Forestry

Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of forests to ecosystem change and tree mortality through fire, insect infestations, drought, and disease outbreaks. Western U.S. forests are particularly vulnerable to increased wildfire and insect outbreaks; eastern forests have smaller disturbances but could be more sensitive to periodic drought. U.S. forests currently absorb about 13% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by fossil fuel burning in the U.S. Climate change, combined with current societal trends regarding land use and forest management, is projected to reduce forest CO2 uptake. Bioenergy is an emerging new market for wood; with higher wood prices, development of a market in salvaged wood from trees killed by drought, insects, and fire could help finance salvage and restoration activities and reduce U.S. fossil fuel consumption. However, the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of bioenergy production vary greatly with region and intensity of human management. The changing nature of private forestland ownership, globalization of forestry markets, emerging markets for bioenergy, and U.S. climate change policy will all influence forest management responses to climate change. However, development of and better access to practical and timely information for managers to consider in choosing adaptation and mitigation options will facilitate management of public and private forestland.