Forest management plans for mitigating projected future climate change in the Missouri Ozark Highlands

Background/Question/Methods

It is critical to understand the effects of future climate projections on forest landscapes.  This knowledge will allow managers to adjust management practices to sustain forest systems.  We utilized the forest landscape model LANDIS PRO to investigate forest landscape response under various climate models and scenarios (current conditions, PCM-B1, Gfdl-A1fi, Hadley-A1fi) within the Missouri Ozark Highlands, the westernmost part of the Central Hardwood Forest.  The climate scenarios investigated were meant to examine the potential projections (low to high change in temperature and precipitation). Within the study area, 10 ecological subsections (with 5 land form associations) were analyzed.    Forest management regimes simulated within LANDIS PRO were meant to bracket the range of management applied within Missouri, including those currently in use on public and private land. 

Results/Conclusions

Preliminary results suggest 10% evenage management allows for transition of stands to species best suited for a change in climate (response management). Results also showed that 10% unevenage management produces stands of highest carbon retention (carbon sequestration management) as well as stands more resilient to effects of climate change (resilience management).