Adaptation to climate change in forest management

TLDR

Forestry adaptation is a climate‑focused sustainable management approach, and climate change is projected to significantly impact forest ecosystems over the next century, with management influencing adaptation timing but society often needing to adjust to forest responses. The study aims to evaluate long‑term climate impacts on forests and develop a framework for coping with disturbances while preserving genetic diversity and resilience. The authors propose a suite of readily available adaptive options and present a framework reviewing adaptive actions to address uncertain climate impacts.

Abstract

Adaptation in forestry is sustainable forest management that includes a climate change focus. Climate change over the next 100 years is expected to have significant impacts on forest ecosystems. The forestry community needs to evaluate the long-term effects of climate change on forests and determine what the community might do now and in the future to respond to this threat. Management can influence the timing and direction of forest adaptation at selected locations, but in many situations society will have to adjust to however forests adapt. Adapting to climate change in the face of the uncertain timing of impacts means we must have a suite of readily available options. A high priority will be coping with and adapting to forest disturbance while maintaining the genetic diversity and resilience of forest ecosystems. A framework for facilitating adaptation in forestry is discussed and a review of adaptive actions presented.