling
  11. increased risk of accidental discharge of chemicals or waste

Conservation Action

  1. well pad and facility consolidation, minimize footprint of development
  2. engage in early consultation with the siting of well pads
  3. develop crucial habitat maps or species avoidance areas
  4. follow/implement best management practices
  5. incentivize companies for implementing ecologically sound development
  6. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards and foster relationships with oil companies to stimulate ecologically sound development
  7. urge requirements to promptly reclaim dry or abandoned wells
  8. enforce regulatory compliance and close loopholes which are used to delay or avoid reclamation
  9. public education and outreach
  10. public disclosure of impacts/footprint
  11. research the impacts of oil and gas drilling on forest habitat and wildlife
  12. explore novel alternatives to offset impacts of oil and gas development

3.2 Mining and Quarrying

Threats

  1. conversion of forest to mines or quarries, or for riprap
  2. inadequate or improper reclamation
  3. increase of noxious weeds and invasive plants when forest is mined

Conservation Action

  1. minimize footprint of development (e.g. consolidate disturbance)
  2. suitable reclamation standards
  3. tree mitigation
  4. education and outreach
  5. promote or develop local and state ordinances
  6. delay or halt mining/quarrying for new metals or minerals until local ordinances have been approved

3.3 Renewable Energy

Threats

  1. conversion of forest for alternative fuel crops
  2. fragmentation of forest by wind or solar facilities
  3. direct or indirect mortality of wildlife species from structures
  4. anthropogenic disturbance to forest associated wildlife, e.g. noise, light
  5. increase of noxious weeds and invasive plants when land is disturbed

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forests
  2. engage in early consultation with the siting of well pads
  3. develop crucial habitat maps or species avoidance areas
  4. follow/implement best management practices
  5. incentivize companies for implementing ecologically sound development
  6. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards
  7. urge accountability for ecological impacts
  8. minimize footprint of development
  9. tree mitigation
  10. research to determine best areas for placement to minimize impacts to wildlife
  11. use livestock to control weeds
  12. establish pollinator-friendly plantings under solar arrays

Transportation and Service Corridors

4.1 Roads and Railroads

Threats

  1. conversion of forest to roads and railroads
  2. fragmentation of forest by roads and railroads
  3. anthropogenic disturbance to forest associated wildlife, e.g. dust, noise and light pollution
  4. direct mortality of wildlife species with vehicles or trains
  5. proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  6. road and railway incident secondary effects, e.g. spills and explosions
  7. improper herbicide uses in railroad rights-of-way
  8. potential for wildfires, either accidental or from negligent actions
  9. road salt impacts to roadside plants and rights-of way
  10. inadequate reclamation

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards
  2. appropriate road restrictions, including speed limits
  3. reasonable timing restrictions for construction
  4. use pipelines versus trucking liquids and gas
  5. tree mitigation
  6. use forestry best management practices
  7. maintain natural corridors or construct wildlife accommodations, i.e. jump outs, wildlife crossings, etc.
  8. use native local ecotype seed, including pollinator-friendly, when seeding road rights-of-way

4.2 Utility and Service Lines

Threats

  1. conversion of forest during line development
  2. fragmentation of forest by utility and service lines
  3. disturbance associated with development of utility and service lines can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  4. inadequate reclamation
  5. intensification and accumulation of infrastructure
  6. direct mortality of wildlife species, particularly birds, by collision or electrocution
  7. changes in predator community (i.e. utility poles attract raptors which may increase depredation on other wildlife)

Conservation Action

  1. consolidation corridors, or overlapping easements
  2. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards
  3. engage in early consultation with the siting of utility and service lines
  4. tree mitigation
  5. reasonable timing restrictions for construction
  6. require line marking devices
  7. use avian protection plans or guidance documents to minimize bird/powerline interactions
  8. use native local ecotype seed, including pollinator-friendly, when reseeding easement rights-of-way

Biological Resource Use

5.1 Hunting and Collecting Terrestrial Animals

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to forest associated wildlife, e.g. off-road travel
  2. disturbance/movement can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  3. wildlife value or changing public attitudes towards wildlife, promoting the introduction of nonnative species for hunting
  4. damage to trees from certain tree stands and clearing of trees for shooting lanes
  5. insufficient regulations for collection or harvest of certain wildlife, e.g. reptiles and amphibians
  6. poaching
  7. supplemental feeding
  8. lead ammunition impacts to non-target wildlife

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances
  2. increase enforcement and deterrents
  3. reevaluate or develop regulations pertaining to collection or harvest of certain wildlife, e.g. reptiles and amphibians
  4. encourage using portable tree stands, do not use screw-in steps
  5. public education and outreach
  6. encourage non-toxic ammunition use

