[PCA] NEWS: Adapting to climate change in United States national forests

[Olivia Kwong]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
This and other articles are available in the latest edition of Unasylva 
(Vol. 60, 2009/1-2), focusing on climate change issues around the world.
See: http://www.fao.org/forestry/unasylva/en/

Adapting to climate change in United States national forests
G.M. Blate, L.A. Joyce, J.S. Littell, S.G. McNulty, C.I. Millar, S.C.
Moser, R.P. Neilson, K. O’Halloran and D.L. Peterson
Unasylva 231/232, Vol. 60, 2009
Climate change is already affecting forests and other ecosystems, and
additional, potentially more severe impacts are expected (IPCC, 2007; CCSP,
2008a, 2008b). As a result, forest managers are seeking practical guidance
on how to adapt their current practices and, if necessary, their goals.
Adaptations of forest ecosystems, which in this context refer to
adjustments in management (as opposed to “natural” adaptation), ideally
would reduce the negative impacts of climate change and help managers take
advantage of any positive impacts.

This article summarizes key points from a review of climate change
adaptation options for United States national forests (Joyce et al., 2008)
produced under the auspices of the United States Climate Change Science
Program (CCSP) (see Box). The study sought to provide practical information
on potential adaptation options for resource managers by asking:
• How will climate change affect the ability of resource managers to
achieve their management goals?
• What might a resource manager do to prepare the management system for
climate change impacts while maintaining current goals (and constantly
evaluating if these goals need to be modified or re-prioritized)?