Land Stewardship

Preserved Land               Farmland               Wetlands   

Forests

  

 

Forest acreage has generally declined over the last five years. The reduction of core forests is concerning.

Forests and other natural habitats reduce water quality impacts associated with development, impervious surfaces, and certain agricultural practices; and provide valuable habitat. Research is showing that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable health benefits, both mental and physical. 

Forest Inventory*: It is estimated that forests cover approximately 60 percent of the State. The amount of forest land in Connecticut in 2019 (most recent data available) is estimated to have decreased since the 2018 inventory.¹⁴ Forest loss has stabilized somewhat from significant declines in forestland between the 1980s and early 2000s. However, it is estimated that since 1985, Connecticut has lost over five percent of its forest lands.

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Core Forest Acres: Core forests** are essentially forests surrounded by other forests, and in Connecticut, it has been defined as forest features that are relatively far (more than 300 feet) from the forest-nonforest boundary. Core forests provide habitat for many species of wildlife that cannot tolerate significant disturbance. The loss of core forest cover diminishes water purification and habitat values, and could result in heavier runoff, which might lead to poorer water quality and impaired habitat.¹⁵

Forests that are fragmented, or divided by roads and clearings, provide some forest functions but are not fully-functioning forest ecosystems. Fragmented forests*** are known to provide substandard or poor habitat for some species of wildlife and, in many cases, less opportunity for hunting and other types of recreation. Invasive species of plants and animals often colonize areas in the wake of activities that result in fragmented forests. 

Edge forests comprise the majority of forest type in Connecticut. These are areas that are the boundary between core forest and non-forested land cover features.¹⁶ Medium (250-500 acres) and large (>500 acres) core forests have seen the greatest percentage decline since 1985. Perforated forests have seen the greatest percentage increase over that same time period; however, perforated forests only make up about five percent of forest type in Connecticut. Overall, total core forest area has declined by more than 15 percent over the 30 year period (1985-2015).

Forests also contribute to climate regulation through carbon sequestration and storage. Carbon sequestration rates and storage vary by stand age, tree species, growing conditions (including soil type, regional climate, topography, and disturbance regimes (natural or silvicultural).¹⁷ In the northeastern United States, carbon sequestration rates typically peak when forests are around 30–70 years old, but trees continue to sequester carbon through their entire life span. Approximately 85 percent of Connecticut’s forests are over 61 years of age. Carbon sequestration is also impacted by the type of trees that comprise the forest. Forests comprised of Oak/Hickory and Maple/Beech/Birch groups store a significant amount of carbon per hectare. These forest types combined comprise about 84 percent of Connecticut’s forests.¹⁷

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¹⁴ _{United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service; www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/CT/default.asp}
¹⁵ _{DEEP, GC3 Final Report: Working & Natural Lands Working Group - Rivers Sub-Working Group; portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/climatechange/GC3/GC3-working-group-reports/GC3-WNLWG-Rivers-Final-Report-11-20-20.pdf}
¹⁶ _{DEEP, Forest Fragmentation Data; personal communication from D. Peracchio, October 15, 2020.}
¹⁷_{DEEP, 2020 Connect Forest Action Plan; portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/forestry/2020-CT-Forest-Action-Plan-FINAL-Submitted-for-Approval.pdf}
¹⁸ _{USDA Forest Service. 2020. Forests of Connecticut, 2019. Resource Update FS–240. CT_2019_forestinventory_estimatetables; www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/CT/default.asp}