Special Report No. 06-06: A Primer on the Top Ten Forest Environmental and Sustainability Issues in the Southern United States

Key environmental and sustainability issues for the forest industry in the southern United States are reviewed by paired policy specialists and scientists. These key issues include Best Management Practices and water quality; nutrients; forest certification; biodiversity; conservation planning; managing competing vegetation, invasive species, and fuel loads; forest ecosystem services; forest inventory and analysis; global climate change; and technology and biotechnology advances. Each of these topics includes a discussion about the political and economic significance of the issue, our scientific understanding, and remaining research needs.