Recreation

Recreation

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Many of the common tree species in the dry calcareous forest, woodland, and glade ecosystem are projected to increase through the end of the century.

Submitted by dshannon on

Forest impact models project that eastern redcedar, white oak, and post oak will remain relatively stable or increase in suitable habitat, potential growth, and volume under both climate scenarios. White oak is long-lived and able to persist in the shaded understory until openings are naturally created in the canopy. Eastern redcedar, and to a lesser extent white oak, are dependent on disturbance and expected to benefit from soil moisture deficits, fire, and other disturbances.

Wildfire potential for dry calcareous forests, woodlands and glades, could increase under drier conditions, although fire intensity will determine whether it is a positive or negative impact.

Submitted by dshannon on

Low-intensity fire could benefit this ecosystem by reducing the eastern redcedar component
in the woodland portions of this ecosystem that are becoming overgrown. However, high-intensity fire that results in widespread mortality of eastern redcedar will dramatically change this ecosystem. Severe drought, projected temperature increases, and increased fire may allow expansion of the woodland and glade elements at the expense of the forested areas.

Insect pests and diseases in Appalachian (hemlock)/northern hardwood forests may become more damaging under a warmer climate.

Submitted by dshannon on

Hemlock woolly adelgid, beech bark disease, emerald ash borer, and other pests currently impact many species in this ecosystem and may cause more frequent and severe damage in climate-stressed forests, while new pests such as Asian longhorn beetle and gypsy moth present new risks

Many dominant species within the Appalachian (hemlock)/northern hardwood forest are at risk of decline, especially under the higher emissions scenario.

Submitted by dshannon on

Forest impact models agree that American beech, eastern hemlock (considered a keystone species where it occurs), and sugar maple are likely to decline through the end of the century. Results are mixed for red maple, tulip tree, black cherry, and white ash, which are projected to lose suitable habitat but maintain potential growth and volume.

Increased heat and moisture stress and more frequent disturbances are expected to interact and place increased stress on the Appalachian (hemlock)/northern hardwood forest ecosystem.

Submitted by dshannon on

Climate change may also alter the gap-phase dynamics that enable the regeneration of many shade-tolerant species if damaging storms, pest outbreaks, or wildfires become more frequent or widespread.

Decreased precipitation and increased temperatures may interact to ultimately decrease soil moisture during summer and fall for Appalachian (hemlock)/northern hardwood forests.

Submitted by dshannon on

The greatest impacts are expected to occur on southwest-facing slopes or marginal soils.

Spruce/fir forest

Submitted by dshannon on

This forest ecosystem consists of forests, woody wetlands, shrublands, and grasslands on a variety of landforms in the highest elevation zone of the Allegheny Mountains, ranging from 2400 to 4600 feet. It is dominated by combinations of red spruce and balsam fir, and can include yellow birch, eastern hemlock, red maple, sweet birch, cucumbertree, American mountain ash, black cherry, American beech, mountain magnolia, black ash, and sugar maple.

Small stream riparian forest

Submitted by dshannon on

This forest ecosystem is a matrix of uplands and wetlands found along creeks, small streams, and medium rivers with low to moderately high gradients and oxbows. Common species include sycamore, red maple, silver maple, river birch, boxelder, eastern hemlock, black walnut, pawpaw, American hornbeam, and American elm.

North-central interior beech/maple forest

Submitted by dshannon on

"This forest ecosystem is primarily found in the glaciated portion of Ohio, where varying microtopography and moisture regimes create mixed communities of upland and lowland species. Common species include sugar maple, American beech, northern red oak, American basswood, eastern hemlock, black cherry, tulip tree, red maple, white ash, and eastern hophornbeam."

Mixed mesophytic and cove forest

Submitted by dshannon on

This forest is mostly limited to West Virginia and consists of hardwood or hemlock-hardwoods in sheltered topographic positions, often on concave slopes or in areas with high precipitation. Common species include sugar maple, white ash, American basswood, yellow buckeye, tulip tree, red maple, eastern hemlock, cucumbertree, American beech, sweet birch, northern red oak, black cherry, mountain magnolia, and black oak.

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