DNR Climate Change Efforts

DNR Climate Change Efforts
Paul Dubuque, Keith Wendt, and John
Almendinger
MNDNR
Climate-informed Forest Management Forum
Grand Rapids, MN May 7-8, 2014
Outline
I.
II.
III.
DNR Climate Policy Overview
Adapting Silviculture and Timber Programs
ECS tools and science-based information
Climate Change and Renewable Energy Team
(CREST)
Purpose: Lead change and build agency capacity to implement
climate-change mitigation and adaptation actions.
CREST
Steering Team
(FOR; EWR; PAT; FAW;
OSD)
Climate
Adaptation
Team
Carbon
Sequestration
Team
Integration Team
Energy
Efficiency
Team
Biofuels Team
Milestone: DNR Staff Survey (2010)
•
•
Benchmark snapshot of staff knowledge & beliefs
Perceived obstacles: funding/staff, knowledge, leadership
direction
Milestone: Management Foundations (2011)
•
•
MN climate and energy: trends & impacts
Management response: large-scale strategies & case studies
Linking Strategic Direction to Operations
Climate change strategies:
• what,
• where, and
• how much?
- Not an “add-on”, rather a “retooling” of existing work -
Team Progress (2012-2014)
Adaptation Team
• Adaptation Strategies Project: forest; grassland; aquatic; and wetland
systems (2011-2012)
• Regional Staff Climate Adaptation Workshops (June 2013)
• Adaptation Strategy Guide (projected June 2014)
Carbon Sequestration Team
• Incorporating forest carbon modeling into DNR forest planning (2014)
• Evaluating DNR potential for generating revenue by selling carbon credits
(2014)
• Participating in Climate Solutions and Economic Opportunities Project
(2014)
Team Progress (2012-2014)
Biofuels Team
•
•
Comprehensive revision of biomass policies in DNR’s Timber Sale and
Scale Manual (2012)
DNR facilities identified for installing wood energy systems (2013-14)
(Itasca and Sudan State Parks and DNR Tower Office)
•
Statewide Wood Energy Team: A multi-stakeholder effort to support
wood energy systems in MN ($250K grant) (2013)
Integration Team
• Scoping Two Proposed Operational Orders:
1) Energy Efficiency and 2) Adaptation and Land-based Mitigation
• Operational Orders will require:
1) Division specific guidance and 2) Scorecard for tracking agency progress
Forest & Climate Interactions
Climate
Warmer/longer
growing season
Invasive Species
Pathogens
Extreme Weather
Tree Distribution,
Productivity,
Reproduction
Forest Composition,
Structure, Function
Source: Fettig et al. J. of Forestry May 2013
Extreme Weather Events and Wildfire
1999 BWCA Blowdown
damaged > 477,000 acres
Other blowdowns in 2005,2008,2011
2006-2011 Fires
burned >200,000 acres
SAVING
THE GREAT NORTH WOODS
“Across Minnesota, a determined counterattack is emerging against a looming threat to the
northern forest — climate change”. Star Tribune Oct. 13, 2013
Forestry: A No-Regrets Strategy
Climate benefits and other significant co-benefits
Outline
DNR Regional Workshop Forest Adaptation
Strategies Work
• Opportunities
• Constraints
ECS (Native Plant Community Systems)
Forest Ecosystem Vulnerability Assessment
Forest Information for Site Assessment
Manitou Adaptive Forest Management Project
Acknowledgements & Questions
2013 DNR Regional Workshop Forest
Adaptation Strategies Work
HIGH RANKED OPPORTUNITIES (Operations Level):
- Favor or restore native species that are expected to be better adapted to
future conditions. (wider moisture, temp tolerances).
- Maintain, enhance, or restore diversity of native forest species, including
trees, shrubs, herbs following disturbance.
- Increase genetic diversity of nursery stock or seed to provide those species of
genotypes likely to succeed.
- Promote diverse age classes.
- Alter forest structure or composition to reduce risk or severity of fire and
susceptibility to pests/disease, and invasive species.
