Habitat suitability for many of the mesic upland forest's dominant species, such as sugar maple, beech, basswood, and white ash, is projected to decline by the end of the century.

Multiple forest impact models tend to agree that habitat suitability and establishment of sugar maple will decrease, with complete losses of suitable habitat in the Missouri Ozarks, and a reduction in suitable habitat in the eastern part of the region. Models also suggest decreases for American beech, basswood, and white ash across multiple scenarios.