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

McIntire Stennis - Climate Adaptive Management for Forest Ecosystem Services: An Assessment of Future Forests - College of Natural Resources at NC State

About

Forestry is a major contributor to the economy of North Carolina and other states across the Southeast. 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. In this project, researchers at the College of Natural Resources are estimating whether they can counteract the effects of climate change through forest management, specifically the location, scale and timing of actions.

PIs

Robert Scheller (Director)
Katherine Martin
Zakiya Leggett
Jelena Vukomanovic

Collaboration

Researchers actively leverage an existing network of ongoing partnership with various stakeholders, including the 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. Researchers seek guidance and input from these stakeholders to determine management activities that are most appropriate for the major ecosystems of the Southeast, including management by forest type (e.g., oak vs. pine) and ownership. They also facilitate virtual workshops and solicit feedback to maximize their input. As results become available, researchers will work with these same stakeholders to ensure the results reach practitioners and inform ongoing landscape management.

Impact

  • 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.

A McIntire-Stennis supported project

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.