About this Research Topic
Forest Assisted Migration (FAM) seeks to sustain ecosystem function in managed forests by introducing tree species or genotypes better adapted to changing climates. Operational FAM requires trials in managed forests and research (e.g., modeling, experiments, and examining the economic, social, and ecological implications) to assess the practice.
Climate change will undeniably impact tree species’ geographic ranges, the composition and diversity of forest ecosystems, and the services they provide. However, the natural processes of migration and adaptation may lag the pace of climate change. Forest managers can adopt adaptable practices like forest assisted migration to mitigate the impact. This involves intentionally relocating seed sources and implementing silvicultural practices that increase forests' adaptive capacity. Adaptive capacity refers to a forested system's ability to adjust to changing environmental conditions. Conducting multidisciplinary research on these forests is crucial to developing sustainable management strategies and ensuring ecosystem services continue.
"Forest Assisted Migration" is an essential field of study that looks at how managers can effectively sustain ecosystem services of forests in the face of climate change. FAM is done by deliberately moving species, populations, or genotypes of trees within or outside their existing range. When the movement occurs within the current range, it is called Assisted Population Migration. When it occurs slightly outside the species range, it is called Assisted Range Expansion; when it occurs far outside the species range, it is called Assisted Species Migration. This collection of research involves innovative modeling techniques and experiments that minimize errors in seed selection, assess the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on tree survival and growth, and examine maladaptation. The societal implications of FAM are also considered, as they affect various aspects of society, such as the economy, culture, and environment. Therefore, FAM requires collaboration and careful management to address potential political conflicts.
Contributions from original research, methods, reviews and mini-reviews, opinions, and perspectives may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Provenance strategies examining the mechanistic connections between environmental variables and how they relate to species establishment and survival,
- Operational-assisted migration trials that incorporate silvicultural treatments,
- Genomic approaches and measures of functional variation that identify high-fitness seed sources,
- The simulation of climate change's impact on the timing of seed dispersal, seedling emergence, and seedling establishment.
- Studies that examine how FAM approaches modify forest composition, forest diversity, and ecosystem services,
- Strategies that reduce location variability in seed selection to improve FAM management practices,
- Studies investigating the risk of maladaptation of species to the extreme weather events of future climate,
- Critical biotic and abiotic constraints to species establishment and regeneration in novel environments,
- Social science perspectives exploring land managers or the public's perception of FAM approaches.
Climate change will undeniably impact tree species’ geographic ranges, the composition and diversity of forest ecosystems, and the services they provide. However, the natural processes of migration and adaptation may lag the pace of climate change. Forest managers can adopt adaptable practices like forest assisted migration to mitigate the impact. This involves intentionally relocating seed sources and implementing silvicultural practices that increase forests' adaptive capacity. Adaptive capacity refers to a forested system's ability to adjust to changing environmental conditions. Conducting multidisciplinary research on these forests is crucial to developing sustainable management strategies and ensuring ecosystem services continue.
"Forest Assisted Migration" is an essential field of study that looks at how managers can effectively sustain ecosystem services of forests in the face of climate change. FAM is done by deliberately moving species, populations, or genotypes of trees within or outside their existing range. When the movement occurs within the current range, it is called Assisted Population Migration. When it occurs slightly outside the species range, it is called Assisted Range Expansion; when it occurs far outside the species range, it is called Assisted Species Migration. This collection of research involves innovative modeling techniques and experiments that minimize errors in seed selection, assess the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on tree survival and growth, and examine maladaptation. The societal implications of FAM are also considered, as they affect various aspects of society, such as the economy, culture, and environment. Therefore, FAM requires collaboration and careful management to address potential political conflicts.
Contributions from original research, methods, reviews and mini-reviews, opinions, and perspectives may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Provenance strategies examining the mechanistic connections between environmental variables and how they relate to species establishment and survival,
- Operational-assisted migration trials that incorporate silvicultural treatments,
- Genomic approaches and measures of functional variation that identify high-fitness seed sources,
- The simulation of climate change's impact on the timing of seed dispersal, seedling emergence, and seedling establishment.
- Studies that examine how FAM approaches modify forest composition, forest diversity, and ecosystem services,
- Strategies that reduce location variability in seed selection to improve FAM management practices,
- Studies investigating the risk of maladaptation of species to the extreme weather events of future climate,
- Critical biotic and abiotic constraints to species establishment and regeneration in novel environments,
- Social science perspectives exploring land managers or the public's perception of FAM approaches.
Keywords: abiotic factors, acclimation, adaptation, adaptive silviculture, artificial regeneration, biotic factors, climate change, genetics, genomics, global change, cryptic maladaptation, modeling, outplanting, societal objectives, social acceptability, urban forests
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