Forestry in the Face of Global Change: Results of a Global Survey of Professionals

Current Forestry Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(6), P. 473 - 489

Published: Nov. 13, 2023

Abstract Purpose of Review Forests support most global terrestrial biodiversity and contribute to the livelihood billions people, but these other benefits are in jeopardy due change. This leads questions, such as how address challenges change forest management, given lack knowledge deep uncertainty about future developments. In addition, many impediments implement adaptation strategies unknown. Recent Findings Here, we present an overview results from a survey 754 forestry professionals (370 researchers educators, 227 practicing foresters, 37 policymakers, 64 administrators, 56 with or unspecified roles) 61 countries across 6 continents who were interested issues. These asked their opinion regarding three different strategies: resist , adapt transform . Most respondents agreed that majority factors will negatively influence ability forests provide desired ecosystem services. Similarly, they major when implementing specifically whether our current base is sufficient. concerns not limited ecological aspects, also highlighted need for better appreciation social/political economic barriers, especially transformation strategies. response patterns, including differences status, highlight importance developing evaluating local social–ecological context. Summary Our study demonstrates widespread perception on part around world, among practitioners, affect sustainable management negatively, resulting active silvicultural adaption. The suggest potential barriers strategies, particularly relative information social acceptance Further, this highlights political understand general public’s values well public perceived by managers.

Language: Английский

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Re-appraisal of the global climatic role of natural forests for improved climate projections and policies

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: July 20, 2023

Along with the accumulation of atmospheric greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, loss primary forests and other natural ecosystems is a major disruption Earth's system causing global concern. Quantifying planetary warming from emissions, climate models highlight forests' high storage potential supporting conservation policies. However, some model outcomes effectively deprioritize boreal temperate by suggesting that increased albedo upon deforestation could cool planet. A conflict cooling vs. regional forest harm environmental Here we present theoretical observational evidence to demonstrate that, compared carbon-related warming, modeling skills for assessing climatic impacts low. We argue estimates deforestation-induced result models' limited capacity account effect evapotranspiration intact forests. Specifically, transpiration trees can change via small modifications vertical temperature profile. due their convective parameterization (which postulates certain critical profile), do not properly capture this effect. This may lead an underestimation in both low latitudes. As result, conclusions about are robust action immediately worsened warming. To avoid deepening crisis, these should inform policies vegetation cover management, especially as studies multiple fields accumulating better quantify stabilizing impact evolved maintain homeostasis. Given state our understanding ecosystems, optimal policy immediate benefits would be moratorium on exploitation all

Language: Английский

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Coordinating old-growth conservation across scales of space, time, and biodiversity: lessons from the US policy debate

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

Published: April 9, 2025

Conservation of old-growth forests and their biodiversity climate benefits requires coordinated actions across spatiotemporal scales, including restrictions on harvest old mature trees longer-term landscape planning for recovery. In 2024, the US government drafted a National Old-Growth Amendment (NOGA) to enhance consideration growth in planning. The amendment was never finalized due change administrations. However, debate associated with proposed NOGA remains relevant several reasons. key points also underpin discussion regarding ongoing regional policy initiatives such as amendments Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP). illustrates questions that should inform national under future Lastly, highlights challenges common globally nations implement Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Although provides useful foundation initiatives, more attention must be paid implications variation context which occurs ecosystems. New learn from efforts, NWFP’s insights design reserves is essential conservation species, services, processes Reserves, conceived places where extractive uses are restricted but beneficial human activities supported, compatible strategies ecosystem restoration Indigenous-led conservation. An approach builds NOGA’s adaptive can form long-term forest ecosystems by protecting refugia, addressing barriers connectivity, enhancing monitoring capacity. Ecosystem-based standards needed ensure protection so recruitment into stage shifts towards historic proportions growth. addition clarifying goals ecological integrity, comprehensive incorporate recovering at-risk species based relationships scales between habitat viability. Land management agencies need articulate vision recovery depleted elements (including both naturally disturbed younger stands) via designation large areas anchored remaining stands, surrounded managed native biodiversity, services.

Language: Английский

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Landscape context and spatial attributes matter for New England cottontail occupancy

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 87(6)

Published: May 9, 2023

Abstract In response to the widespread threat of habitat loss, managers imperiled species commonly focus on restoring encourage establishment (i.e., field dreams hypothesis). Habitat management strategies for rare New England cottontail ( Sylvilagus transitionalis ) have largely followed hypothesis, focusing increasing area young and regenerating forest throughout species' range increase populations species. Recently researchers indicated that these practices may not be as effective when introduced eastern floridanus co‐occupies patches with cottontail. Using data from Cottontail Regional Monitoring Program collected in Connecticut, USA, 2016–2020 geospatial create dynamic occupancy models, we determined how both patch landscape characteristics influence patterns. We ran 4 models: 1 at scale each Large short interpatch distances increased patterns more than vegetation height <2.5 m. colonization positively responded amount shrublands within weakly regeneration, type most created by actions probability was low scale, lower extinction probabilities, suggesting current sufficient allow metapopulations persist. Overall, our results indicate solely restoration, or applying conserve cottontail, a is dependent, dispersal limited, threatened an competitor, does promote persistence landscape.

Language: Английский

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Forest Management Is Key for Conserving Biodiversity and Providing Ecosystem Services in the United States

Forests, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(12), P. 2087 - 2087

Published: Nov. 26, 2024

Forests are valuable for a wide variety of reasons, including biodiversity and carbon sequestration storage. As such, in the U.S., various parties have proposed large-scale forest management efforts to enhance conservation sequestration. Others, contrast, argue that forests should not be harvested used legal action prevent timber harvest on public lands. However, given modern U.S. reduced extent compared pre-settlement times, subject rate natural disturbances but experience novel such as invasive pests elevated fire risk, out ecological balance due past human activities, we suggest active is only aligned with sustainability necessary conserve maximum feasible range biodiversity. In many areas species most need depend open canopy or early seral conditions, both which can created maintained by harvest. We wood products simultaneously produces these needed whereas setting aside from benefits subset Although subjected important landscape components, also restore once-common types oak (Quercus spp.) woodland, mitigate pests, reduce manage disturbed declining landscape. document current unbalanced conditions focus eastern demonstrate issues.

Language: Английский

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Re-appraisal of the global climatic role of natural forests for improved climate projections and policies

arXiv (Cornell University), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Along with the accumulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide, loss primary forests and other natural ecosystems is a major disruption Earth system causing global concern. Quantifying planetary warming from emissions, climate models highlight forests' high storage potential supporting conservation policies. However, some model outcomes effectively deprioritize boreal temperate suggesting that increased albedo upon deforestation could cool planet. Potential conflict cooling versus regional forest harm environmental Here we present theoretical observational evidence to demonstrate that, compared carbon-related warming, skills for assessing climatic impacts low. We argue deforestation-induced results models' limited capacity account effect evapotranspiration intact forests. Transpiration trees can change greenhouse via small modifications vertical temperature profile. Due their convective parameterization (which postulates certain critical profile), do not properly capture this effect. This may lead underestimation in both low latitidues, therefore, conclusions about are robust. To avoid deepening crisis, these should inform policies vegetation cover management. Studies mounting quantifying stabilizing impact evolved maintain homeostasis. Given state our understanding ecosystems, an optimal policy would be moratorium on exploitation all

Language: Английский

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