The Eastern United States has experienced a remarkable history of disturbance and recovery over the past two centuries. Before European settlement, forests occupied most of the land area. From the mid-19th to early 20th century , harvesting for timber and to clear agricultural land reduced forest cover by more than 90% in many places. Throughout most of the rest of the 20th century, forest cover subsequently increased following the abandonment of marginal agricultural fields and active New Deal reforestation efforts.

Dr. Jeff Riffell