Climate Change in Region 5

Responding to the challenges presented by climate change is one of the most urgent tasks facing the Forest Service

“I believe history will judge the leaders of our age by how well we respond to climate change.” ~ Gail Kimbell, Forest Service Chief

The Forest Service strategy for dealing with climate change is based on 20 years of targeted research and a century of science and management experience. The Forest Service strategy includes helping forests adapt to changes in climate by restoring the resilience of forest, range and aquatic ecosystems; managing forests to increase the carbon dioxide they capture and store; using forest products to reduce and replace fossil fuel energy; maintaining a research program, and reducing the agency's environmental footprint.

“Climate change is the biggest conservation challenge facing the Forest Service in the 21st century and contributing to global efforts that help forests mitigate and adapt to climate change is a priority for the Forest Service in California.” ~ Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester

Many ecosystems are likely to be threatened in this century by an unprecedented combination of climate change, associated disturbances, and other global change drivers. Major disturbances such as floods and droughts are likely to increase in number and intensity. The ecological impacts of wildfires as well as forest pests and diseases are expected to rise, with extended periods of high fire risk and large increases in area burned.

The impacts of changes in climate threaten the capacity of national forests to provide the kinds of environmental services that people have come to expect, including clean air and water, habitat for fish and wildlife and opportunities for hunting, fishing, skiing, and other kinds of outdoor recreation.

The effects of climate change are evident in our forests today:

• Fires are a natural part of forested landscapes, but each year the fire season is coming earlier and ending later. In addition, the fires themselves are burning hotter and have become more damaging and dangerous.
• Insects are also a natural part of forested landscapes, but now the insects—both the native ones and the invaders—are spreading more rapidly. The winter cold isn't knocking some populations back. Epidemics are larger and last longer, killing more trees and increasing fire risk.
• The warmer winters are also affecting our water supplies. The snowpacks are thinner and they melt earlier in spring, so the water runs out from the forest earlier in summer. Extended droughts make trees more vulnerable to fire and insects.

Climate Change, Mitigation, and Adaptation Science

The Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) plays a leadership role in climate change and greenhouse gas science at national and international levels. Research of PSW scientists focuses on assessing climates, evaluating ecosystem responses, promoting approaches to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and developing adaptation strategies to manage natural resources in the face of changing climates.

• Pacific Southwest Research Station Climate Change, Mitigation, and Adaptation Science

Related Information

• Video Presentation: The Forest Service & Climate Change
• Forest Service National Climate Change
• Forest Service Climate Change Resource Center
• Pacific Northwest Research Station Climate Change Research
• Northern Research Station Climate Change Atlas
• Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center

So what are we doing to help forests and humans mitigate and adapt to climate change?

Sustainable Operations

The Forest Service recognizes the value of incorporating environmental stewardship into its daily business operations and Region 5 and the Pacific Southwest Research Station are reducing resource consumption through more sustainable business practices.

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Forest Service Engagement with California Climate Actions

California has established itself as a national leader in meeting the challenges of climate change and in determining the potential roles of forests in reducing greenhouse gases. Region 5 and the Pacific Southwest Research Station are working with the state and various stakeholders in this process to implement the California's Global Warming Solutions Act, known as Assembly Bill 32 (AB32), which requires statewide greenhouse gas reductions to 1990 levels by 2020.

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Planting Trees to Restore Forest Health

Planting trees in areas affected by wildfires or other natural disturbances is critical to restoring and improving the health of our national forests, and helps reduce climate change impacts.

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Region 5 and PSW Climate Implication Issue Group

The Climate Implication Issue Group was established by the Pacific Southwest Regional Forester to identify the natural resource management issues that may arise as a result of changes in our climate and how the issues affect our land management decisions.

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Counting Carbon on the Mendocino National Forest

The Mendocino National Forest (MNF) has partnered with the Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) and Winrock International on a unique research project to determine the carbon benefits associated with hazardous fuels thinnings, including how to measure the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by wildfires.

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Climate Change Partnership on the Sequoia National Forest

The Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument has partnered with other federal agencies in the development of a shared vision for the future of the Southern Sierra Nevada with a focus on mitigating impacts from climate change.

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Monitoring Forest Carbon on the Tahoe National Forest

The Tahoe National Forest and The Nature Conservancy have partnered with a team of public and private organization on a research project that monitors forest carbon and impacts of climate change using forest inventories and emerging remote sensing technologies.

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