Approach
Even modest changes in climate may cause substantial increases in the distribution and abundance of many insect pests and pathogens, potentially leading to reduced forest productivity or increased tree stress and mortality (Ayres and Lombardero 2000; Dukes et al. 2009; Ramsfield et al. 2016). Impacts may be exacerbated where site conditions, climate, and other stressors, interact to increase the vulnerability of forests to these agents (Spittlehouse and Stewart 2003). Actions to manipulate the density, structure, or species composition of a forest may reduce susceptibility to some pests and pathogens (Spies et al. 2010).
Tactics
- Thinning to reduce the density of a pest’s host species to discourage infestation
- based on knowledge that certain tree species are especially susceptible to pests and pathogens at particular stocking levels
- Using pesticides or biological control methods to manage pest populations (such as gypsy moth
- hemlock woolly adelgid
- Asian longhorned beetle) in heavily infested areas.
- Adjusting rotation length to decrease the period of time that a stand is vulnerable to insect pests and pathogens
- based on the knowledge that species are especially susceptible to pests and pathogens at particular ages.
- Using impact models and monitoring data to anticipate the arrival of pests and pathogens and prioritize management actions.
- Using pesticides or biological control methods to manage pest populations (such as gypsy moth
- Asian longhorned beetle
- or hemlock woolly adelgid) in heavily infested areas.
- Restricting harvest and transportation of logs near stands already heavily infested with known pests or pathogens.
Strategy Text
This strategy addresses the benefits of healthy forest cover in the production of water resources. It is well established that forested watersheds provide multiple benefits and ecosystem services such as timber, carbon storage, wildlife habitat, food, and cultural services. Changes to forest structure and composition, can alter underlying hydrologic processes within a watershed affecting the capture, storage and filtration of water, and the regulation of streamflow (NRC 2008; Osterkamp and Hupp 2010). Managing forests to reduce stressors, increase structural and species diversity, and protect unique habitats, may enhance forest ecosystem resilience to increasing climate variability, extreme events, and other disturbances.
Citation
Shannon, P.D.; Swanston, C.W.; Janowiak, M.K.; Handler, S.D.; Schmitt, K.M.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler-Leopold, P.R.; Ontl, T.A. (in review). Adaptation Strategies and Approaches for Forested Watersheds. Ecological Applications.,