Vegetation disturbance regimes and climate change in the NWFP area

Climate change is expected to alter forested ecosystems in the Northwest Forest Plan Area. Increases in temperature across the region during the 20^th century have generally exceeded global averages. Climate change models project a warmer and potentially wetter future with more precipitation falling as rain in the winter and drier summers across most of the region. Projected increases in soil water deficit are expected to decrease growth and increase disturbance frequency (e.g. fire, insects, pathogens). Understanding how climate change projections and potential effects vary within the region will be essential in developing strategies for adaptation and mitigation.