Forest Adaptation in Action: Climate Change Adaptation Projects in Northern Forests
-
Upload
northern-institute-of-applied-climate-science -
Category
Environment
-
view
64 -
download
0
Transcript of Forest Adaptation in Action: Climate Change Adaptation Projects in Northern Forests
Maria Janowiaka,b, Todd Ontla,b, Chris Swanstona,b, Anthony D'Amatoc, Leslie Brandta,b, Patricia Butlera,d, Stephen Handlera,b, Danielle Shannona,d
a Northern Institute of Applied Climate Scienceb USDA Forest Servicec University of Vermontd Michigan Technological University,
School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science
FOREST ADAPTATION IN ACTION: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PROJECTSIN NORTHERN FORESTS
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
• Structured process to integrate climate change considerations into management
• Workbook approach
Swanston et al. 2016; www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/52760
What actions can be taken toenhance the ability of a system to
cope with change and
meet conservation goals and objectives?
Adaptation Strategies & ApproachesManagement Goals
& Objectives
Climate Change Impacts
Intent of Adaptation (Option)
Make Idea Specific(Strategy, Approach)
Action to Implement(Tactic)
Challenges & Opportunities
Why it’s important:Helps connect the dots from broad concepts to specific actions for
implementation.
Quantitative content analysis of adaptation planning documents (n=44)
Regional: Laurentian Mixed Forest vs. Central Interior Broadleaf Forest (Federal ownership)
Ownership: Federal v. Private (Laurentian Mixed Forest region)
FederalMunicipalNGOPrivateStateTribalUniversity
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Pests & pathogens
Soil moisture stress
Altered precipitation (seasonal)
Extreme precipitation
Warmer (seasonal)
Invasives
Longer growing season
Reduced snowpack/ frozen ground
Altered disturbance regimes
Increased wildfire
Increased deer populations
Warmer (annual)
Extreme storms (other than precip)
Increased precipitation (annual)
Increased soil freezing
CO2 fertilization
Early thaw/ late frost
Increase in southern spp.
Temperature extremes
Climate ImpactFrequency
Biological StressorsPrecipitationTemperatureDisturbanceOther
What climate impacts concern managersmost?
Ontl et al. in review
What actions are managers considering for climate change adaptation?
Desired Future Condition
TIME
Climate ChangeTrajectory
?
Increasing resources needed to meet DFC
What actions are managers considering for climate change adaptation?
RESISTANCE
Improve defenses of forest against change Maintain relatively
unchanged conditions
Millar et al. 2007
What actions are managers considering for climate change adaptation?
RESISTANCE RESILIENCE
Improve defenses of forest against change Maintain relatively
unchanged conditions
Accommodate some degree of change Return to prior condition
after disturbance
Millar et al. 2007
What actions are managers considering for climate change adaptation?
RESISTANCE RESILIENCE TRANSITION
Improve defenses of forest against change Maintain relatively
unchanged conditions
Accommodate some degree of change Return to prior condition
after disturbance
Facilitate change Enable ecosystem to
respond to new and changing conditions
Millar et al. 2007
What actions are managers considering for climate change adaptation?
RESISTANCE RESILIENCE TRANSITION
Region Resistance Resilience Transition
Laurentian Mixed Forest 23.8% 48.1% 28.1%
Central Interior Forest 18.0% 37.3% 44.7%
Ontl et al. in review
Resist Change
Prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive plant species and remove existing invasives (4)
Images: Invasives Plants Atlas of New England (www.eddmaps.org)
Resist Change
Prioritize and protect sensitive or at-risk species or communities (9)
www.forestadaptation.org/node/659
Enhance Resilience
Promote diverse age classes (2)
Maintain and restore diversity of native tree species (3)
Retain biological legacies (6)
www.forestadaptation.org/node/375
Enhance Resilience
Maintain or restore soil quality and nutrient cycling (10)
www.forestadaptation.org/node/310
Transition and Transform SystemsFavor or restore native species that are expected to be
better adapted to future conditions (1)
www.forestadaptation.org/carolinelake
Transition and Transform SystemsEmphasize drought- and heat-tolerant species and
populations (8)
www.forestadaptation.org/jerktail_mountain
Transition and Transform SystemsEmphasize drought- and heat-tolerant species and
populations (8)
www.forestadaptation.org/mte