Expand or buffer the boundaries of reserves to increase diversity

Reserve expansion can help buffer forest interior habitats from a variety of edge effects, such as changing temperature and moisture conditions and increased exposure to disturbances. Providing buffering from edge effects may be especially important in the harsh environment of the urban landscape. Buffer functions can include benefits such as reduced direct runoff exposure, reduced weed pressure (if weeds are managed in the buffer), and stabilization of banks next to flowing water. These benefits may become increasingly important as climate-related stresses increase on forest interior habitats. However, reserve expansion is often extremely difficult and costly in urban areas so buffering through management practices in urban habitats and creation of easements are likely to be necessary.

Urbanized landscapes will likely undergo especially intense alteration of environmental conditions with future climate change. Increasing the number, extent, and representation across land uses and ownerships of a variety of ecosystem types will help to make the persistence of these ecosystem types more likely. Collaboration among an especially wide variety of stakeholders will be necessary to promote this strategy in urbanized landscapes.