Why Young Forests Matter on the Monongahela National Forest
Monongahela National Forest
January 27, 2026
On the Monongahela National Forest, some of the most important wildlife habitats look less like towering trees in a dark forest and more like a landscape in transition.
This transitional stage is called early-successional habitat—areas defined by grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and young trees. These habitats form after disturbances such as fire, windstorms, severe ice storms or timber harvest. While these landscapes are dynamic and temporary, they are essential for many species that depend on open, sunlit conditions to feed, nest and raise their young.
Across West Virginia and much of the eastern United States, early-successional habitat has declined significantly over the past several decades. As forests mature and natural disturbances such as fire are suppressed or minimized, young forests and shrubby habitats have disappeared from the landscape. The result is a quieter forest, with fewer songbirds and a consequential loss of biodiversity.
Rich Bailey, state ornithologist with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, sees this change every day. Since 1970, migratory bird populations have decreased by over 3 billion in North America, and in Eastern forests, approximately 63 percent of bird species are in decline.
The wood thrush, an eastern forest bird, has experienced a dramatic population decline. It is estimated that we have lost six out of every 10 wood thrushes since 1970.
“In recent decades, research has shown that even forest interior birds benefit from canopy gaps and areas of young forest within larger contiguous forest blocks,” Bailey said. “For example, species that nest in mature stands, such as wood thrush, transition to early-successional habitats before they depart for wintering grounds. Other species, such as the highly threatened golden-winged warbler, do the inverse. On a landscape scale, maximum biodiversity requires a mosaic of young and old forests. Forest management to create or enhance this mosaic is our highest priority for forest birds.”
Many animals rely on young forests for at least part of their life cycle. This includes bird species such as golden-winged warblers, Eastern whip-poor-wills and chestnut-sided warblers; mammals such as the Appalachian cottontail and Eastern spotted skunk; and reptiles such as the Eastern hognose snake, Eastern box turtle and timber rattlesnake. Without intentional management, these species can struggle to persist.
Creating early-successional habitat requires active management. On the Monongahela National Forest, land managers use science-based tools, including timber harvests, prescribed burning, mowing and other mechanical treatments, to ensure the landscape sustains a mosaic of habitat types that meet ecological goals and wildlife needs.
“By actively managing parts of the forest, we’re able to create the young forest habitat that many wildlife species need,” explains Andy Moore, wildlife biologist for the Monongahela National Forest. “Thoughtful timber harvests and regeneration projects help restore balance and support a wider diversity of birds and mammals.”
An active timber sale on the Monongahela National Forest. This small clearcut with reserves is embedded within a landscape that contains a diversity of forest structures. This provides habitat for species that depend on both young and mature forests.
For example, a clearcut harvest removes trees 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) and larger, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and jump-start new growth. Tree species such as yellow poplar, black cherry, aspen and oaks thrive under this management approach. This type of harvest mimics natural disturbances such as fire, windstorms or ice storms that historically shaped the Appalachian landscape.
On the Monongahela, promoting early-successional habitat is part of a broader strategy to maintain a healthy, resilient and productive forest for generations to come. Managers work to balance multiple objectives, including supporting wildlife, sustaining timber resources and providing recreational opportunities across a diverse landscape.
Early-successional habitat will not remain in that stage forever. Over time, young trees grow taller, the canopy closes and the forest transitions into its next ecological stage. This is why continued active management is necessary.
By intentionally creating and maintaining these young habitats, the Monongahela National Forest is helping ensure the species that depend on them do not fade from the landscape but remain a vibrant part of West Virginia’s natural beauty for generations to come.