scholarly journals Forest fire and climate change in western North America: insights from sediment charcoal records

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. Gavin ◽  
Douglas J. Hallett ◽  
Feng Sheng Hu ◽  
Kenneth P. Lertzman ◽  
Susan J. Prichard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North America ◽  
Forest Fire ◽  
Western North America

scholarly journals Historical Tree Species Height Growth Pattern Associated With Climate Change in Western North America

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yassine Messaoud ◽  
Anya Reid ◽  
Nadezhda M. Tchebakova ◽  
Annika Hofgaard ◽  
Faouzi Messsaoud
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North America ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Species Range ◽  
Western North America ◽  
Total Height ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract BackgroundThe climate variables effect on tree growth in boreal and temperate forests has received increased interest in the global context of climate change. However, most studies are geographically limited and involved few tree species. Here, sixteen tree species across western North America were used to investigate tree response to climate change at the species range scale. MethodsForest inventory data from 36,944 stands established between 1600 and 1968 throughout western Canada and USA were summarized. Height growth (total height at breast-height age of 50 years) of healthy dominant and co-dominant trees were related to annual and summer temperatures, annual and summer Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI, and tree establishment date (ED). Climate-induced height growth patterns were then tested to determine links to spatial environment (soil conditions and geographic locations), species range (coastal, interior, and both ranges) and species traits (shade tolerance and leaf form), using linear mixed model for the global height growth and general linear model to test the height growth patterns for each species. ResultsIncrease of temperatures and PDSI had a positive effect on height growth for most of the study species, whereas Alaska yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, (D. Don) Spach) height growth declined with ED. All explaining variables and the interactions explained 59% of the total height growth variance. Although tree height growth response was species-specific, increased height growth during the 20th century was more pronounced for coastal ranged species, high shade tolerant species, and broadleaf species. Furthermore, height growth increase occurred mostly on rich soil, at the northernmost species range, and, unexpectedly, at lower elevations. A decline in height growth for some species further north and especially higher in elevation possibly related to increased cloudiness and precipitation. However, drought conditions remain in interior areas despite moving northward and upward that decrease height growth. ConclusionThese results highlight the general trend (species characteristics and range) and the species-specific height patterns, indicating the spatio-temporal complexity of the growth response to recent global climate change.

scholarly journals Projected future suitable habitat and productivity of Douglas-fir in western North America

2012 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Weiskittel ◽  
Nicholas L. Crookston ◽  
Gerald E. Rehfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North America ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Western North America ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Commercially Important

Projected future suitable habitat and productivity of Douglas-fir in western North America Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) is one of the most common and commercially important species in western North America. The species can occupy a range of habitats, is long-lived (up to 500 years), and highly productive. However, the future of Douglas-fir in western North America is highly uncertain due to the expected changes in climate conditions. This analysis presents a summary of work that utilizes an extensive network of inventory plots to project potential future changes in Douglas-fir habitat and productivity. By 2090, the amount of potential Douglas-fir habitat is projected to change little in terms of area (−4%). However, the habitat is expected to shift from coastal areas of North America to the interior. Corresponding changes in productivity are also projected as coastal areas experience reductions, while interior areas experience modest increases in productivity. Overall, the analysis indicates a sensitivity of Douglas-fir to climate and suggests that significant changes in North America are to be expected under climate change.

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