Status and progress in large-scale assessment of biological diversity in the United States

Conservation of biological diversity is one of seven criteria used to evaluate forest sustainability in the United States. The status of biological diversity is characterized by nine indicators that report area, protected status, and fragmentation of forest habitats; number and conservation status of forest-associated species; range and abundance of forest species to describe genetic diversity; and institutional commitments to conserve biodiversity. A long-term, nationwide forest inventory system documents the stability of total forest area with notable shifts in age distributions, species composition, ownership, and management emphasis.