Approach
Climate change will alter competitive dynamics among species and is likely to result in changes in species composition and mortality patterns. Reducing competition for resources can enhance the persistence of desired species and increase the ability of ecosystems to cope with the direct and indirect effects of climate change.
Tactics
- Urban natural areas: Managing buffer areas adjoining natural sites to limit potential impacts from invasive species that could have an adverse competitive impact on existing species.
- Urban natural areas: Selecting species that will be strong competitors on restored or reclaimed sites.
- Developed urban sites: Removing mowed turf from the rooting zone of trees and replacing it with organic mulch or other more appropriate plants
- Developed urban sites: Removing nonnative invasive species to reduce competition, and to improve native species diversity.
Strategy
Strategy Text
The changing climate may alter the complex interactions among climate, vegetation, and landforms, resulting in changes in hydrology, soil quality, and nutrient cycling. Urban areas often involve further complications because of the greater likelihood that human activities have already significantly altered ecosystem functioning and will continue to do so. Urban conditions are often characterized by difficult growing conditions, including impermeable surfaces, air and water pollution, frequent human interaction, and small soil volumes. Existing guidelines and best management practices for forest management describe actions
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,