Forest

FAR2

Taxonomy Machine Name
niacs_strategy_far2
Taxonomy Alias
far2

Forest composition will change across the landscape in New England and northern New York.

Submitted by Maria on

Changes in distribution for individual species is expected to lead to shifts in forest assemblages and tree species may rearrange into novel communities.Major shifts in overstory species composition may not be observable until well into the 21st century because of the long time frames associated with many ecosystem processes and responses to climate change. These shifts, however, may become more apparent along ecotones where boreal species reach the southern edge of their range.

Forest productivity in New England and northern New York will increase during the next several decades in the absence of significant stressors.

Submitted by Maria on

Model projections that show future changes in habitat for many tree species do not account for migration constraints, longevity of current species, or differences among age classes. Because mature trees are expected to remain on the landscape, and recruitment of new species is expected to be limited, major shifts in species composition will not likely be observed by the middle of the century, except along ecotonal boundaries and in areas that undergo major stand-replacing disturbance events.

Forest vegetation in New England and northern New York may face increased risk of moisture deficit and drought during the growing season.

Submitted by Maria on

The uncertainty of future precipitation patterns makes it difficult to determine whether conditions may become dry enough to increase moisture stress for plants in the Northeast. Forests that are affected by moisture deficits and drought are more likely to experience reduced tree vigor or increased mortality, both of which can affect forest composition and structure. Further, warmer temperatures can drive or enhance drought-induced mortality by disrupting plant physiology . This “hotter drought” can also interact with other forest stressors to cause tree death and forest die-off .

Certain insect pests and pathogens will increase in occurrence or become more damaging in New England and northern New York.

Submitted by Maria on

The loss of a traditionally cold climate and short growing season in the region may allow some insect pests and pathogens to expand their ranges northward such as hemlock woolly adelgid and southern pine beetle. Forest impacts from insect pests and pathogens are generally more severe in ecosystems that are stressed by drought and other stressors. Basic information is often lacking on the climatic thresholds that trigger increased populations of many forest pests, and our ability to predict the mechanisms of infection, dispersal, and transmission for disease agents remains low.

Forest vegetation may face increased risk of moisture deficit and drought during the growing season.

Submitted by Maria on

The uncertainty of future precipitation patterns makes it difficult to determine whether conditions may become dry enough to increase moisture stress for plants in the Northeast. Forests that are affected by moisture deficits and drought are more likely to experience reduced tree vigor or increased mortality, both of which can affect forest composition and structure. Further, warmer temperatures can drive or enhance drought-induced mortality by disrupting plant physiology . This “hotter drought” can also interact with other forest stressors to cause tree death and forest die-off.

Lowland Conifer

Submitted by Maria on

A broad range of forested wetlands with a conifer or mixed conifer-hardwood overstory. These forested wetlands typically have saturated soils, which may also be seasonally flooded. Many of these forests are associated with limestone or other calcareous substrate and have acidic and nutrient-poor soils. Soils are primarily mineral, though there may be peat development or organic muck accumulation in headwater wetlands and depressions. Various conifer species may be present based on local conditions, such as black spruce, tamarack, and eastern hemlock.

Lowland and Riparian Hardwood

Submitted by Maria on

A range of forested wetlands found in depressions and low-lying areas, along waterways, and in floodplains. These forests are heavily influenced by local hydrology, with plant communities that reflect the occurrence of seasonal flooding, erosion, groundwater seepage, or other local dynamics. Better-drained soils may support a variety of hardwood species suited to local conditions, often dominated by pin oak, swamp white oak, shagbark hickory, and sweetgum.

Woodland, Glades, and Barrens

Submitted by Maria on

Composed of several unique forests that are associated with specific rock substrates at low to mid-elevations, these forests occupy the driest sites, and some sites are driven by fire while others are unaffected. Eastern red cedar, common in the absence of fire, is typically found in an open, stunted canopy with sugar maple, northern red and white oak, pignut hickory, eastern redbud, and hackberry. Pitch pine, Virginia pine, scrub oak, and white oak can occupy the driest areas.

Central Oak-Pine

Submitted by Maria on

Oak and oak-pine forests are found in dry to mesic conditions across a variety of sites, from low to high elevations. This type occurs as a large matrix and patches and dominates the central Mid-Atlantic region. Fire history largely determines community composition at individual occurrences. Dominant species in these forests include drought-tolerant oaks, especially northern red, white, black, chestnut, or scarlet oak. Soils are often acidic, and range from dry, and nutrient-poor to relatively basic and moist.

Northern Hardwood

Submitted by Maria on

Northern hardwood forests are diverse and widely distributed over a variety of sites from 800 to 3500 feet in elevation. Sites can range from dry-mesic to wet-mesic conditions and nutrient-poor to enriched glaciated or unglaciated soils. The highest elevations support sugar maple, yellow birch, and American beech, sometimes mixed with or dominated by eastern hemlock. Tulip tree, basswood, northern red oak, black cherry, and white pine are often found on moist and well-drained sites, with associates of beech, sugar maple, red maple, white ash, and grey and black (sweet) birch.

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