CABOT – Taking steps toward climate resilience and flood resilience will benefit both the landowner and everyone downstream, if proper precautions are taken. There are steps to take that can add to climate resilience of a forest and land.
As climate change progresses and extreme weather events become more powerful, these steps could prevent damage and erosion.
The first step is to know the woodlands and assess any vulnerabilities, such as erosion. A small ditch can quickly become a large gully during events like those we experienced the past two summers in July.
It is crucial to slow and sink water from runoff paths as quickly as possible before it becomes channelized. Waterbars or dips are remarkably effective at pushing water flow off roads and into the forest, allowing it to sink into the soil.
Protecting soil and water is important for forest health and resilience. Doing so will ensure the forest can persevere and grow in the future.
Focusing on forest regeneration will mean having multiple generations of trees in a forest, improving its resilience. The forest should include trees that are young and old, meaning early successional species, young trees, and mature trees.
As forests grow and include more tree species of various sizes, ages, and conditions (including standing dead trees), they will develop greater structural complexity. Dead trees, though seemingly undesirable, also have a place in a forest by protecting soils, retaining water, and cycling nutrients back into the soil. If dead trees present obvious hazards, remove them for safety. Fallen dead trees will cycle nutrients into the soil and provide food and shelter for many organisms.
Managing forest stressors is another important part of improving forest health. Forest stressors include invasive species, insects, over-browsing by wildlife, and wind events. Reducing forest stressors is a crucial step in improving overall forest health.
Favoring tree species that are future-adapted, meaning they will do well as temperatures increase due to climate change, is also beneficial. Protecting the rare, unique, and significant plants in your forest will improve biodiversity.
Lastly, monitor a forest and plan for unexpected events. If not comfortable assessing a forest’s condition, contact a consulting forester who has the knowledge and skillset to assist in effectively managing a forest.
This article by Roland Payne, Cabot tree warden, first appeared in the Cabot Chronicle.