- Protect future-adapted regeneration from herbivory.
- Use seeds, germplasm, and other genetic material from across a greater
geographic range.
2013 DNR Regional Workshop Forest
Adaptation Strategies Work
HIGH RANKED OPPORTUNITIES Strategic Level:
- Restore fire to fire-adapted ecosystems.
- Maintain and create habitat corridors, riparian areas through
reforestation or restoration.
- Establish and expand reserves and reserve networks to link habitats and
protect key communities.
- Use Landscape-scale planning and partnerships to reduce fragmentation
and enhance connectivity.
2013 DNR Regional Workshop Forest
Adaptation Strategies Work
MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS:
- Informational/Technical: lack of climate change adaptive strategies at field level; forest
inventory, regeneration, stand development data don’t allow for the most effective
monitoring of plan goals.
- Economic: land status and rotation ages may influence the ability to maintain species
and age class diversity. Extreme weather and natural disturbance events have significant
impacts on human and natural resources. (e.g. staffing response, infrastructure,
workloads, others.)
- Cultural: getting climate change issues adequately addressed in landscape planning?
How to balance regeneration strategies (e.g. natural regeneration in conifer types vs
artificial planting, and seeding, nursery stock focus)? Deer populations
- Political: Inadequate funding for TSI and intermediate stand treatments; prescribed fire
has limited application across the landscape.
Forestry Tools & Information
MN DNR Ecological Classification System
Six Native Plant Community Systems with Commercial Tree
Species
•
Fire-dependent
Forest/Woodlands
•
Mesic Hardwood Forests
•
Floodplain Forests
•
Wet Forests
•
Forested Rich Peatlands
•
Acid Peatlands
Forestry Tools & Information
MN DNR NPC System Level
A basic understanding helps inform broad management
options by knowing…
•
Hydrologic and soil moisture
regime
•
seasonal availability of
Upland
nutrients … nitrogen
•
•
natural disturbance regimes
commercial tree succession …
advance regeneration
•
production and
decomposition
Wetland
Vulnerability
The degree to which...
an ecosystem, resource, or species is susceptible to
and unable to cope with adverse effects of climate
change.
(Adapted from IPCC 2007, Fussel and Klein 2006)
Vulnerability
Non-climate
stressors
Exposure (to local climate changes) + Sensitivity (to the changes) adaptive capacity = Vulnerability.
Forest System Vulnerabilities
NIACS Climate Change Response Framework
• www.ForestAdaptation.org
Minnesota Forest Ecosystem Vulnerability Assessment
• LMF Province
o NPC System level
• 3 modeling teams
o Tree Atlas
o Landis-II
o PnET-CN
• Experts workshop
• Results available
Host and Brown, NRRI
Forest System Vulnerabilities
Vulnerability – an assessment of the magnitude of risk
Forest System Vulnerabilities
- Adaptive strategies implicit for managing FF, MH, FD Systems.
- WF, FP,AP have higher risk, potentially greater negative impacts.
Forest Information for Site Assessment
What’s available to the Forester?
1.
Management Plan Direction & Goals
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/subsection/index.html
2.
GIS Spatial Data & DNR Partner Comments
3.
MFRC Site Level Guidelines
http://mn.gov/frc/documents/council/sitelevel/MFRC_Revised%20Forest%20Management%20Guidelines%20(2012).pdf
4.
Forest Inventory Data
5.
NPC Field Guides
6.
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/books/plantcommguide_orderform.pdf
NPC Worksheets, Mapping, and Factsheets
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/npc/index.html
7.
Timber Plot “Cruise” Data
8.
Field Observations!!
Forest Information for Site Assessment
MN DNR Forest Inventory
Climate Change
Considerations
Forest Inventory
Stand Cover Types
Disturbance Regime
Age?
