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functions and services for human societies. Temperatures are increasing most rapidly in high northern latitudes, altering tree growth and competition dynamics, and modifying disturbance regimes. The effect of these cumulative changes on the ecosystem functions provided by boreal forests is difficult to predict. We used the process-based LANDIS-II forest landscape model to evaluate how climate change and timber harvesting will interact to alter the production of ecosystem functions and services in boreal forests on three study areas across a large latitudinal gradient (11°) in central Siberia. We found that the relative importance of wood harvesting as a disturbance type varied depending on latitude and its impact was always far less than that of fire. Moderate climate change increased the availability of wood for harvest in the northern landscape, but wood availability declined in the southern landscapes under any amount of climate change likely because of an increase in the frequency of fire that kept forests too young for harvest. Modest climate change (RCP6.0) increased productivity and the storage of carbon in all landscapes but severe climate change (RCP8.5) reduced both in the southernmost landscape. Harvesting as a specific driver of change in these boreal forests is likely to be relatively minor except as a forest fragmentation process. Our results provide compelling evidence that status quo forest management in these landscapes is likely not sustainable, suggesting that climate-smart forestry will be needed.
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This content will become publicly available on June 17, 2026
Forest type, landowner practices, and climate shape tree species diversity in Maine, USA
Understanding the interaction between land ownership, climate conditions, and harvesting strategies is essential for promoting long-term tree species diversity and ensuring sustainable forest ecosystems. This study uses forest inventory, climate, soil and socio-economic data to examine how land ownership types, climate gradients, and soil characteristics influence tree species diversity in Maine, USA. Our results suggest that southern Maine, characterized by milder climate conditions, supports greater tree species diversity compared to colder, boreal-dominated northern regions. Family forest owners, predominantly situated in southern Maine, consistently exhibited the highest diversity, reflecting less intensive management practices. Conversely, industrial and institutional forests concentrated in northern Maine demonstrated lower species diversity, likely driven by uniform, economically driven management practices. Incorporating soil attributes significantly improved the explanatory power of our diversity models. Harvesting activities showed varied impacts on biodiversity. Harvesting effects varied among ownership types: while overall biodiversity changes were minor post-harvest, industrial forests in northern Maine experienced a sustained 7 % decline in species diversity approximately ten years after harvesting, suggesting the need for continued long-term monitoring. Consequently, it is essential to develop management strategies at both the stand- and landscape-levels that effectively balance economic objectives while mitigating long-term biodiversity losses.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2205705
- PAR ID:
- 10653318
- Editor(s):
- Fernández, ME
- Publisher / Repository:
- Elsevier
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Forest Ecology and Management
- Volume:
- 593
- Issue:
- C
- ISSN:
- 0378-1127
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 122919
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Climate Diversity FIA Forest Harvesting Landowner
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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