Figure 4 — Water quality of streams draining forest and rangelands is a potentially acceptable resource 

 situation. 



Potentially Deterioriating Resource Situations 



Potentially deteriorating resource situations occur when projected future management 

 and technology are not expected to keep pace with people's demands for resource 

 uses. Resource conditions may be at a deteriorated level in the future. 



Forest Health Is a Growing Concern — Forest health is vital to all values associated 

 with forests. Timber mortality increased 24.3 percent from 1986 to 1991 (fig. 5). There 

 are many causes of this potentially deteriorating situation. In the East forests are 

 aging and becoming more susceptible to insects and diseases. Similarly, control of 

 wildfire in the West has resulted in many aging and stagnated stands that are becom- 

 ing more susceptible to insects and diseases. Older stands are more likely to be 

 stressed by environmental changes such as drought and pollution. Introduced pests 

 such as the gypsy moth have also taken a toll. 



Continuing Loss of Biological Diversity Is a Concern— As land use intensifies, 

 natural diversity is reduced and ecosystems are simplified. Potential impacts include 

 reductions in the long-term productivity of ecosystems, reductions in the ability of 

 biological communities to adapt to change, and forgone options for the future. 



Some Regions Face a Shortage in Water Supply— Water shortages are projected 

 for some arid and semiarid regions of the United States, where irrigation is the 

 predominant consumptive use of water. Increasing demands in these regions will 

 raise production costs for irrigated crops, disrupt local economies dependent on 

 agriculture, and increase conflicts between withdrawal and instream use. 



