PUTTING A “CLIMATE CHANGE

FILTER” ON STEWARDSHIP AND

CONSERVATIONwww.forestadaptation.org

Maria Janowiak, mjanowiak02@fs.fed.us

Kristen Schmitt, kmschmit@mtu.edu

Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science

www.nrs.fs.fed.us/niacs/

ClimateCarbon

Workshop Outline IntroductionA Few Important Adaptation Ideas

Adaptation Workbook: “Turbo” version• Example from Wisc. • Your lands & projects

(Choose Your Own Adventure)

Responding to Climate Change

Manager’s Guide

If you want a single “answer” for how to respond to climate

change, it’s:

“It depends”

It depends on where you are working and what you’re trying

to achieve.

Forest Adaptation Resources

Adaptation Workbook

Strategies & Approaches

Menu of adaptation actions

Swanston et al. 2016; www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/52760

• Structured process to integrate climate change considerations into management• Workbook approach

Forest Adaptation Resources

Adaptation Workbook

Strategies & Approaches

Menu of adaptation actions

Coming really really soon!

• Structured process to integrate climate change considerations into management• Workbook approach

www.forestadaptation.org/demos

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Adaptation Demonstrations(real-world examples)

What actions can be taken to enhance the ability of a

system to cope with change and

meet conservation goals and objectives?

Swanston et al. 2016; www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/52760

Adaptation Process

Adaptation Process: Deciphered

Swanston et al. 2016; www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/52760

Adaptation ActionsClimate Change Filter = IntentionalityActions specifically address climate change impacts & vulnerabilities in order to meet climate-informed goals/objectives.

Actions might be the same/similar to what you’re already doing, but its necessary to explore potential modifications to address climate change.

Workshop FormatAdaptation Workbook: “Turbo” versionFor each step:• Example (Caroline Lake)• Thinking/discussion

Use handout to follow along

1. WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU

CARE ABOUT?

Caroline Lake PreserveThe Nature

Conservancy About 1,000 acres of forest

Acquired from industrial ownership in 1997

Working forest to demonstrate sustainable forestry practices

www.forestadaptation.org/carolinelake

Conservation Goals & Objectives:

Maintain/restore forests that were historically characteristic of the area

Mid-to-late successional structure

Natural disturbances Under-represented species

Incorporate climate change considerations into a forest management planNorthern Hardwoods (643

acres)Lowland Conifer (259 acres)Lowland Hardwoods (78 acres)Shoreline Buffer (<5 acres)Upland Conifer (<5 acres)

1. WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU

CARE ABOUT?Introduce yourself to a

neighbor &tell them what you

care about!

2. HOW IS THIS PARTICULAR PLACE VULNERABLE TO

CLIMATE CHANGE?

Climate Change ImpactsRegional Ecosystem Impacts1) Longer growing season 2) Less snow, more rain3) Altered soil moisture4) Potential for summer

drought5) Extreme events6) Species range shifts7) Invasive plants8) Forest pests and diseases

www.forestadaptation.org/vulnerability-assessment

Altered precipitation & drier conditions Located at headwaters of Bad

River Contains numerous wetlands– very

vulnerable to hydrologic changeProjected declines in many common northern species Property contains many species expected to decline

Site has high species diversity compared to nearby forests

Climate Change Impacts

2. HOW IS THIS PARTICULAR PLACE VULNERABLE TO

CLIMATE CHANGE?Take a few minutes to reflect.

3. WHAT CHALLENGES OR OPPORTUNITIES DOES CLIMATE

CHANGE PRESENT?

Challenges Under-represented species may not do better in future: yellow birch, hemlock

Lowland conifer/hardwood forests are not managed• Declining boreal conifers • Potential emerald ash borer in ash swamps

Deer herbivory could increase

Proportion of Stand Composed of Species Projected to Decrease

Janowiak et al. (in review)

Challenges Opportunities Some species (white pine and red oak) may fare same or better in future

Small- or medium-sized disturbances increase structural diversity

Unique site and location may offer opportunities for refugia

Under-represented species may not do better in future: yellow birch, hemlock

Lowland conifer/hardwood forests are not managed• Declining boreal conifers • Potential emerald ash borer in ash swamps

Deer herbivory could increase

3. WHAT CHALLENGES OR OPPORTUNITIES DOES CLIMATE

CHANGE PRESENT?Share your one big challenge and one big opportunity with your

neighbor.

4. WHAT ACTIONS CAN HELP SYSTEMS ADAPT

TO CHANGE?

www.forestadaptation.org/demos

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What adaptation looks like:

Same actions– climate

change just makes them that much

more important

Small “tweaks” that improve effectiveness

New & different actions to

consider, even some that may seem wild &

crazy*individual results will vary

What adaptation looks like:

Already doing and even more important

Practice Current Purpose

Adaptation Co-Benefits

Favor under-represented species

Species/structural diversity; habitats

Hedge against decline of one species; opportunity to favor future-adapted species

Encourage large woody debris

Structural diversity; habitats; nutrients

Create moister and cooler conditions on forest floor

Mimic natural disturbances

Species/structural diversity; accelerate succession

Makes it easier to take advantage of natural disturbances

Small tweaks in managementForest Current Action Adaptation ActionNorthern Hardwoods

Use single-tree or group selection methods to maintain species composition/diversity and increase structural diversity

Same, plus: Use large group selection or

shelterwood harvests to increase northern red oak in some stands

Promote white pine, black cherry, yellow birch, and other desirable species that are less likely to decline

Shoreline Buffer

No harvest reserve area

Where opportunities exist, promote white pine or other long-lived conifer component for diversity/shoreline shading

Wild and crazy? Addressing potential risks

Forest Current Action

Adaptation Action

Lowland Hardwoods

No harvest reserve area

No harvest reserve area, BUT: If regeneration is inadequate or

emerald ash borer mortality appears likely, consider introduction of plantings of swamp white oak, bur oak, etc.

4. WHAT ACTIONS CAN HELP SYSTEMS ADAPT

TO CHANGE?Discuss current

actions, small tweaks, and WILD & CRAZY

ideas with your neighbor.

5. HOW CAN YOU KNOW WHETHER THOSE ACTIONS

WERE EFFECTIVE?

Climate-informed Forest InventoryTraditional Metrics New Risk

Metrics Total Stocking Tree Species Diversity• Richness• Evenness

Large Coarse Woody Debris

Regeneration• Saplings • Seedlings

Risk of Decline• Trees • Saplings • Seedlings

Janowiak et al. (in review)

5. HOW CAN YOU KNOW WHETHER THOSE ACTIONS

WERE EFFECTIVE?Share 1 idea with your neighbor.

Nice work!

Accept uncertainty.Use new information & ideas.Take action, focusing on win-

wins.Be creative & flexible.

Work and learn with others.

A few final thoughts…

THANK YOU!Want more? Upcoming bring-your-own-project events:• Twin Cities Urban Forests: November 15-16, 2016• Online Course for New England & New York: January 16-March 3, 2017• Boston Region Urban Forests: January 24-25, 2017• Schedule online at: www.forestadaptation.org/training