Increases in drought, invasive plants, insects, disease, and wildfire are expected to negatively affect forest productivity in some parts of the region. Lags in migration of species to newly suitable habitat may also result in reduced productivity, at least in the short term. However, some of these declines may be offset by the positive effects increased carbon dioxide (CO2) has on photosynthetic rates and water use efficiency, and by a longer growing season. Changes in productivity may be mixed and localized, with warming and CO2-induced increases in some areas and decreases from pests, diseases, and other stressors in others.
Evidence
Agreement