Climate change impacts on forests

Abstract

Forests are highly sensitive to climate change. This has been shown by observations from the past, experimental studies, and simulation models based on current ecophysiological and ecological understanding. In particular, the following was concluded:<br />Sustained increases of as little as 1 °C in mean annual air temperature can be sufficient to cause changes in the growth and regeneration capacity of many tree species. In several regions, this can significantly alter<br />the function and composition of forests; in others, it can cause forest cover to disappear completely (Medium Confidence).<br />Suitable habitats for many species or forest types are likely to shift faster with climate change than the maximum natural rate at which many species can migrate and establish. Consequently; slow-growing species, such as late successional species, or those with restricted seed dispersal will be replaced by faster-growing, highly adaptable or more mobile species (High Confidence).<br />Forests are particularly vulnerable to extremes of water availability (either drought or waterlogging) and will decline rapidly if conditions move toward one of the extremes (High Confidence). [...]