Journal article
Forest restoration limits megafires and supports species conservation under climate change
Frontiers in ecology and the environment, Vol.20(4), pp.210-216
05/01/2022
DOI: 10.1002/fee.2450
Abstract
Climate change and fire suppression have altered disturbance regimes in forest ecosystems globally. In the seasonally dry forests of western North America, large-scale restoration may reduce severe fire and increase forest resilience but also eliminate existing habitat for sensitive wildlife species. We modeled bioregional-scale effects of forest restoration on future severe fire activity and occupancy dynamics of an old-forest species declining in abundance, the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Our findings suggest restoring historical forest structure may mitigate severe fire activity as the climate warms, particularly when restoration occurs in owl habitat. On average, benefits provided by restoration to owls (reduced severe fire) were found to exceed potential costs (direct habitat alteration) by mid-century. However, the magnitude and direction of restoration trade-offs varied spatially, which informs restoration planning. When large, old trees are maintained, forest restoration can provide co-benefits to old-forest species and forest ecosystem resilience under climate change.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Forest restoration limits megafires and supports species conservation under climate change
- Creators
- Gavin M. Jones - University of Wisconsin–MadisonAlisa R. Keyser - University of California, MercedA. Leroy Westerling - University of California, MercedW. Jonathan Baldwin - University of California, MercedJohn J. Keane - Pacific Southwest Research StationSarah C. Sawyer - Pacific Southwest Research StationJohn D. J. Clare - University of Wisconsin–MadisonR. J. Gutierrez - University of Wisconsin–MadisonM. Zachariah Peery - University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in ecology and the environment, Vol.20(4), pp.210-216
- DOI
- 10.1002/fee.2450
- ISSN
- 1540-9295
- eISSN
- 1540-9309
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- ACI--1429783 / US National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF) California Energy Commission US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Region 5, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station NNX16A061H / National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Fish & Wildlife Service
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2022
- Academic Unit
- School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
- Record Identifier
- 9985219853502771
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