How does the sustainable use of American hardwoods contribute to biodiversity conservation?
Demand for American hardwoods has provided a strong economic incentive for U.S. land owners to manage and conserve natural hardwood forests for the long-term supply of high value decorative hardwoods and has discouraged conversion for other economic uses such as agriculture or fast-growing tree plantations. American hardwoods derive from managed natural forests which have high natural bio-diversity, provide a habitat for a wide range of species, and are very resilient to fire and pests. The 2000 RPA Assessment indicates that overall hardwood forests are getting older in the United States and that this maturation is leading to increased eco-system diversity. Selection harvesting, involving the removal of specified individuals or small groups of trees, is typical in American hardwood forests. Clear-felling of hardwood trees of the same diameter and age group is carried out only occasionally for specific management objectives, for example to open up a section of the forest for grazing pur
