Southern or temperate species in northern Wisconsin and western Upper Michigan will be favored by climate change.

Submitted by sdhandler on

Impact models agree that many temperate species will experience increasing suitable habitat and biomass across northern Wisconsin and western Upper Michigan, and that longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures will lead to productivity increases for temperate forest types. The list of species projected to increase includes shagbark hickory, black cherry, bur oak, white oak, and a variety of minor southern species. Models also indicate that deciduous forest types have the potential for large productivity increases across the Upper Midwest. In addition, suitable habitat may become available for species not currently found in northern Wisconsin and western Upper Michigan (e.g., pignut hickory, sycamore, and post oak) by the end of the century. Habitat fragmentation and dispersal limitations could hinder the northward movement of southern species, despite the increase in habitat suitability. Most species can be expected to migrate more slowly than their habitats will shift. Pests and diseases such as emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease are also expected to limit some species projected to increase.

Evidence
Agreement