Central Appalachians | Adaptation Workbook

This area covers almost 29 million acres in eastern Ohio, West Virginia, and western Maryland within Ecological Provinces M221 (Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest) and 221 (Eastern Broadleaf Forest – Oceanic) of the National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units. Provinces are broad geographic areas that share similar coarse features, such as climate, glacial history, and vegetation types, a landscape comprised of some of the oldest and most biologically diverse forests in North America.

NIACS Unit

Appalachian (hemlock)/northern hardwood forest

Dry calcareous forest, woodland, and glade

Dry oak and pine/oak forest and woodland

Dry/mesic oak forest

Large stream floodplain and riparian forest

Mixed mesophytic and cove forest

North-central interior beech/maple forest

Small stream riparian forest

Spruce/fir forest

Multi-family residential

Commercial/ Industrial

Agricultural facilities and infrastructure

Agricultural tree plantations

Associated agricultural lands

Non-agricultural rural developed land

Non-agricultural designated protected area

Large stream floodplain and riparian forest

GeoJson

central_app.topojson21.41 KB

Vulnerability Assessment

Central Appalachians Forest Ecosystem Vulnerability Assessment and Synthesis

Vulnerability Assessment Video

Video presentation and other resources

Climate Impact Statements

Temperatures in the Central Appalachians region are projected to increase on average by 5.27 to 9.11 °F by the end of the century.

The winter season will be shorter and milder across the Central Appalachians region, with less precipitation falling as snow and reduced snow cover and depth.

The growing season in the Central Appalachians is generally expected to increase by 21 days or more by the end of the century, due to fewer days with a minimum temperatures below 32°F.

Precipitation patterns will be altered, with projected increases in total annual precipitation distributed unevenly among colder months (more) and warmer months (less).

Intense precipitation events will continue to become more frequent across the Central Appalachians.

The winter season will be shorter and milder winters in the Central Appalachians, with less precipitation falling as snow and reduced snow cover and depth.

Soil moisture patterns will change in the Central Appalachians, with drier soil conditions later in the growing season.

Climate change impacts on forest conditions will increase fire risks in the Central Appalachians by the end of the century

Many invasive species, insect pests, and pathogens in the Central Appalachians will increase or become more damaging.

Suitable habitat for northern species will decline in the Central Appalachians.

Suitable habitat for southern species will increase in the Central Appalachians.

Low-diversity systems in the Central Appalachians are at greater risk from climate change.

Species in Central Appalachian fragmented landscapes will have less opportunity to migrate in response to climate change.

Central Appalachians systems that are limited by hydrologic regime or geological features may be topographically constrained.

Central Appalachians systems that are more tolerant of disturbance have less risk of declining on the landscape

Ecosystems occupying habitat in areas of high landscape complexity have more opportunities for persistence in pockets of refugia in the Central Appalachians.

The urban heat island effect can exacerbate the effects of increasing temperatures.

Impervious cover can exacerbate the effects of increased heavy precipitation events in urban areas.

Forest composition will change across the landscape

Tree regeneration and recruitment will change

Forest productivity will increase during the next several decades in the absence of significant stressors

Surface water temperatures are expected to rise due to warming air temperatures

Inland lakes are warming, and continued warming will decrease seasonal mixing of stratified lakes and reduce available dissolved oxygen

Seasonal variation in soil moisture and altered precipitation may influence the magnitude and duration of flood events.

Low streamflow events may become more frequent and deliver lower water volumes

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