In cooperation with the USDA Forest Service the Arizona Forest Health Program provides assistance to protect, improve, and restore forested ecosystems from the adverse effects of insects and diseases in the State of Arizona with emphasis on private and state owned lands.
The effects of urbanization, past forest management practices, and changes in climate are but a few of the factors that influence the overall health of Arizona forests. The Forest Health program works in cooperation with federal and state agencies and private landowners to provide science-based information on the events that affect the long-term sustainability of our forested landscapes.
Climate is critical as to whether a species population will expand or contract within its range. Most forests and other vegetative types naturally grow in the climate to which they are best adapted. Some forest tree species have greater adaptability to variable climatic conditions than others by virtue of genetic adaptation across their expansive ranges, although a species' current range may not always reflect its adaptability. Read More