news articles

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 The article discusses the efforts to restore California's redwood forests, which have been severely impacted by historical logging and are now facing threats from climate change and wildfires. The Redwoods Rising project, a collaboration between Redwood National and State Parks and the Save the Redwoods League, employs logging and prescribed fires to encourage the growth of robust, old-growth-like redwood forests. This approach aims to enhance forest resilience against a hotter, drier climate, leveraging the redwoods' significant carbon storage capacity. The article highlights the ecological and historical significance of these forests, the challenges posed by changing environmental conditions, and ongoing conservation efforts to preserve and restore the health and vitality of these iconic ecosystems.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/science/redwood-trees-logging-california.html

 
The concept of "assisted migration" is gaining traction in the Pacific Northwest as a strategy to help tree species cope with climate change. This approach involves human intervention to relocate trees to ecosystems where they are more likely to thrive under changing climatic conditions. The U.S. Forest Service and citizen groups are exploring different methods of assisted migration, with a focus on maintaining ecological balance and minimizing risks. While some advocate for moving native species within their existing range (assisted population migration), others propose introducing species like coast redwoods and giant sequoias from southern regions to the Pacific Northwest (assisted species migration). However, concerns arise about the potential ecological disruptions and the long-term viability of introducing non-native species into new environments. The debate underscores the complexity of managing forest ecosystems in the face of climate change, highlighting the need for careful, research-backed approaches to forest conservation and management. 

 ‘Assisted migration’ moves tree species to avoid climate changes: Can it save the forests of the Pacific NW? - oregonlive.com 

 "Assisted migration" is being adopted in the Pacific Northwest to address the decline of native trees due to climate change. This strategy involves relocating tree species to new areas where they are more likely to thrive in the changing climate. The U.S. Forest Service and citizen groups are exploring different forms of assisted migration, focusing on minimizing ecological risks. The debate centers on whether to aid native trees by moving them within their existing range or introducing species from other areas, like coast redwoods and giant sequoias. Concerns exist about the ecological impacts, such as disrupting local food webs and ecosystem functions. Despite the risks, the need for action in response to climate change is driving the exploration of assisted migration as a conservation strategy.

As tree species face decline, ‘assisted migration’ gains popularity in Pacific Northwest - OPB 

In the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Vermont, efforts are underway to test "assisted migration" as a strategy to preserve landscapes amid climate change. Forestry technician Grace Smith and her team are planting a variety of tree species, including red spruce from West Virginia, to increase forest resilience. Assisted migration involves relocating tree populations from warmer areas to northern latitudes expected to become hotter and drier due to climate change. This strategy, while promising, raises concerns about potential unintended consequences, such as disease spread and ecosystem disruption. The National Park Service has published a guide for staff considering assisted migration, acknowledging the uncertainties and challenges of this approach. The ongoing experiments aim to inform future management decisions and address the rapid pace of climate change that outstrips the natural migration ability of tree species.

How climate change is being fought by assisted migration and foresters : NPR