Tongass National Forest

Resources

• How does wilderness differ from a national park?
• Why are Misty Fiords and Admiralty Island National Monuments and not national parks?
• Why do glaciers last through the summer?
• Why are glaciers blue?
• How old are the trees in Tongass National Forest?
• Why doesn't the Tongass look like a rainforest?
• Why are there so many standing dead trees in the forest?
• How much of the Tongass National Forest is scheduled for logging?
• Why is the Forest Service allowing timber harvest in the Tongass?
• Can an individual go into the forest and pick berries, mushrooms, and collect other herbal plants?

How does wilderness differ from a national park?

Wilderness areas within Tongass National Forest have less stringent regulations than comparable areas in national parks for activities like fixed-wing aircraft landings, hunting, hiking and camping. Both, however, are managed to remain in their natural state.

Why are Misty Fiords and Admiralty Island National Monuments and not national parks?

It was easier. National Monuments are created by presidential proclamation, national parks are created by an Act of Congress. Both Monuments were created by President Carter in 1978 and most of their acreage became wilderness areas in 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

Why do glaciers last through the summer?

Glacier ice is very dense and although melting occurs all summer, glaciers begin at high elevations where temperatures are lower all year and are "fed" fresh snow to replenish themselves every winter.

Why are glaciers blue?

Sunlight, or full-spectrum light, is absorbed by glacier ice except for blue - it is reflected and makes the ice look blue.

How old are the trees in Tongass National Forest?

Old growth trees can be 200 to 700 years old. Many trees fall over when they get very old and become nursery logs for seedlings.

Why doesn't the Tongass look like a rainforest?

It doesn't look like a tropical rainforest, but it does look like a temperate rainforest. Cooler temperatures slow down the establishment and regeneration of vegetation, but our rainforest actually has a greater biomass than tropical rainforests.

Why are there so many standing dead trees in the forest?

Two species in the coniferous mix of our forest are cedar. When a cedar dies, it does not rot and fall down as readily as other species. A standing dead tree is a habitat element important to many birds and insects. A factor in the number of standing dead cedar trees is a mysterious "die off" currently happening in the yellowcedar. Scientists are studying this phenomenom and some believe it is a natural event.

How much of the Tongass National Forest is scheduled for logging?

Under the present management policy, the Tongass Land Management Plan of 1997, 22 percent of the forest's 17 million acres are in areas open to harvest. Not all of the 22 percent will be harvested because of resource protections in the Plan. When all the protections are in place, only 676,000 acres, less than 10 percent of the forest, may be harvested over the next 100 years. There are many variables that would affect the size of the harvest each year, such as current markets, and the last few years have seen much smaller harvests than the maximum.

Why is the Forest Service allowing timber harvest in the Tongass?

The Tongass is managed for multiple use and recognizes a changing and diverse economic environment in Southeast Alaska. The management plan includes guidelines for all resources, such as timber, recreation and mining activities with a comitment to long-term sustainability. MORE

Can an individual go into the forest and pick berries, mushrooms, and collect other herbal plants?

You can collect plants without a permit for personal use. For commercial purposes, you need to visit your local ranger district and apply for a permit.

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Last Modified: November 25, 2007