US Forest Service report forecasts natural resource management trends and challenges for next 50 years

A comprehensive U.S. Forest Service report released today examines the ways expanding populations, increased urbanization,and changing land-use patterns could profoundly impact natural resources, including water supplies, nationwide during the next 50 years. Significantly, the study shows the potential for significant loss of privately-owned forests to development and fragmentation, which could substantially reduce benefits from forests that the public now enjoys including clean water, wildlife habitat, forest products and others.