Project Title

Climate Adaptive Management for Forest Ecosystem Services: An Assessment of Future Forests

Project Description

Forestry is a major contributor to the economy of North Carolina and other states across the southeastern United States. Over 90% of the region’s forestland is privately owned and is managed for a portfolio of objectives, from timber production to wildlife habitat and biodiversity conservation. Forests also provide critical ecosystem services, including supporting the clean, stable supply of water resources and sequestering and storing carbon. However, the continued delivery of forest ecosystem services is challenged by changing climate and the resulting disturbances including more intense storm events. This project will estimate whether researchers can counteract the effects of climate change through forest management, specifically the location, scale and timing of actions.

Principal Investigators

Robert Scheller (Director)
Katherine Martin
Zakiya Leggett
Jelena Vukomanovic

Collaborators

This project actively leverages an existing network of ongoing partnership with various stakeholders to seek guidance and input to determine management activities that are most appropriate for the major ecosystems of the southeastern U.S., including management by forest type and ownership. This project also facilitates virtual workshops and solicits feedback to maximize input. As results become available, the principal investigators will work with stakeholders to ensure the results reach practitioners and inform ongoing landscape management. Current stakeholders include the U.S. Department of Defense, The Nature Conservancy, The Working Lands Trust, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, United States Geological Survey, Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier and more.

Expected Outcomes

• Outreach and engagement with stakeholders through webinars, regional conferences and a partnership with NC State Extension. 
• Publication in suitable scientific outlets.
• Training for two graduate students whose expertise will include modeling forest management scenario outcomes, a skillset critical to the future generation of forestry scientists.

About McIntire-Stennis

The McIntire-Stennis program, a unique federal-state partnership, cultivates and delivers forestry and natural resource innovations for a better future. By advancing research and education that increases the understanding of emerging challenges and fosters the development of relevant solutions, the McIntire-Stennis program has ensured healthy resilient forests and communities and an exceptional natural resources workforce since 1962.