Mature forests are a developmental stage that precedes old-growth. While definitions vary by forest type, general indicators include:
: The Forest Service manages the majority, with 67.4 million acres of mature forest and 24.4 million acres of old-growth. Defining "Mature" Land land mature
: Account for roughly 32 million acres (18% of total federal forest land). Mature forests are a developmental stage that precedes
: Significant accumulation of aboveground biomass and standing dead wood (snags). Strategic Importance & Threats land mature
: More open and complex canopy structures compared to dense young forests.
Mature lands are vital for because older trees store vast amounts of carbon.
The USDA Forest Service and BLM manage approximately of forest land in the United States.