The United States features expansive and varied forest cover, which are complex ecosystems supporting a wide array of life. Spanning diverse climates and geographies, these forests contribute to the country’s environmental health and offer numerous benefits.
Identifying the Most Forested States
When examining states with the most forest cover, both percentage of land and total acreage offer insights. Maine leads in forest percentage, with 89.46% of its land covered by forests, encompassing 17.7 million acres. New Hampshire follows closely with 84.32% forest cover, amounting to 4.8 million acres. West Virginia is another highly forested state, with 79.01% of its land, or 12 million acres, being woodlands.
Vermont exhibits substantial forest cover at 77.81%, translating to 4.5 million acres. Alabama has a significant forest presence with 70.57% of its land forested, totaling 22.9 million acres. Georgia and Mississippi also feature high forest percentages, at 67.28% and 65.07% respectively, with Georgia holding 24.8 million forested acres and Mississippi having 19.8 million acres.
New York, despite its urban perception, is heavily forested, with nearly 19 million acres, or 62.88% of its land, covered by forests. While these states have high percentages, Alaska holds the largest total forested acreage, with 127 million acres, though this represents a lower percentage of its landmass, around 35.16%. Texas follows with 62.4 million forested acres, covering 37.33% of the state.
Diverse Forest Ecosystems Across States
The United States features a wide array of forest ecosystems, shaped by distinct geographical and climatic conditions. Tropical forests are found in southern regions, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico, thriving in warm climates. These areas are characterized by a high diversity of species requiring consistent warmth and humidity.
Temperate forests are widespread across the country, categorized by tree dominance. Eastern forests, covering about 384 million acres, are predominantly broadleaf or deciduous. Examples include mixed oak-hickory forests prevalent in the east-central United States, often featuring species like chestnut oak and black oak.
Coniferous forests, dominated by cone-bearing trees like pines, spruces, and firs, are common in the western United States, covering approximately 363 million acres. The Pacific Northwest is known for its dense fir-spruce forests, while the Southern United States features extensive pine forests, including loblolly, shortleaf, slash, and longleaf pines. Some regions, like the northern Appalachians and parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, also host boreal or taiga forests, characterized by spruces and balsam fir.
The Multifaceted Contributions of State Forests
State forests provide numerous benefits, encompassing ecological, economic, and recreational dimensions. Ecologically, these forests support biodiversity, serving as habitats for over 3,000 wildlife species. They also contribute to carbon sequestration, with U.S. temperate and boreal forests removing enough atmospheric carbon dioxide to reduce national annual net emissions by approximately 11%.
Forests contribute to water quality protection, with about 20% of freshwater in the United States originating from national forests and grasslands, supplying clean drinking water to over 66 million Americans. They also purify the air by absorbing pollutants like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.
Economically, forests underpin various industries, including timber and forest products. Recreational activities within national forests, such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing, contribute over $13 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 205,000 jobs. These activities foster local economies through visitor spending. Beyond economics, forests offer recreational and cultural value, contributing to community identity and well-being.