Forests in a changing climate: A framework for management – OSU Extension Service

Report on Managing Oregon’s Forests Amid Climate Change with Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Climate change poses significant challenges to Oregon’s forests, with anticipated rising temperatures and uncertain precipitation patterns. The expected warmer temperatures are projected to reduce snowpack, decrease summer streamflow, and increase water loss from trees and other vegetation. These environmental changes align with the objectives of SDG 13: Climate Action, emphasizing the need for urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts.

Across the Western United States, climate change is resulting in more frequent, larger, and more severe droughts and wildfires. These disturbances affect forest growth, development, and resilience. The unpredictability of the speed and extent of climate change complicates long-term forest management, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices consistent with SDG 15: Life on Land, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

This report series addresses forest management strategies in the context of a changing climate, focusing on the timing of changes and adaptive management approaches. The initial framework introduces two primary strategies:

1. Mitigation and Adaptation
2. Resist-Accept-Direct

Strategies for Forest Management in a Changing Climate

1. Mitigation and Adaptation

• Mitigation: Actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the extent of climate change, supporting SDG 13.
• Adaptation: Adjusting forest management practices to cope with the changing climate conditions, ensuring ecosystem resilience and sustainable use, in line with SDG 15.

2. Resist-Accept-Direct Framework

• Resist: Efforts to maintain current forest conditions despite climate pressures.
• Accept: Allowing natural changes to occur without intervention when resistance is impractical.
• Direct: Guiding forest changes toward desired outcomes through proactive management.

Conclusion

Effective forest management under climate change requires integrating mitigation and adaptation strategies while applying the resist-accept-direct framework. These approaches contribute directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting climate resilience, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable land use. Continued research and adaptive planning are essential to support forest landowners and stakeholders in navigating the uncertainties posed by climate change.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article discusses climate change impacts on Oregon’s forests, including rising temperatures, droughts, and wildfires, directly relating to climate action.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The focus on forest growth, development, and response to disturbances connects to sustainable management and conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Mention of decreased summer streamflow and water loss from trees relates to water availability and management.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

• SDG 13 – Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 13 – Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15 – Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
• SDG 15 – Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by drought and floods.
• SDG 6 – Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Frequency and severity of droughts and wildfires: Implied as indicators to assess climate impact on forests and resilience (related to SDG 13.1).
• Changes in snowpack and summer streamflow: Indicators of water availability and ecosystem health (related to SDG 6.4 and SDG 15.1).
• Forest growth and response to disturbances: Implied indicators for monitoring forest ecosystem sustainability and adaptation (related to SDG 15.1 and 15.3).
• Implementation of forest management strategies: Such as mitigation, adaptation, resist-accept-direct approaches, indicating integration of climate measures into planning (related to SDG 13.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: extension.oregonstate.edu