Although it may sound simplistic, the greatest threat to Maryland’s forest resource base is the conversion of forest land to non-forest uses. As residential and other development spreads across the landscape, the spatial configuration of remaining forests changes. Large blocks of forest are often subdivided into parcels which increases the potential to convert these forested parcels to non-forest use and reduces the amount of actively managed forest (DNR 2000). The Maryland Department of Planning estimates 10,000 acres of forest land are lost per year to development. In addition, creation of small isolated patches of remaining forest reduces habitat quality for species that require large tracts of interior forest and reduces the opportunity for gene flow and migration needed to maintain resilient natural plant and animal populations. Beyond threats from development, Maryland’s forests are also vulnerable to a variety of other pressures. As part of the SFLA vulnerability assessment, particular attention will be devoted to those forest lands that reflect high ecological value or are viable for resource management and timber production. Forest vulnerability will be characterized in terms of human and other stressors. Specifically, the following issues will be addressed to evaluate forest health and vulnerability:

• Development Pressures on Forested Lands
• Existing Patterns of Forest Fragmentation
• Forests with historical impacts of insects and disease
• Generalized Zoning of Forested Lands
• Gypsy Moth Defoliation
• Projected or anticipated land use change
• Susceptibility of the forested land base to fire