Your woods are always changing and adapting as they grow and mature, or regrow after agricultural abandonment, natural disturbances, or harvesting activities. Events like storms, droughts, insect and disease outbreaks, or other stressors can damage trees or slow their growth. A changing climate may make your woods more susceptible to the problems these events can cause.
New England’s climate has changed considerably during the 20th century. Changes in climate will have significant implications for forests and how forests are managed in New England. Sustainable management strategies that maintain species, structural, or age class diversity are important in the face of climate change
Lists projected climate impacts on the Narrows Wildlife Management Area. Includes the suggested harvest plans for this area.
The sugar maple tree’s limited distribution is affected by high temperatures, low rainfall, and unseasonable variation in the onset of spring warming events. Climate change can impact the production of maple syrup.
Forests are an invaluable economic and environmental resource of Vermont. Climate change will likely affect many forest functions that humans rely on, including clean water, recreational opportunities, forest products, wildlife habitat, and colorful fall foliage.
Forests are a defining landscape feature across the footprint of the Northern Forests Climate Hub, which spans the Midwest and Northeast Regional Climate Hubs. Northern forests contain 42% of all US forests, 32% of US timberlands, and 41% of the US population, and are central to ecological, economic, and cultural values in the region. These ecosystems are already responding to changing conditions, and climate change is anticipated to have a pervasive influence on forests and wildlife over the coming decades.
Forests and other ecosystems act as carbon sinks, and they sequester carbon dioxide through plant growth, removing it from the atmosphere. The Forest Service is a leader in developing tools for carbon assessment, management, and forest carbon cycle science.
The Climate Smart Land Network (CSLN) provides forest landowners and managers with direct access to the forest and climate experts at Manomet, and the opportunity to benefit from other forest landowners in the Network. Bulletin series on climate change issues in forest management for forest landowners.
