TASK B: A survey of the condition of Indian forest lands, including health and productivity levels.
IFMAT I – 1993 II – 2003 III - 2013
Recommendation Implementation Status
Recommendations in Response to Task B Findings
Ecosystem Management
Apply ecosystem management as an overall approach to protecting the health and productivity of Indian forests. (Recommendation 1, page V-25)
Partially implemented, but more emphasis on the principles of ecosystem management needs to be included in forest management activities. Partially implemented through longer rotations and uneven-aged management. Thinning backlog continues to be a constraint. Some adaptation strategies for climate change are being adopted.
I
Create heterogeneity in the landscape in terms of forest types, age/size of trees, and structural conditions that fit appropriately to the topography, reflect a tribal vision for diverse ecosystem services, and increase landscape resiliency to climate change. (Recommendation B5, page 111) Monitoring Establish a regular BIA state-of-the-resource report including assessments of marketing, economics, woodlands, and climate change that would incorporate a protocol for continuing data acquisition (with specific reference to NIFRMA questions). (IFMAT III – The Indian Forest Resource – F1., page 41) Develop, fund, and implement a program for monitoring the long-term effects of resource management activities. (Recommendation 3, page V-26) Continue to improve tribal inventory and monitoring capabilities (e.g., staff and funding). To ensure local and comprehensive understanding of resource productivity, health, and potential to meet the needs of tribes. (Recommendation B1, page 111)
III
This has not been established.
III
Long-term monitoring, other than CFI is still lacking on many tribal forests. Due to significant underfunding of Tribal forestry programs and with other priorities, it is difficult to implement monitoring activities.
I
III
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Recruit a corps of professional ecologists, comparable to Forest Service area and regional ecologists, to provide the necessary guidance for developing and applying ecosystem management, including ecological classifications. (Recommendation B6, page V-26) Analyze and implement watershed and stream restoration programs. (Recommendation B8, page V-27) Fund an independent study through ITC to further define the nature and impacts of urbanization on reservations including accurate assessment of acreage changes and reservation population change. (Recommendation B2, page 61) Encourage and fund interdisciplinary and cross boundary collaboration to enable cooperative landscape-level wildlife management activities. (Recommendation B3, page 61)
All disciplines within forest management programs are
I
understaffed. Significant challenges exist in the recruitment and retention of more professionals (see Task C).
Partially implemented. Mostly funded from grant programs.
I
Not implemented
II
Implemented and expanding through other federal agencies. At some locations, initiation of cross boundary projects by tribes is gaining traction.
II
A-36 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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