Prioritizing Opportunities to Empower Forest Carbon Decisions Through Strategic Investment in Forest Modeling Capacity

Journal of Forestry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 26, 2025

Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, acting as substantial sinks and offering pathways for climate change mitigation adaptation strategies, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emission offsetting bioeconomic opportunities collectively referred to Natural Climate Solutions (NCS). Over 100 forest modeling experts, primarily from US, were engaged through Carbon Modeling Group (FCMG) identify prioritize research needs, opportunities, knowledge gaps refining application of NCS meet growing spectrum GHG strategies initially focused on US forests with possible applicability other temperate/boreal systems. This engagement informed development framework decision-making, which offers scalable, hierarchical, transdisciplinary approach that can address immediate needs (e.g., regeneration modeling) while advancing critical, long-term scientific advances lateral flux aligns technology model perspectives across users sectors over .

Language: Английский

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Definition criteria determine the success of old-growth mapping

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 159, P. 111709 - 111709

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Old-growth forests have been widely studied for decades. The extreme diversity of old forest characteristics has inspired an equally diverse set old-growth definitions, and makes mapping difficult across large areas different types. While the use remote sensing in research is not new, there a growing need scale to improve understanding processes support conservation. requires definitions that are ecologically relevant while also transferable data. In this paper we develop conceptual framework evaluate three dimensions old-growth—a temporal dimension related tree ages, physical sizes, functional processes. first part our analysis, classify throughout eastern US as or with respect each using existing data from Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) program. We estimate proportion classified within hexagon grid, resulting unique map (OFP) dimension. Subsequently, spaceborne lidar NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) reproduce OFP modeling designed 1) assess extent which oldness can be mapped at spatial scales, 2) identify biophysical GEDI variables oldness. only 2% any satisfied criteria all dimensions. found substantial variation estimates dimensions, highlighting how definition impacts maps. physically were more effectively than functionally temporally forests, structurally similar one another forests. Our results indicate may best suited characteristics, rely solely on do adequately represent US. propose future efforts maximize utility through collaboration between western indigenous experts determine broad yet nuanced approaches appropriately tailored target variable These should balance explicit specifically linked remotely sensed data, appropriate resolutions, 3) flexible quantitative frameworks encompass complexities heterogeneity

Language: Английский

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Scientific Definitions and Measurements of Second-Growth, Mature, and Old-Growth Forests

Journal of Forestry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Abstract We examined US scientists’ (1) use of second-growth, mature, and old-growth forest in scientific publication titles, (2) definitions forest, (3) sampling methods forest. “Second-growth forest” (55 titles) “mature (40) experienced the most frequent 2010s. “Old-growth (247) had 1990s. Definitions second-growth originated from successional theory were consistent across scientists. mature lacked consensus. increased complexity as scientists integrated biological, social, political factors. Soil was abiotic factor measured forests. In forests it dead organic matter. Trees common life form all The results show that researchers would benefit a clearer differentiation between formal definition for

Language: Английский

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Tree age estimation across the U.S. using forest inventory and analysis database

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 584, P. 122603 - 122603

Published: March 2, 2025

Language: Английский

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Microclimate Refugia Are Transient in Stable Old Forests, Pacific Northwest, USA

AGU Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(3)

Published: April 30, 2025

Abstract An issue of global concern is how climate change forcing transmitted to ecosystems. Forest ecosystems in mountain landscapes may demonstrate buffering and perhaps decoupling long‐term rates temperature change, because vegetation, topography, local winds (e.g., cold air pooling) influence potentially create microclimate refugia (areas which are relatively protected from change). We tested these ideas by comparing 45‐year regional unique temporal spatial records the understory regionally representative stable old forest at H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon, USA. The seasonal patterns warming were similar throughout forested landscape matched observed 88 standard meteorological stations Oregon Washington, indicating buffering, but not rates. Consideration energy balance explains results: while shading airflows produce temperature, processes do counteract increases driven increased downward, longwave radiation forced anthropogenic greenhouse gases atmosphere. In some months, equaled or exceeded differences between canopy openings was comparable over 1,000 m elevation, other months there has been little change. These findings have implications they indicate that transient, even this landscape.

