Role of climate change in reforestation and nursery practices

Abstract

Ecosystems have been adjusting to changes in climate over time, but projections are that future global climate will change at rates faster than that previously experienced in geologic time. It is not necessarily the amount of change, but rather this rate of change that is most threatening to plant species - the climate appears to be changing faster than plants can adapt or migrate. Long-lived species, such as trees, will lag behind short-lived species in their ability to adapt and track suitable climate conditions. Although growing season length will continue to lengthen under climate change and may cause an increase in forest productivity, it will be offset by increased evaporation, transpiration, soil drying, and phenological imbalances. Expected impacts on forests are similar to what we have already observed, such as landscapescale tree mortality due to mountain pine beetle outbreaks in the Rocky Mountains and prolonged drought and high temperatures in the southwestern US and Canadian boreal forests. Impacts will intensify during the latter half of this century with forest systems continuing to experience shifts in phenology and distribution, making plants poorly adapted to their local climates.

Citation

Williams, Mary I.; Dumroese, R. Kasten. 2014. Role of climate change in reforestation and nursery practices. Western Forester. 59(1): 11-13.