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Abstract
Ecosystems of the Lassen and Modoc National Forests depend on disturbance as part of the natural process. However, climate change, a source of disturbance itself, has also been changing patterns of other ecological disturbances, including the frequencies and intensities of fire, pests, and pathogens. This chapter presents a review and synthesis of peer-reviewed literature focused on natural disturbance processes and how those processes relate to and interact with a changing climate. The chapter begins with an overview of different ways climate change can impact the ecosystems of these two national forests in relation to current versus past evidence of climate change, fire frequencies and intensities, changes in patterns of snowfall and snow melt, tree and plant distributions, and insects and pests. Impacts on animal species, particularly species of concern are discussed, along with effects on aquatic systems. The chapter concludes with a discussion of impacts of climate change on seeding projects.
Parent Publication
Keywords
Lassen National Forest,
Modoc National Forest,
Northeastern California,
forest planning,
community engagement,
socioeconomic resilience,
ponderosa pine,
western juniper,
sagebrush rangeland,
wildfire,
wildlife,
ecosystem restoration,
climate change,
disturbances
Citation
Wright, Jessica W. 2020. Ecological disturbance in the context of a changing climate: Implications for land management in Northeastern California [Chapter 6.1]. In: Dumroese, R. K.; Moser, W. K., eds. Northeastern California plateaus bioregion science synthesis. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-409. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 186-210.
