Forests Past, Present and Future

Almost all of the northeastern forest was cut down for lumber, growing crops, or grazing farm animals when the United States was colonized. Yet, today, we have more forest in the northeast than we did 200 years ago. What does the type of trees, the growth form of trees, and other signs of past human habitation tell you about what the forest you are standing in was used for in the past? How can you “read” the signs to make a hypothesis as to the land’s previous usage? I will introduce you to two wonderful books by Tom Wessels that will aid us in doing just that. We will also delve into some current problems with local forests and what they might look like in the future.

Club member Victor S. Lamoureux is a biology professor at SUNY Broome and was introduced to this material as a student of Dick Andrus’ at Binghamton University. It has always fascinated him and he teaches the material to his ecology students each spring.

Join us online using this link to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86125429140?pwd=N2pjMy9mU3RBZTFSZ1JiVGpyam9mUT09 
Meeting ID: 861 2542 9140     Passcode: 948386

You will be able to join the meeting beginning at 7:00pm and the talk will begin at 7:15pm.