Ecological Forestry: Origins and Principles - Tony D’Amato

An essay written and read by Tony D'Amato.Tony D’Amato is a Professor of Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology and Director of the Forestry Program and Research Forests at the University of Vermont. His research focuses on long-term forest dynamics, disturbance effects on ecosystem structure and function, and ecological and adaptive silvicultural strategies for conferring adaptation potential within the context of global change and diverse values and objectives. He co-edited the textbook Ecological Silviculture (2021).--This piece is part of our series exploring ecological forestry featured in the Spring 2025 Issue of From the Ground Up.Read all the submissions in our Ecological Forestry collection:Ecological Forestry and Slow Wood: Perspectives from Around the Region by Brian DonahueEcological Forestry: Origins and Principles by Tony D’AmatoPutting Forests First: Ecological Forestry and an Ethical Worldview by David FosterRelationships: The Essence of Low Impact Forestry by Sam F. BrownThe Practice of Ecological Forestry: Seeking Diversity, Balance, and Adaptation in the Woods by Rick MorrillWorst-First and Femelschlag: Ecological Forestry with the Foundation for Sustainable Forests by Guy Dunkle and Annie Socci MaloneyThe Maine Woods Initiative: The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Approach to Ecological Forestry by Carolyn ZiegraManaging for Diversity: Insurance for the Future Forest by Ben FarinaExemplary Forestry: Integrating Climate Resilience, Biodiversity, and Wood Production by Robert T. Perschel