Forest diversity is a term that encompasses ALL life forms found within a forest area and their ecological roles within that system. It has been identified that a biologically diverse forest is a healthy forest. These systems are complex with every organism having its niche or role to play creating an integral "web of life" within that system. This is important to everyone around the globe. Forests provide not only habitat for our wildlife, but also improve water quality, provide us with timber, paper products, medicines, and recreation opportunities. So everyone is not only connected to forests but either directly or indirectly dependent on this resource. Biological forest diversity is important to us all!
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| Diversity is Beautiful |
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Mission:
"To conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research, and education facility."
What this means is that we are global leaders in raptor science and have a direct responsibility to our wildlands that make us a sanctuary. We are designated as a "Stewardship Forest" of Pennsylvania which furthers our responsibility to manage our forests towards maintaining biological diversity.
There are many factors threatening our forests around the world; deforestation, fragmentation, exotic pests, and invasive plants to name a few. Also, many of these factors are often interconnected. Here in Penn's Woods when a road or trail is constructed into a once healthy forest it creates fragmentation. Invasives follow this new disturbance and change that sites plant composition. This in turn alters the biological diversity of the immediate region which then often spreads into undisturbed areas.
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| Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Threatens Diversity |
It is for all the above reasons that we have committed to our integrated invasive plant research project (IPRP). This project entails a minimum commitment of five years on our sanctuary lands. This time period will determine if this dedicated effort utilizing best management practices can make a difference in containing these invasive plants and preserving our native forests. Hawk Mountain is far from doing this alone. There are at this time a few supporters and we will be seeking more over our years of efforts.
You will meet the IPR staff and supporters in future posts. Stay tuned and check in often for updates. Please share our methods and findings with others that are working towards Forest Diversity! Thank you for reading!
Happy Trails,
Todd Bauman
Director of Land & Facilities
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
You will meet the IPR staff and supporters in future posts. Stay tuned and check in often for updates. Please share our methods and findings with others that are working towards Forest Diversity! Thank you for reading!
Happy Trails,
Todd Bauman
Director of Land & Facilities
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
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