Synthesizing Information on the Ecological Effects of Climate Change

Project Abstract:
Forests are dynamic and resilient ecosystems, responding to natural and anthropogenic changes based on biophysical and autecological characteristics. Light, water, nutrient, genetic variation, species characteristics, and seed production and dispersal all interact together under the influence of the various biotic and abiotic disturbance agents we see at play on the landscape. Climate change is expected to affect many of these disturbance agents as well as affect the dynamics of the forest as well in terms of species distribution and productivity. Teams of forestry professionals have identified the need to have access to the latest science and innovations relating the effects of climate change on these dynamic processes and how these changes will influence their current forest management objectives and activities especially at the landscape level (Snetsinger 2006 – Future Forest Ecosystems Initiative, Forest Science Program Strategic Plan 2004 08, Morford et al. 2006, Swift and Scherer 2006, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This project responds to that identified need. Through the use of a variety of preferred delivery methods that synthesizes the latest information and make it readily available, forest management professionals will have increased awareness of the latest scientific, experiential and indigenous information and innovations related to such topics as natural disturbance regimes, ecosystem recovery, and forest vulnerability and resilience to climate change.

In this project, the forest management extension team will work with FIA Forest Science Program research proponents as well as researchers involved with the provincial climate change initiative to utilize existing and innovative media to expand the reach of their research innovations through the Provincial Forestry Extension Program and Partner publication products and periodicals most preferred by the primary target audiences. Using such products as short, peer reviewed BC Journal of Ecosystem and Management Extension Notes and submission to Partner publications that focus on providing short succinct, key messages, the extension team will concentrate on providing useful, local solutions to short term management challenges associated with our changing forests. The extension team will also work to highlight specific Forest Science Program research projects that link directly to high priority climate change questions identified by the FIA FSP Forest and Value and the Sustainability Program Advisory Committees within the new Forest Science Corner section of LINK. Recognizing the importance of addressing questions such as “what do we already know” about managing our ecosystems, the extension team will develop a number of synthesis reports building on existing research associated with forest vulnerability and resiliency, ecosystem recovery and forest carbon storage. The team will also work collaboratively with national vegetation management experts to summarize and synthesize twenty years of data associated with vegetation management alternatives and their environmental implications related to boreal and sub boreal ecosystems in British Columbia and nationally. These synthesis reports will be the building block for future extension participatory projects related to climate change.

For further information on this project, please contact Kathie.Swift@forrex.org.