5.2 Gathering Terrestrial Plants

Threats

  1. unregulated collection of edible/medicinal plants for commercial use/sale

Conservation Action

  1. increase enforcement and deterrents
  2. public education and outreach

5.3 Logging and Wood Harvest

Threats

  1. unregulated logging

Conservation Action

  1. develop Forest Stewardship Management Plans, follow a silvicultural prescription
  2. use forestry best management practices

5.4 Fishing and Harvesting Aquatic Resources

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to forest associated wildlife, e.g. off-road travel
  2. disturbance/movement can proliferate noxious or invasive weeds
  3. poaching

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances
  2. increase enforcement and deterrents
  3. public education and outreach

Human Intrusions and Disturbance

6.1 Recreational Activities

Threats

  1. damage to forests from off-road vehicles
  2. anthropogenic disturbance to forest associated wildlife, e.g. geocaching unauthorized camping, firewood collection, wildlife harassment (e.g. drones)
  3. trail development through sensitive habitat or key wildlife areas
  4. proliferate noxious or invasive weeds
  5. potential for wildfires, either accidental or from negligent actions
  6. unauthorized recreational shooting/explosive targets

Conservation Action

  1. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines
  2. restrict or eliminate off-road vehicle use in environmentally sensitive areas
  3. engage in early consultation with the siting of recreational areas and trails
  4. public education and outreach

6.2 Military Exercises

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to forest

Conservation Action

  1. support responsible processes

6.3 Work and Other Activities

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to forest

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances
  2. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines

Natural Systems Modifications

7.1 Fire and Fire Suppression

Threats

  1. fire suppression results in poor forest health and increase in wildfire risk or severity due to increased fuel loads
  2. lack of funding for fire management
  3. public resistance to use of prescribed fire/controlled burns
  4. insufficient awareness regarding the advantages of prescribed fire/controlled burns

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to implement prescribed fire
  2. support fire coalitions and cooperative ventures
  3. obtain funding for fire management programs, staff and training
  4. involve and educate rural or local fire departments
  5. public education and outreach
  6. support pro-prescribed fire strategies
  7. research the effects of fire management
  8. promote and use forestry best management practices

7.2 Dams and Water Management/Use

Threats

  1. conversion of forest to impoundment
  2. impoundments may proliferate concentration of salts, heavy metals, etc.
  3. lack of regeneration due to altered hydrology
  4. inappropriate siting of impoundment
  5. dry dams or retention dams
  6. proliferate noxious or invasive weeds
  7. degradation of forest from livestock congregation at dams and impoundments

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forest
  2. offer incentives and programs for alternative water sources, e.g. wells, portable water
  3. reclaim deteriorating dams and dugouts
  4. remove low-head dams
  5. do not develop dry dams or retention dams
  6. education about dynamic water systems and water management
  7. incentivize buffers/exclusion zones
  8. exclude impoundments in ecologically sensitive or inappropriate areas
  9. develop and implement watershed plans

7.3 Other Ecosystem Modification

Threats

  1. diminishing soil health, e.g. compaction and loss of water infiltration

Conservation Action

  1. promote soil health
  2. ecosystem education and awareness

7.4 Removing/Reducing Human Maintenance

Threats

  1. lack of succession
  2. disease
  3. invasive species
  4. loss of indigenous peoples management regimes

Conservation Action

  1. education and outreach
  2. promote and use best management practices
  3. support funding and programs
  4. include indigenous peoples culture and values

Invasive and Problematic Species, Pathogens and Genes

8.1 Invasive Non-Native/Alien Plants and Animals

Threats

  1. spread and proliferation of invasive or detrimental plants, e.g. Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome
  2. spread and proliferation of noxious weeds
  3. spread and proliferation of invasive woody vegetation
  4. spread of invasive insects, e.g. emerald ash borer, Japanese beetle
  5. feral and free-roaming domestic animals

Conservation Action

  1. removal or reduction of invasive or detrimental plants using fire, chemical and mechanical treatments
  2. removal or reduction of noxious weeds using fire, chemical, mechanical and biological treatments
  3. develop recommended plant lists and sources of local ecotype seed
  4. engage the horticultural industry to educate and promote recommended plants and reduce the use of problematic invasive or detrimental plants
  5. public education and outreach
  6. enforce emerald ash borer regulations
  7. follow firewood cutting and movement regulations
  8. support programs and initiatives to reduce or remove feral animals from native habitat
  9. encourage pet owners to keep animals indoors, in an outdoor enclosure, or on a leash, to protect both the welfare of the animal and wildlife
  10. research control or reduction of invasive plants
  11. use forestry best management practices

8.2 Problematic Native Species

Threats

  1. aspen decay
  2. damaging pests, e.g. forest tent caterpillar

Conservation Action

  1. encourage mechanical options for control of pests versus insecticides
  2. maintain or improve forest stand health

