New England | Adaptation Workbook

New England

NIACS Unit

Northern hardwood

Central hardwood-pine

Lowland and riparian forest

Forested wetlands

Low-elevation spruce-fir

Lowland mixed conifer

Montane spruce-fir

Pitch pine-scrub oak

Transition hardwood

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

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Vulnerability Assessment

New England and northern New York forest ecosystem vulnerability assessment and…

Vulnerability Assessment Video

Video presentation: Climate Change Impacts for New England Forests

Climate Impact Statements

Temperatures in New England are projected to increase 5.3 to 9.1 °F by late century (2071-2100), with the greatest warming expected to occur during winter.

The growing season in New England and northern New York is generally expected to increase by 20 days or more by the end of the century, due to fewer days with a minimum temperatures below 32°F.

The winter season will be shorter and milder across New England and northern New York, with less precipitation falling as snow and reduced snow cover and depth.

Under the most probable scenarios, sea levels along the Northeast Atlantic coast are projected to rise between 2 feet and 4.5 feet (0.6 m and 1.4 m) on average in the region by 2100.

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 in New England and northern New York.

The timing and amount of stream flow is expected to change over then next century across New England and northern New York.

Warmer temperatures and altered precipitation in New England and northern New York will interact to change soil moisture patterns throughout the year, with the potential for both wetter and drier conditions depending on the location and season.

Forest vegetation in New England and northern New York may face increased risk of moisture deficit and drought during the growing season.

Certain insect pests and pathogens will increase in occurrence or become more damaging in New England and northern New York.

Many invasive plants will increase in extent or abundance in New England and northern New York.

Many northern and boreal tree species will face increasing stress across much of New England and northern New York.

Habitat will become more suitable in New England and northern New York for some southern species.

Forest composition will change across the landscape in New England and northern New York.

Shifts in forest composition in New England and northern New York will take at least several decades to occur in the absence of major disturbance.

Conditions affecting tree regeneration and recruitment will change in New England and northern New York.

Forest productivity in New England and northern New York will increase during the next several decades in the absence of significant stressors.

Low-diversity systems are at greater risk from climate change.

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

Systems that are limited to particular environments will have less opportunity to migrate in response to climate change.

Systems that are more tolerant of disturbance have less risk of declining on the landscape

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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