Climate Change
Climatic changes and severe weather conditions can be responsible for forest devastation and are major driving forces behind wildfire, insect, and disease outbreaks. Hurricanes, floods, drought, wind storms--all impact ecosystem conditions.
Scientists are currently searching for ways to better understand the environmental impact of various weather systems. Questions to be answered include: How will climate changes influence the structure, function, and productivity of forests? How will forests respond to atmospheric changes? What are the implications for forest management to sustain forest productivity, health, and diversity in the face of severe weather patterns?
Current projects related to climate change
Other resources and publications:
US Forest Service Climate Change website
USDA Global Change Program Office
Southern Global Change Program
Northern Global Change Research Program
US Forest Service Climate Change Resource Center
Encyclopedia of Environmental Threats
What do forests have to do with global climate change?
Climate Change and Events research
Northern Institute of Applied Carbon Science
Ecosystem Services - Carbon Sequestration
National Agroforestry Center - Working Trees for Carbon Cycle Balance