Forest management under a changing climate
Climate change is ongoing. With the global warming trend (current global temperatures are already more than 1 degree above the pre-industrial levels), it is particularly worrying that extreme events are amplified, resulting in extended periods of hot spells and drought [1]. Forest management will have to adapt to a changing and highly variable climate. Adaptation is, in essence, about making good decisions for the future, considering the implications of climate change. It involves recognising and understanding potential future climate impacts and planning and managing for their consequences whilst also considering the broader social, economic or other environmental changes that may impact us, individually or collectively [2]. The response of forest ecosystems to climate change, their regional variation, and the sensitivity of the climate system to the fundamental anthropogenic forces, i.e. emission pathways, are uncertain [4]. ‘Climate smart’ forest management frameworks can provide an improved basis for managing forested landscapes and maintaining ecosystem health and vitality based on an understanding of landscape vulnerability to future climatic change [3].
Climate change is a dynamic and complex phenomenon we need to
- monitor its physical state, i.e., most indicative properties, to recognise the actual climate development,
- consider the impacts of this development on biological systems and
- integrate knowledge and beliefs of decision-makers into dynamic models of decision-making processes [4].
Emphasising prevention efforts provides an opportunity to move towards effective climate change adaptation. Supporting the prevention measures may simultaneously contribute to other policy objectives, such as promoting local livelihoods and economies [1].
We must also strengthen the relationship between climate science, forest research, forest managers and the community. Actively managing our forest ecosystems effectively and intelligently, using the best available knowledge and foresight capacity, can make those goals a reality [2].
Forest stability, vitality and resilience can be enhanced through silvicultural practices, making the best use of natural structures and processes, more diverse tree species composition, higher genetic, age and structural diversity - horizontally and vertically, increased individual tree stability, tree species and provenance Increased capacities of the whole forest reproductive material supply chain (seed collection, storage, transport, nurseries) are vital for sustainable forest management and coping with large-scale disturbances. Particular attention should be given to the ability of the tree nursery sector to provide sufficient quantities of suitable forest reproductive materials necessary for forest adaptation and restoration [1]. The future adaptation of forests will heavily depend on the improved availability of appropriate forest genetic resources.
Austria adopted its cross-sectoral (forestry, rural development and energy) strategy in 2016, subsequently complemented with the action plan. Though forest owners have the freedom to choose appropriate measures, at the same time, they are, according to national legislation, responsible for the health of their forests. The adaptation is partially supported financially and institutionally, e.g. through cooperation between researchers and practitioners. Both approaches, close-to-nature and management intensification (shorter rotations, intensified protection against bark beetle, lowering the forest stand density to reduce the water demand), are employed. As the productivity of traditionally used tree species and provenances is compromised, the use of new tree species (including exotic ones) and provenances is supported. Pros and cons of particular native and non-native tree species are being discussed among stakeholders.
The Czech Republic adopted its cross-sectoral (coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment) adaptation strategy for 2015-2020, with an outlook to 2030. The strategy is complemented with an action plan. Adaptation of forests to climate change is not explicitly enforced by legislation. However, it is one of the critical actions of the National Forest Programme II, in which legislation measures are proposed. Supporting financial mechanisms include incentives and tax reliefs. The measures are also covered institutionally and informationally. Both approaches, close-to-nature (e.g. promotion of continuous-cover forestry, natural regeneration, site-native tree species) and intensification (game management, forest protection) of management, are applied. Special attention is paid to the water regime and improvement of water retention in forest stands.
Germany adopted a cross-sectoral (environment and agriculture) climate change adaptation strategy 2008. Later, it was further developed within the Forest Strategy 2010 and specific strategies for the German federal states. The action plan for the strategy was adopted in 2011. Some activities, such as forest monitoring and research, improvement of forest resilience through native tree species (use of non-native species is discussed), appropriate provenances, and deer population control, are directly enforced by legislation. The measures are supported institutionally and financially, with sufficient informational means. Germany prefers measures based on close-to-nature forestry rather than radical changes in management systems and abandonment of native tree species. Conversion of even-aged forest stands with poor resilience to more resilient stands of native tree species is one of the applied measures. The measure is not legally binding, but its implementation is monitored through measurable targets. Assisted migration at the level of provenance is also considered, but there are still some legal barriers.
Slovenia adopted the cross-sectoral (coordinated by the agriculture and forestry sector) strategy 2008. The programming period is not specified. To enforce the implementation, there was an action plan for this strategy for 2010-11. The Slovenian approach is, however, traditionally influenced by the forestry legislation, promoting almost exclusively close-to-nature practises, comprising continuous canopy cover, mimicking natural dynamics, natural regeneration, tree species genetic diversity and support to ecological functions. Financial support is in the form of free planting stock for areas affected by disturbances with changed or limited natural regeneration and free forestry service, including intensive protection of forests against pests and the control of invasive species, promotion of forest operations, monitoring, education, research and capacity building through strengthening the cooperation with forest owners.
Citations:
[1] FOREST EUROPE 2020. Adaptation to Climate Change in Sustainable Forest Management in Europe, Liaison Unit Bratislava, Zvolen, 2020
[2] https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0446-5
[3] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2008.04.026
[4] https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09614-220440