Restore disturbed sites with a diversity of species that are adapted to future conditions

Many native species are expected to be well adapted to the future range of climatic and site conditions. Using management actions that favor such native species in community or forest types can facilitate a shift towards a composition that supports increased forest productivity and enhanced sequestration capacity. Novel mixes of native species that may not have historically occurred in forest or community types may allow for maintaining or enhancing productivity and carbon sequestration as climatic and site conditions change into the future. Unique combinations of native species may lead to altered competitive relationships and result in the conversion to newly defined community types.

Ecosystems may face significant impacts as a result of climate-related alterations in disturbances, including fire, invasive species, and severe weather events. Although disturbances are primary drivers of many ecosystems, changes in disturbance frequency, severity, extent, or duration may have important implications for the carbon balance of many forest ecosystems. Although many disturbances are not possible to predict, land managers can increase the preparedness of ecosystems for large and severe disturbance and prioritize rapid response to mitigate impacts on carbon. Adequate planning in advance of disturbance may facilitate earlier or more flexible response and prevent maladaptive responses that reduce or delay carbon recovery rates. This strategy involves consideration of various approaches that enhance the recovery of ecosystems, augmenting the ability of plant communities to initiate carbon sequestration quickly following disturbance.