Most recent fast forest disturbances in Minnesota Version 4.0

The purpose of this map is to provide spatial information about the timing and change agent of the most recent forest disturbance events across Minnesota from 1974-2020 as a tool for managers and researchers to utilize for a variety of applications. Spatially explicit information about stand level attributes across all land ownerships can be a valuable resource for forest assessments, management planning, policy decisions, and future forest projections. Patterns of forest structure and mosaics of stand ages across landscapes are largely driven by disturbance regimes. Disturbance events, whether abrupt or slower declines, impact stand boundaries, age, related structure, and potential recovery trajectories. The agent of change (e.g. harvest, fire, insects) may also have varying influences on ecosystem services such as erosion control, water quality, support of biodiversity, and climate change mitigation.