8.3 Introduced Genetic Material

Threats

  1. genetically modified plants enable the use of a broad range of pesticides and herbicides
  2. increase of herbicide resistant plants
  3. risk of loss of genetics with plants and wildlife
  4. neonicotinoid effects on non-target organisms

Conservation Action

  1. promote pragmatic use of herbicides and pesticides

8.4 Pathogens & Microbes

Threats

  1. Dutch elm disease
  2. aspen decay

Conservation Action

  1. monitor trees for disease
  2. use fire or mechanical disturbance to encourage aspen regeneration
  3. utilize preventative guidelines
  4. education and outreach

Pollution

9.1 Domestic and Urban Waste Water

Threats

  1. pipeline leaks
  2. inappropriate disposal of untreated sewage
  3. non-point runoff from housing and urban areas, e.g. fertilizer and pesticides from lawns and golf courses

Conservation Action

  1. require pipeline warning system for leak detection
  2. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  3. increase enforcement and deterrents
  4. public education and outreach

9.2 Industrial and Military Effluents

Threats

  1. pipeline leaks, e.g. oil and brine water
  2. oil and brine water spills at production or exploration facilities
  3. oil and brine water spills during transportation
  4. inappropriate disposal of brine water
  5. inappropriate disposal of radioactive waste
  6. coal mining and coal-fired power plant waste seepages

Conservation Action

  1. require pipeline warning system for leak detection
  2. require check valves to contain oil in pipeline in the event of a pipeline rupture
  3. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  4. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  5. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines
  6. support policies to update deteriorating infrastructure

9.3 Agriculture and Forestry Effluents

Threats

  1. fertilizer and pesticide runoff from cropland
  2. runoff from improperly designed or sited feedlots

Conservation Action

  1. require warning system for waste leakage detection
  2. require full containment feedlot runoff control system
  3. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  4. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  5. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines

9.4 Garbage and Solid Waste

Threats

  1. illegal waste sites
  2. litter

Conservation Action

  1. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  2. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines

9.5 Air-borne Pollutants

Threats

  1. dust, e.g. from increased traffic on gravel roads, mines or quarries, coal-fired power plants,
  2. pesticide or herbicide drift
  3. hydrogen sulfide
  4. excess carbon dioxide
  5. wind dispersion of nutrients, pollution, or sediments
  6. wildfire smoke

Conservation Action

  1. require warning system for air-borne pollutant detection
  2. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  3. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines
  4. promote carbon credits

9.6 Excess Energy

Threats

  1. light and thermal pollution causing disturbance to forest associated wildlife, e.g. from natural gas flaring or urban areas
  2. noise pollution, e.g. from increased traffic, work sites
  3. data center disturbance to wildlife, e.g., noise, heat

Conservation Action

  1. improve report and disclosure of incidents
  2. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  3. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines

Geological Events

10.3 Avalanches/Landslides

Threats

  1. land sloughing

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives or programs for sensitive or susceptible land

Climate Change

11.1 Ecosystem Encroachment

Threats

  1. changes in species composition
  2. changes in phenology
  3. changes in species life cycle requirements
  4. timing and intensity of weather events

Conservation Action

  1. alter management plans to adapt to predicted changes
  2. provide habitat connectivity to ease species shifts
  3. research predicted changes and potential impacts
  4. monitor effect of changes, utilize existing data
  5. some change is natural, dynamic landscape

11.3 Changes Temperature Regimes

Threats

  1. proliferates invasive plants
  2. proliferates tree disease
  3. limits management actions
  4. loss of wildlife or plant production
  5. increased mortality of wildlife

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forests

11.4 Changes Precipitation and Hydrological Regimes

Threats

  1. proliferates invasive plants
  2. pests increase
  3. prolonged drought causes tree mortality
  4. increased duration and frequency

Conservation Action

  1. alter management plans

11.5 Severe/Extreme Weather Events

Threats

  1. siltation, sedimentation and erosion
  2. proliferate invasive plants
  3. consequences of urban development in floodplain
  4. high wind events can destroy trees
  5. prolonged flooding causes tree mortality

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore forests
  2. incentivize buffers
  3. prohibit development in the floodplain
  4. oppose dry dams, drainage projects

Other

12.1 Human Dimensions

Threats

  1. social apathy of the value of the healthy forests and ecosystem services they provide
  2. lack of knowledge of the forest ecosystem

Conservation Action

  1. increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of forests and ecosystem services
  2. public education and outreach
  3. provide demonstration sites
  4. incorporate forest education into K-12 classrooms
  5. human dimension research/surveys
  6. promote North Dakota Natural Areas Registry
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