This book chapter addresses how future forests will be shaped, in large part, by tree responses to climate change via mortality, migration, and adaptation. The authors first demonstrate the strong relationship between tree distributions and climate, and discuss various approaches for modeling this relationship under current and future climate. They then examine the potential role of tree migration (via seed dispersal) as a means of tracking shifting climate habitats, but conclude that most tree species will not be able to migrate quickly enough to keep pace with expected climate shifts. Alternatively, trees may be able to adapt in place to climate change. Studies have shown that northern tree populations have a high capacity to absorb temperature increases, which may bode well for these populations under climate change. Finally, human interventions such as assisted migration, wherein tree populations and/or species are intentionally moved to track climate change, are discussed as potential approaches for helping to maintain healthy and productive future forests.
Related Resources
Uncovering Traits in Recovering Grasslands: A Functional Assessment of Oil and Gas Well Pad Reclamation
Resource Date:
2020
Seed Collection Guide for Six Boreal Plants Important to Indigenous Peoples
Resource Date:
2020
The State of Canada's Forests Annual Report 2020
Resource Date:
2020
Organization
Comparison of Woodland Caribou Calving Areas Determined by Movement Patterns Across Northern Ontario
Boreal Caribou Can Coexist with Natural but Not Industrial Disturbances
Resource Date:
August
2020
Evaluation of Threshold Freezing Conditions for Winter Road Construction over Discontinuous Permafrost Peatlands, Subarctic Canada
Resource Date:
February
2020
Organization
Was this helpful?
|