How have Montanas forests changed over recent centuries?
Forests are naturally dynamic and change over time. Studies indicate that forest species have gradually changed elevations and geographic distributions in response to natural changes in climate. According to industry sources, Montana forests are at about 96 percent of the coverage found by early explorers — about 23 million acres. But the species and age profile has changed over that period. The watercourse riparian forests in much of the eastern portion of the state differ from those found 200 years ago, for example, due largely to flood and fire controls of the modern era. And, of course, wooded bottomlands have been inundated by the waters of Fort Peck Reservoir and other water impoundments. Many of the trees of western Montana forests are succession species following timber harvest and fire. Many of these forests are decades away from the mature climax species found by early-day loggers. Fire suppression efforts over the past century have also allowed certain species and fuel typ