Language: Английский

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Long-term tree population growth can predict woody encroachment patterns

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(18)

Published: May 1, 2025

Recent increases in woody plant density dryland ecosystems-or "woody encroachment"-around the world are often attributed to land-use changes such as increased livestock grazing and wildfire suppression or global environmental trends (e.g., increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide). While have undoubtedly impacted ecosystem structure function, evidence linking them encroachment is mixed, underlying processes not fully understood. To clarify role of demographic changing abundance, we conducted a meta-analysis tree age structures from 29 woodland populations across interior western United States, estimating per-capita establishment rates over last several hundred years using models. We found only limited following 19th-century Euro-American settlement. On contrary, our results showed that observed dominated by young trees, cited driven anthropogenic processes, can be largely predicted null model based on steady, multiplicative population growth. Moreover, demonstrated century mostly declined rather than increased, they currently at their lowest since least 1600 CE. Our suggest large part modern may fact result long-term increases, failing consider growth lead an overestimation settlement effects stand structure.

Language: Английский

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Climate and nitrogen deposition constrain the maximum size-density boundary for mature and old-growth stands

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: March 26, 2025

Forest stocking guidelines traditionally reference self-thinning lines representing the tradeoff between maximum trees per unit area vs. mean tree size for even-aged stands. While are roughly linear on logarithmic scales, certain forest types display a curvilinear “mature stand boundary” (MSB). The existence of MSB suggests that beyond self-thinning, processes such as recruitment limitation, density-independent mortality, and their interactions with site quality may also contribute to more universal size-density boundary (MSDB). To advance modeling management mature stands under global change, we investigated: (1) how MSDB differ biologically in response climate N deposition, (2) whether mortality curvilinearity MSDB. accomplish this, compiled inventory, climate, total deposition data four western U.S. (California mixed-conifer, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, pinyon-juniper). We examined three aspects climate: thermal loading, aridity, seasonality precipitation. used 0.95 quantile regression model generalized recruitment. Unlike studies found abrupt MSBs, evidence MSDBs all types, and/or modulating degree curvilinearity. Aridity constrained medium-large diameter California mixed-conifer while higher growing-season precipitation large-diameter pine. Heavier lowered pinyon-juniper. In steepened slope small-diameter Mortality was consistent along concentrated Douglas-fir stands, pinyon-juniper Recruitment elevated types. Our results support roles both driving MSDBs. findings caution against assuming consistently defines throughout development, having important implications old-growth especially at extremes resource availability where limitations traditional tools be most acute.

Language: Английский

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Classifying mature federal forests in the United States: The forest inventory growth stage system

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 546, P. 121361 - 121361

Published: Aug. 25, 2023

Language: Английский

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What Drives the Spatial Variation of Interregional Ancient Trees? A Geoinformatics–Based Approach in Henan, Central China

Forests, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 1010 - 1010

Published: June 9, 2024

In the context of ecological civilization construction in China, interregional ancient trees are important natural and cultural resources, it is vital that they effectively protected utilized according to their spatial distribution regional conditions order provide a balance between local economic development environment. This article analyzes heterogeneity 26,842 explores underlying human factors by using geoinformatics–based techniques (i.e., nearest neighbor index, kernel density, autocorrelation, geographically weighted regression model) Henan Province, Central China. The research findings conclude that: (1) show positive aggregation effect Western most significant. (2) growing environment elevation exert more obvious influence on pattern trees. (3) main influencing per region different, for example, historical culture Henan, water source Southern Eastern while Northern have weak relationship with each factor. facilitates political strategy making sustainable protection

Language: Английский

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Increasing woodland density in the western US over the last 200 years was driven by long-term plant demography rather than Euro-American settlement

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 9, 2024

Abstract Recent increases of woody plant density in dryland ecosystems around the world are often attributed to land use changes such as increased livestock grazing and fire suppression, or climatic trends driven by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide 1,2 . While have undoubtedly impacted ecosystem structure function, evidence linking them encroachment is mixed demographic processes underlying abundance require further consideration 3 After examining tree age structures from woodlands across interior western USA using models, we find little widespread per-capita establishment rates following 19 th century Euro-American settlement. Woodlands dominated young trees been cited a number anthropogenic processes, but demonstrate they can also be accurately predicted null model including only steady long-term population growth. Contrary common interpretations, show that last mostly declined, rather than increased, fact currently at their lowest since least 1600 CE.

Language: Английский

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