Old-Growth

There are many competing definitions of old-growth, but the core concept of old-growth refers to forests that are relatively old and relatively undisturbed. Old-growth forests provide many ecosystem services and human benefits. They are regarded as important in protecting biodiversity and providing habitat for carnivores. Although the southern Appalachians contain one of the largest concentrations of old-growth forests east of the Mississippi River, these forests are restricted mostly to the National Parks and the Wilderness Areas in National Forests. To increase the amount of old-growth clearly requires restoration and management of existing forest. While National Forests may contain the greatest reservoir of forest land suitable for the restoration of old-growth, some proponents of old-growth fear that even this area, if managed as old-growth, is not enough to fully protect biodiversity.