Boreal species in northern Wisconsin and western Upper Michigan will face increasing stress from climate change.

Impact models agree that boreal or northern species will experience reduced suitable habitat and biomass across the Upper Midwest, and that they may be less able to take advantage of longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures than temperate forest communities. Across northern latitudes, it is generally expected that warmer temperatures will be more favorable to species that are located at the northern extent of their range and less favorable to those at the southern extent. Climate impact models project a decline in suitable habitat and landscape-level biomass for northern species such as black spruce, white spruce, jack pine, quaking aspen
and yellow birch. Boreal species may remain in areas with favorable soils, management, or landscape features. Additionally, northern species may be able to persist if competitor species are unable to colonize these areas.