Active stewardship of forests is critical for creating healthy, sustainable ecosystems. This chapter covers the qualities and benefits of health forests as well as a range of management opportunities and challenges.
Grasslands and meadows are important habitat for pollinators, grassland birds, and other wildlife. However, a decrease in disturbances that historically perpetuated these ecoystems has resulted in a decline of grasslands and meadows. Careful management can sustain and improve these habitats.
Human engineered landscapes are areas that have been the focus of intense human activity. In general, they require significant effort to maintain and, if not properly cared for, can present a hazard to the landowner, visitors, and neighbors, and compromise other natural resources. The value of these artificial cover types for native plants and animals is variable, but can be improved through stewardship strategies like supporting native plant species.
With the decline of natural disturbances like fire and conversion of land to development, shrublands are decreasing in prevalence and extent. Management can help maintain and improve shrublands to support the wildlife that rely on them.
Clean water resources are critical to the health of plant communities, wildlife, and people. It is also important for supporting recreation. Stewardship of waterways and surrounding areas can protect and improve water resources.
Wetlands occupy a relatively small area in Pennsylvania as compared to terrestrial habitats (less than 3% of the total land area), but they have a disproportionate value for maintaining water quality and quantity and for supporting biodiversity. Careful management can protect and improve wetlands.