Item 4.l. Climate change impacts on EU forests - potential adaptation measures

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AGRI-2007-G4-06Report to the European Commission Directorate-Generalfor Agriculture and Rural Development

Marcus Lindner et al.

ToS EFSOS inaugural, 4-5 February 2009, UN-ECE/FAO, Geneva

Objectives of the study

Synthesise the existing knowledge about observed and projected impacts of climate change on forests in Europe

Review the capacity of forests and forestry to adapt to climate change (adaptive capacity)

Analyse vulnerability of forests and forestry to climate change in different European regions

Review potential adaptation strategies and to survey existing and planned measures in EU member states

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Survey compiling existing and planned national strategies for adapting to climate change

Conclusions and recommendations for potential adaptation options for forests and forestry in the EU27

PART 2

Evaluation of adaptation measures regarding:

•Feasibility•Reliability•Cost effectiveness

Contrasting results

Review of potential adaptation options for each of the region

Study on impacts of climate change on European forests and options for adaptationService Contract with DG Agriculture (Dec 07 – Nov 08)

Adaptation strategies

should aim to increase the flexibility in management of vulnerable ecosystems

enhance the inherent adaptability of the species and ecosystem processes

reduce trends in environmental and social pressures that increase vulnerability to climate variability

(Hulme, P.E. 2005, J. Appl. Ecology 42, 784-794)

Reducing vulnerability involves both a reduction to the exposure to climate stress and an increase in adaptive capacity

(J.-E. Parry et al. 2005)

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Adaptation strategies at different levels

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Stand level • forest regeneration • tending and thinning of stands• harvesting

Forest management • management planning• forest protection

Policy level• infrastructure and transport• nurseries and forest tree breeding• further adaptation options in

risk management and policy

Level of action Adaptation actions

Adaptation measures – Stand level

In regeneration species and genetic composition of the stand gets established, diversity builds up and can be manipulated

Tending and thinning improves stand structure to reduce stand susceptibility to disturbances

Harvesting activites should take place at smaller scales; development of machinery is important to secure accessibility on wet soils

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Photo University of Tuscia

Photo North Karelia College, Valtimo

Adaptation measures – Forest management level

Forest management planning should be flexible and adaptive; high need for monitoring, co-operation, decision support systems

Forest protection benefits from establishing and sustaining forest ecosystems highly diverse in tree composition, age and structure

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Adaptation measures – Policy levelInfrastructure and transporting; restoring groundwater regimes, improving irrigation systems and road network

Nurseries and tree breeding should produce well-adapted material for regeneration

Development and evaluation of adaptation strategies should be a participative process

More research is needed to expand the knowledge base related to adaptive forest management strategies

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Quercus ilex, photo T. La Mantia

The adaptive capacity in the forest sector

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Relatively large

Relatively largeMore stronglyaffected by socio-economicconstraints

LimitedLarge forest areas are onlyextensively managed or unmanaged

Discussion points from adaptation measure survey

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Many ongoing and planned measures are focusing on reducing disturbance risks

Very little attention on potential benefits

More research is needed

Dissemination of information is important (Foresters, forest owners, decision makers)

Main motives of adaptation measures

1. Minimize impacts of disturbances

2. Ensure wood production

3. Ensure ecosystem services

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Conclusions

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Climate change poses great risks, but also some opportunities

Rural areas will be strongly affected

Suitable adaptation measures differ between regions

Adaptive capacity is much higher in the Boreal and Temperate Oceanic regions

The Mediterranean and Temperate Continental regions are most vulnerable and require specific support

Study outputs

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Report

Factsheets

Technical Annexes

Thank you for your attention!

Contact: Marcus.Lindner@efi.int

Authors: EFI: Marcus Lindner, Jordi Garcia-Gonzalo, Marja Kolström,

Tim Green, Ricardo Reguera

BOKU: Michael Maroschek, Rupert Seidl, Manfred J. LexerBOKU: Sigrid Netherer, Axel Schopf

INRA: Antoine Kremer, Sylvain Delzon

IAFS: Anna Barbati, Marco Marchetti, Piermaria Corona

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