Research Branch Staff Publications

Adaptation to climate change in forestry management: challenges and responses.

Citation:

Spittlehouse, D.L. 2005. Adaptation to climate change in forestry management: challenges and responses. Proceeding of Implications of Climate Change in British Columbia’s Southern Interior Forests, April 26–27, 2005, Revelstoke, BC, J. Morris (ed.), Columbia Mountain Institute, Revelstoke, BC, pp. 93-99.

Abstract:

Future climate change will bring changes in the range of occurrence of species, in forest disturbance and in forest growth. These changes in turn will affect society's ability to use forest resources. We already take account of climate in forest management and utilize many of the activities that will be required to respond to the effects of climate change on forests. However, many forest ecosystems and species will have to adapt autonomously because management can only influence the timing and direction of forest adaptation at selected locations. In general, society will have to adjust to however forests adapt. There are numerous challenges that will need to be address in developing and applying adaptive action. These include revising expectations of forest use, determining research and educational needs, development of forest policies to facilitate adaptation, and determining when to implement responses. It is important to start now assessing forest vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies.

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