Summary/ synopsis of RI Forests - Essay Example

Summary of RI Forests According to the reading, about 60 % of Rhode Island is under forest cover (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 3). In determining the extent and make-up of Rhode Island forests, the Forest Service conducted the forest inventory and analysis program that derived a systematic inventory of forests across America. Indeed, the Forest Service’s Northeastern Research station cooperated with the Department of Environmental Management and the Division of Forest Environment to complete the inventory of Rhode Island forests in 1998 (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 3).

The inventory included studying aerial photographs for Rhode Island. The study determined land use and size of trees for about 2000 points in 103 plots that represented Rhode Island forests (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 3). The Forest Service re-measured the plots to establish the growth of individual trees as well as the size, number, and species of trees in Rhode Island (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 3).The reading describes how the Native Americans of Rhode Island influenced Rhode Island forests.

The Native Americans depleted the Rhode Island forests by using fire to enhance and clear the forest for their selfish gains. Indeed, the reading asserts that the Native Americans lit ground fires biannually to clear Rhode Island forests for hunting, farming, and easy movement (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 4). They planted seedlings on the dead trees resulting to depleted soil fertility and the subsequent abandonment of the land.The reading noted changes in Rhode Island forests where the forest cover dropped significantly between 1630 and 1767.

The percentage of Rhode Island forests dropped from above 90% in 1630 to slightly above 25 % in 1767 (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 5). However, the forest cover increased moderately between 1887 and 1998. Indeed, the percentage of Rhode Island forests increased from about 25 % in 1887 to about 60 % in 1953 (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 5). Apparently, there was a near constant forest cover in Rhode Island between 1953 and 1998. The drop in forest cover emanate from the more intensive land use by the colonialists that led to clearing of forests for cultivation, grazing, building materials, and fuel.

On the other hand, industrial revolution led to the increased percentage of Rhode Island forests as most people migrated to the urban areas, abandoned their farms, and started to rely on imported foods enabling forests to grow again (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 5).The reading defines some of the benefits that RI forests provide that include financial gains derived from the sale of forestlands (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 20). Other benefits provided by RI forests include the purification of air and water by regulating climate and water cycles.

RI forests also provide recreation, and residential settlement for Rhode Islanders (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 20). As such, RI forests enhance the health and well-being of Rhode Islanders. The reading also addresses urban forests that relates to trees and associated living things that live within cities and towns (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 22). Notably, urban forests benefit people in that they link the urban residents with nature. Moreover, urban forests offer mental solace, regulate summer temperatures, and purify water and air in the urban areas (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 22).

The reading defines the RI urban Community Forest plan that sought to enhance urban, and community forest resources by influencing foresting decisions. According to the plan, Rhode Island will aim at stabilizing the entire forest cover and enhance urban forests (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 22).Works CitedU.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. The forests of Rhode Island. September 2002. Web. 20 May 2015. < http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/forest/pdf/riforest.pdf>