Jessica E. Halofsky1, David L. Peterson1, and
Kathy A. O’Halloran2
1Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory,
Seattle, WA
2Olympic National Forest, Olympia, WA
Adaptation strategies for climate change in
forest ecosystems of the western U.S.
Background
Climate either directly or indirectly influences a myriad of ecosystem processes. Likely realities of increased temperatures in the western U.S.
include increased fire frequency and extent, insect outbreaks, drought, and vulnerability of plant and animal species to population change.
Development of effective strategies for adaptation is imperative in order to minimize the negative impacts of climate change on western ecosystems.
Here we summarize adaptation strategies developed mainly from workshops with national forest managers and the U.S. Climate Change Science
Program Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4.
· Increase landscape diversity
· Implement treatments that minimize loss of structural and
functional groups
· Increase size of management units
· Increase connectivity
Below threshold N
Population rate of change
Adaptation strategy #1
Increase resilience at large spatial scales
Above threshold N
1
0
-1
Population density
Adaptation strategy #2
Maintain biological diversity
· Modify genetic guidelines
· Experiment with mixed species, mixed genotypes
· Assist colonization, establish neo-native species
· Identify species, populations, and communities that are
sensitive to increased disturbance
Adaptation strategy #5
Manage for realistic outcomes
· Identify key thresholds for species and functions
· Determine which thresholds will be exceeded (e.g., Pacific
salmon)
· Prioritize projects with a high probability of success; abandon
hopeless causes
Adaptation strategy #6
Incorporate climate change in restoration
· Reduce emphasis on historical references
· Reduce emphasis on guidelines based on static relationships
(e.g., plant associations, habitat types)
· Set realistic goals for restoration
Adaptation strategy #3
Plan for post-disturbance management
Adaptation strategy #7
Develop climate-smart regulations and
policies
· Treat fire and other ecological disturbances as normal
occurrences
· Incorporate fire management options directly in general
planning process
· Address regulatory/policy barriers (e.g., Endangered Spp. Act)
· Address process barriers (e.g., NEPA)
· Work with legislators and policy makers to revise regulations
and policy
Adaptation strategy #4
Implement early detection/rapid response
Adaptation strategy #8
Anticipate big surprises
· Eliminate or control exotic species
· Monitor post-disturbance conditions and reduce fireenhancing species (e.g., cheatgrass)
· Expect mega droughts, larger fires, system collapses, species
extirpations, etc.
· Incorporate these phenomena in planning
Fire and Environmental Research Applications Team
Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory
400 N. 34th St., Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98103
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fera/