Climate Change Response Framework projects Presentation to the Forest Community Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity in the Context of Climate Change Workshop November 8, 2011 Missoula Montana

Summary: A collaborative approach among scientists, managers, and landowners to incorporate climate change considerations into forest management. Outcomes: An integrated set of tools, partnerships, and actions to support “climate smart” conservation and management. Climate Change Response Framework

Key Components:  Vulnerability Assessment  Partnerships  Science Applications and Needs  Adaptation Resources Climate Change Response Framework

The framework is a process for engagement, assessment, and management in pursuit of climate change adaptation Identify location, ecosystems, & time frame 2. Establish partnerships 3. Assess vulnerabilities & mitigation potential 4. Develop strategies & approaches 5. Implement at appropriate scales 6. Integrate monitoring & evaluate effectiveness

Climate Change Response Framework Projects 3 National Forests MO, IL, IN 2 National Forests OH, WV 6 National Forests MN, WI, MI

CCRF Progress in Wisconsin Ecosystem Vulnerability Assessment and Synthesis (EVAS):  Evaluate key ecosystem vulnerabilities under a range of future climate uncertainty using existing models and information.  Primary focus on forest ecosystems.  Hot off the presses!

CCRF Progress in Wisconsin Partnerships – Shared Landscapes Initiative:  Foster dialogue about climate change impacts on ecosystems, management responses, and cooperative activities across a variety of organizations  Sub-teams on specific topics: ecosystems, communication, economics, human dimensions, etc.  Pursuing multi-landowner demonstration projects for climate change adaptation

CCRF Progress in Wisconsin Science Applications and Needs:  Identify the science needs, monitoring infrastructure, and applications necessary for making science-based management decisions within the context of uncertainty  Original focus was on Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest; currently evaluating ways to expand scope and participation.

CCRF Progress in Wisconsin Forest Adaptation Resources:  Provides a “menu” of adaptation actions  Information and considerations specific to regional forest types Options  Foundational adaptation concepts, i.e., resistance, resilience, and response Strategies  Broad adaptation responses that consider ecological and managerial conditions Approaches  More detailed adaptation responses selected based on specific site conditions and management objectives Tactics  Prescriptive actions designed for individual site conditions and management objectives Broad ApplicationImplementation

Forest Adaptation Resources:  Workbook incorporates climate change into management  Flexibility to fit into existing decision-making processes EVAS and other resources Adaptation Strategies and Approaches CCRF Progress in Wisconsin