Iowa’s Forests
Known for originally being a prairie state, people often forget about Iowa’s forest ecosystems. According to Iowa State University, Iowa has 2.1 million acres of forests which make up 5.7% of the state’s total land area. All this forested area provides many benefits including lumber harvesting, recreation, wildlife habitat, and erosion control. Iowa’s native tree species include such diverse trees as black walnut, eastern red cedar, red maple, white ash, paper birch, and bur oak—Iowa’s state tree. Most of the state’s forests can be found in the eastern half of the state and are often growing near rivers or streams, where environmental conditions—temperature, wind, soil, water, and fire—historically met to form optimal settings for tree growth. With a variety of plant life comes many animals, insects, invertebrates, and birds—large and small.
Prior to European settlement, 18% of Iowa was covered in forest. This dramatic decrease in forested areas is mostly a result of land being converted to farm ground. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Iowa’s forested acres began to rise again. A major threat facing Iowa’s trees today are insects, such as Emerald Ash Borer, and disease. Often invasive, it is important to take steps to prevent the spread of these insects and diseases, by such actions as avoiding transporting wood across state lines. Despite some challenges, Iowa’s forests are incredibly resilient, and make up an important part of the state environmentally, economically, and aesthetically.
Video Resources
Enhanced Learning Activities
Additional Resources
Iowa’s 10 Most Common Urban Trees – Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Forests – Iowa’s Nature Series – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Iowa’s Forest Birds – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach