Approach
Changes in climate will probably lead to increases in large-scale disturbances such as floods and wind storms. These disturbances can lead to catastrophic losses of trees and other vegetation in some areas. Quickly reestablishing vegetation on disturbed sites will be necessary to maintain the climate mitigation services associated with urban forests and could help reduce the impacts of invasive species. In highly developed areas, replanting may be the only way to ensure the presence of species that provide the desired ecosystem services such as shade, aesthetics, or stormwater control. In natural areas, where a native seedbank may remain, replanting or managing natural regeneration may be beneficial to ensure the area has a species composition and structure that are aligned with management goals.
Tactics
- Urban natural areas: Managing for natural regeneration of native species after disturbance through such practices as protecting seedlings and saplings from herbivory.
- Urban natural areas: If possible, using the disturbance as an opportunity to eradicate or reduce the impact of invasive species.
- Urban natural areas: Prioritizing planting of trees into recently disturbed areas.
- Urban natural areas: Allowing nonnative species to remain as part of a novel mix of species, rather than eradicating these species.
- Developed urban sites: Planting new trees, with a priority on increasing diversity.
- Developed urban sites: Spacing out planting over several years to create a diverse age and size class structure in the urban canopy.
Strategy
Strategy Text
Urban areas, in particular, may face dramatic impacts as a result of climate change-related alterations in disturbances, including pest outbreaks, floods, and storm events. As with natural ecosystems, some of the best opportunities for addressing disturbance-related impacts may occur immediately after the disturbance event; having a suite of preplanned options in place may facilitate an earlier and more flexible response. Urban areas faced with disasters are provided the opportunity to rebuild, and can use this opportunity to create an urban landscape that is better aligned with current and future climate conditions.
Swanston, C.W.; Janowiak, M.K.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler, P.R.; Handler, S.D.; Shannon, P.D.; Derby Lewis, A.; Hall, K.; Fahey, R.T.; Scott, L.; Kerber, A.; Miesbauer, J.W.; Darling, L.; 2016. Forest Adaptation Resources: climate change tools and approaches for land managers, 2nd ed. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 161 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-87-2,