Humans are cutting Colorado and Wyoming forest into
an increasing number of isolated stands that threaten forest
health, according to three new videos highlighting a conference
devoted to forest fragmentation in the central Rocky Mountains.
“Everybody who lives in these states has an opinion about forested
public land, but most impressions seem to be based on gut feelings
rather than knowledge,” says wildlife biologist Rick Knight, who
introduces the videos. The first half-hour video covers human
disturbances, such as logging, road building and residential
development; the second covers natural damage including fire,
disease, and wind storms like the one last winter that leveled
20,000 acres of Routt National Forest (HCN, 11/24/97). The third
attempts to explain the effects of forest fragmentation on plant
and animal diversity. Each “Forest Fragmentation” videotape costs
$10 from the Office of Instructional Services, Colorado State
University, A71 Clark Bldg., Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970/491-1325).
* Taffeta
Elliott
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Smaller and smaller forests.
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