About the TAFCC

The Taskforce on Adapting Forests to Climate Change (TAFCC) is a group of scientists and land managers that are particularly interested in understanding the potential effects of climate change on natural and planted forests in the western U.S.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that global average surface temperatures will raise during the 21st century. Furthermore, confidence is increasing on regional-scale projections of changes in temperature, precipitation, climatic extremes, wind patterns, and ice. Adaptability, which refers to the ability of forest trees to tolerate abiotic and biotic stresses such as cold, drought, insects, disease, and fire, has both genetic and environmental components which can be altered via forest management. The genetic contribution can be influenced positively or negatively depending on which seed source is used for reforestation, whereas the environmental component can be altered by silvicultural treatments such as thinning and fertilization.

Because populations of forest trees are genetically adapted to their local climates, adaptability may decline as climates change, whereas short-term productivity may increase or decrease depending on location. Furthermore, because climate change may increase fires, droughts, and pests, changes in silvicultural prescriptions may be desirable. Key questions in adapting forest management to changes in climate include (1) how will climate change affect the physiology and development of western tree species?, (2) how will climate change affect the health and productivity of natural and planted forests?, and (3) to what extent should forest management activities be altered in response to climate change? An overarching goal of this group is to consider these questions in relation to forest tree genetics, tree breeding, and silviculture.

Mission

The mission of the Taskforce is to provide public and private forest landowners with science-based management options suitable for meeting diverse management objectives under alternative climate change scenarios.

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Disclaimer

The information at this site is provided solely for the user's information and, while thought to be accurate, is provided strictly "as is" and without warranty of any kind. The Taskforce on Adapting Forests to Climate Change and its members will not be liable to you for any damages, direct or indirect, or lost profits arising out of your use of information provided at this site, or information provided at any other site that can be accessed from this site.