Manage herbivory to promote regeneration of desired species

EASTERN: Climate change has the potential to exacerbate many forest stressors and alter regeneration patterns. Additionally, climate change will probably have direct and indirect effects on populations of forest herbivores such as moose (generally expected to decrease) and white-tailed deer (generally expected to increase). Because herbivores preferentially browse on particular species, it may be increasingly important to protect regeneration of desired species from deer, moose, and other herbivores. Much of the available information on forest herbivores focuses on white-tailed deer and moose, which are considered keystone species capable of dramatically altering forests across the Midwest and Northeast. Managing herbivory alone may not promote desired species. Thus, this approach may be combined with other approaches that release advance regeneration or stimulate new regeneration.

WESTERN: Climate change has the potential to exacerbate many forest stressors and alter regeneration patterns. Additionally, climate change will probably have direct and indirect effects on populations of native forest herbivores such as mule deer (generally expected to increase) and Roosevelt elk (future change uncertain). Herbivores preferentially browse or graze on particular species, making it increasingly important to protect regeneration of desired species (e.g., oak (Quercus) species) from deer and other herbivores, including domestic livestock (i.e., cattle, sheep). Much of the available information on forest herbivores in California focuses on mule deer, which may alter stand dynamics, especially in oak and mixed oak-conifer woodlands of California. Managing herbivory alone may not promote desired species. Thus, this approach may be combined with other approaches that release advance regeneration or stimulate new regeneration of desired species.

Biological stressors such as insects, pathogens, invasive species, and herbivores can act individually and in concert to amplify the effects of climate change on ecosystems. Forest managers already work to maintain the ability of forests to resist stressors. As an adaptation strategy, these efforts receive added effort and focus, with an emphasis on anticipating and preventing increased stress before it occurs. Climate change has the potential to add to or intensify the impact of many biological stressors, such as forest pests and invasive plant species, which heightens the importance of responding to these issues. Dealing with these existing stressors is a relatively high-benefit, low-risk strategy for climate change adaptation, in part because of the existing body of knowledge about their impacts and solutions.