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Forests and climate change: how to make the best use of forests in a
changed world
May 8, 2014
Laura Marx and Jeff Lougee
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy’s mission: to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
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WHO WE ARE • 60 years of smart risk-taking and bold thinking, based on
sound science.
• Honest broker who can bring all people together to find solutions.
• Hands-on impact of a local nonprofit and the global reach of a powerful international organization.
OUR SOLUTIONS • We protect and restore natural areas –
forests, oceans, rivers, mountains, deserts, grasslands, and more – so that the all the places that sustain life will endure for future generations.
• We equip people, governments, and businesses with the tools to make better, smarter, cost-effective decisions about the way they treat and use nature.
• We unite people to build a conservation movement and create a healthy planet.
• We've protected more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of riversworldwide — and we operate more than 100 marine conservation projects globally.
The Nature Conservancy’s mission: to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
NH TNC offices:Concord: 603-224-5853NewmarketNorth Conway
Laura’s email:[email protected]
Jeff’s email:[email protected]
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2014 U.S. National Climate Assessment & Swain & Hayhoe, submitted
© National Park Service
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http://www.mfpp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Ashuelot-River-Watershed-NH-Climate-Adaptation-Plan.pdf
NH state wildlife action plan – Ecosystems and Wildlife Climate Adaptation Plan
In New Hampshire, the average temperature has risen over 1.5º F since 1970, with winter temperature rising faster than summer (Frumhoff et al 2007).
Increase in heavy rainfall events indicating that precipitation patterns are starting to shift from historical norms (NECIA 2006).
Less winter precipitation falls as snow and more as rain; earlier spring snowmelt; earlier peak river flows and more drought.
Example of impacts: moose
USFWS
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©bchernicoff, wikipedia
http://www.mfpp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Ashuelot-River-Watershed-NH-Climate-Adaptation-Plan.pdf
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Principle #1: If you have a forest, keep it as forest.
Forests are one of the most powerful tools we have to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. (12%)
Forests both reduce emissions (prevent) and help wildlife and people adapt to the changes caused by the emissions already in the air (prepare).
Urban parks and rural forests both play a role.
© Slate.com
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Trees are what we see, but the trees are there because of geology and elevation.
Low elevation sand
Mid-elevation limestone
High elevation sandstone
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Resilient Network: Conserving the Stage (Arena)
Teams/Arenas = Enduring Features
• Players are important, but change over time
Network (league) remains resilient
• Each team dynamic, with unique contribution
Principle #2: Go new or go old.
Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative
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Case study #1:The new: Minnesota TNC adaptation forestry project
Case study #2: The old: Quabbin Reservoir in MA
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1. Keep forests as forests – everywhere (including urban parks and trees).
2. Work especially hard to maintain resilient forests.
3. Similarly, manage for resilience: be open to letting some forests age, and manage the rest for the long-term.
4. Don’t assume that the trees will grow back – at least not the same species or at the same rate.
5. Use wood instead of non-renewable materials and energy sources whenever you can.
6. Pay attention to what your neighbors are doing – look beyond your parcel boundaries.
How to use forests as a tool against climate change:
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1. Keep forests as forests.
2. Especially resilient forests.
3. Be open to letting some forests age, and manage the rest for the long-term.
4. Don’t assume that things will look the same.
5. Use wood instead of non-renewables whenever you can.
6. Think beyond your parcel boundaries.
A Few Resources:
• http://www.fs.fed.us/climatechange/
• The Nature Conservancy (nature.org), Society for the Protection of NH Forests (forestsociety.org), New England Forestry Foundation (newenglandforestry.org), and your local land trusts (nhltc.com has a list).
• Forest Adaptation Resources: Climate Change Tools and Approaches for Land Managers http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/gtr_nrs87.pdf
• Changes to the Land report (currently MA only but New England-wide version in progress) http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/changes-to-the-land
• NH climate assessments, North and South: www.climatesolutionsne.org
• Laura Marx ([email protected])• Jeff Lougee ([email protected])
