Wildlife Management

Wildlife Management

Taxonomy Machine Name
sector_wildlife_management
Taxonomy Alias
wildlife_management
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Deer herbivory is currently limiting to seedling establishment and growth, and deer populations are not expected to change dramatically due to climate alone. However, preferred browse species may change as forest composition changes.

Submitted by sdhandler on

Deer use conifer-rich lowlands to avoid severe winter weather, so even low deer populations can be damaging. Changes in herbivore populations may have substantial effects on forest growth and composition. Browsing pressure may increase on hardwood species as northern white-cedar and other conifers decline.

Insect pests and forests diseases could become more problematic in lowland conifer forests under a warmer climate.

Submitted by sdhandler on

Climate change may amplify several major stressors that are already affecting this forest system. Warmer temperatures may dampen the effects of the eastern spruce budworm, but allow balsam woolly adelgid and hemlock woolly adelgid to increase and spread more easily . Tree susceptibility to insect infestations are expected to increase as trees become moisture-stressed. Studies suggest that insect pests may increase in northern forests due to increased metabolic activity in active periods and increased winter survival.

Increases in temperature and altered precipitation patterns could significantly alter the hydrology of lowland conifer forests.

Submitted by sdhandler on

Peak streamflow is expected to shift to earlier in the spring and increased precipitation is expected to intensify spring peak flows. An increase in intense precipitation is likely to result in more frequent flooding. Reduced precipitation in the summer and fall is may result in drier conditions and a lower water table, which would negatively affect rain-fed ecosystems.

Fewer than a dozen species make up the lowland conifer community, and most are projected to decline under both climate scenarios.

Submitted by sdhandler on

This community has relatively few species compared to other forest communities and many of them are threatened by insect pests. As the current dominant species decline, the functional identity of this ecosystem will be greatly challenged. Some tree species may be more likley to persist or increase through the end of the century , such as red maple.

Many lowland conifer tree species are expected to decline, including including balsam fir, black ash, black spruce, eastern hemlock, eastern white pine, red spruce, tamarack, and northern white-cedar. Yellow birch and red maple may also decline.

Submitted by sdhandler on

Multiple forest impact models tend to agree that many species are more likely to decline in suitable habitat and biomass across a range of climate scenarios by the end of the century. These are largely northern species near their southern range limits in the Mid-Atlantic region. Yellow birch and red maple are projected to decline under the high emissions scenario only. Common associate species, such as American beech, American elm, and white ash, may not be able to increase as much as projected due to substantial impacts from insects and diseases.

Lowland conifer forests may have limited tolerance to changes in precipitation and water tables. Prolonged flooding may exceed the tolerance of some species, and increased drought risk is also a serious threat.

Submitted by sdhandler on

This forested wetland community is limited to areas that remain wetter and cooler than adjacent uplands. They occur in a range of hydrologic and soil conditions which are expected to be disturbed through increased severe precipitation events and flooding, increased risk of drought, and changes in the water table or relative influence of precipitation versus groundwater. Historical land use has already resulted in altered hydrology in some locations; this legacy will likely continue to stress the system as the precipitation regime changes.

High levels of diversity may increase the ability of forests to adapt to climate change.

Submitted by sdhandler on

These forests tend to have fairly high species diversity, which may increase the number of ways in which the ecosystem can adjust to changing conditions while maintaining important ecosystem functions. Many tree species are often present, representing a broad mix of tolerances and reproductive strategies.

Invasive species such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, and garlic mustard are expected to become more problematic under climate change.

Submitted by sdhandler on

There are many invasive plant species, insect pests, and forest diseases that have negative impacts on central oak-pine forests, many of which are expected to increase through the direct and indirect effects of climate change. Invasive species such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, and garlic mustard are already threats to some forests, and invasive species are expected to increase in abundance under climate change, particularly where forests are disturbed. Invasive species can also impair regeneration of native species.

Deer herbivory is currently very limiting to oak seedling establishment and growth, and deer populations are not expected to change dramatically due to climate alone.

Submitted by sdhandler on

Changes in snowfall amount and duration throughout the assessment area may change the wintertime foraging behavior for herbivores such as white-tailed dee. Where present, deer may benefit in many parts of the region as warmer winter temperatures and reduced snow depth increase access to winter forage.

Forest pests including spongy moth (L. dispar) and southern pine beetle are already a serious threat to oaks and pines, and are expected to benefit from warmer and drier conditions. Drought stress may increase the risk of oak decline or sudden oak death.

Submitted by sdhandler on

Studies suggest that insect pests may increase due to increased metabolic activity in active periods and increased winter survival. Insect pests, such as spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) and southern pine beetle are expected to cause more frequent and severe damage under climate change, and new pests present unknown risks. Trees stressed by heat, drought, or disturbance are also typically more vulnerable to insect pests and diseases. Damage from existing native pests such as two-lined chestnut borer could combine with drought stress, for example.