Spatial Size of Unit
3-100’s acres (e.g. QA54
stand) relative to dominant
tree species by age, size
class
Trees
 Ranked by commercial
volume, size class at time
of inventory
Advanced Regeneration
 Ranked by
abundance/occupancy at
time of inventory
Vegetation
Tree species
Soils & Hydrology
Physiographic class estimate
Landscape
Slope designation
Moisture/Nutrients
N/A
I&D
 Estimate of tree species
damage at time of
inventory
Forest Information for Site Assessment
MN DNR NPC
Climate Change
Considerations
ECS
NPC Classes
Disturbance Regime
 NPC System (fire, wind, I &
D, water), growth stage,
ecological processes
Spatial Size of Unit
3-1000’s acres (e.g. FDn43)
relative to disturbance regime
Trees
 Ranked by abundance/cover
relative to disturbance
regime.
Advanced Regeneration
 Ranked by abundance/cover
relative to disturbance
regime
Vegetation
 Trees, shrubs, forbs, ferns,
grasses, etc.
Soils & Hydrology
 Soil texture, soil profile
descriptions
Landscape
Landforms, LTA units of
hierarchy
Moisture/Nutrients
 NPC ranking 1 thru 9
Tree Suitability
I&D
 NPC System relative to
disturbance regime,
ecological processes
Forest Information for Site Assessment
MN DNR NPC + Forest Inventory
Climate Change
Considerations
ECS
NPC Classes
Forest Inventory
Stand Cover Types
Disturbance Regime
 NPC System (fire, wind, I &
D, water), growth stage,
ecological processes
Age?
Spatial Size of Unit
3-1000’s acres (e.g. FDn43)
relative to disturbance regime
3-100’s acres (e.g. QA54
stand) relative to dominant
tree species by age, size
class
Trees
 Ranked by abundance/cover
relative to disturbance
regime.
 Ranked by commercial
volume, size class at time
of inventory
Advanced Regeneration
 Ranked by abundance/cover
relative to disturbance
regime
 Ranked by
abundance/occupancy at
time of inventory
Vegetation
 Trees, shrubs, forbs, ferns,
grasses, etc.
Tree species
Soils & Hydrology
 Soil texture, soil profile
descriptions
Physiographic class estimate
Landscape
Landforms, LTA units of
hierarchy
Slope designation
Moisture/Nutrients
 NPC ranking 1 thru 9
Tree Suitability
N/A
I&D
 NPC System relative to
disturbance regime,
ecological processes
 Estimate of tree species
damage at time of
inventory
Forest Information for Site Assessment
Why ECS and Forest Inventory should be considered
together when visiting stands and writing prescriptions?
Because cover-type and stand age do not
specifically address:
The suitability and competitive ability of all tree species – present or not.
Tree succession and advance regeneration.
Soil conditions that affect equipment operability and indicate hydrology.
Competition at regeneration and mid-canopy stages.
Natural disturbance regimes that can serve as models for selecting
appropriate silvicultural systems.
Suitable seed zones for nursery stock.
These factors become increasingly important with a
changing climate
Forestry Information for Site Assessment
MN DNR Silviculture Program
Adding ECS Floristic Region to Regeneration Standards
Jack Pine
Floristic
Region
Northern
1
3
Seeding
Planting
Standards Check
Standards Check
500-600 JP TPA
500-600 JP TPA
75% JP Stocking
75% JP Stocking
(1/100th ac. plots) (1/100th ac. plots)
Planting Survey
Recommended
Central
Seeding
Planting
Standards Check
Standards Check
250-500 JP TPA
400-500 JP TPA
60% JP Stocking
75% JP Stocking
(1/100th ac. plots) (1/250th ac. plots)
Planting Survey
Recommended
Growing seasons since initiation
5
6
Planting
Standards
Check
400-600 JP TPA
Seeding Survey
Recommended
Planting
Standards
Check
300-500 Crop
TPA
Seeding
Standards
Check
300-500 Crop
TPA
Why is this important?
8
10
Planting
Standards
Check 400-500
Crop TPA
75 % of plots
are FTG
Seeding
Standards
Check
400-500 Crop
TPA
75 % of plots
are FTG
Planting
Standards
Check
300-500 Crop
TPA
75 % of plots
are FTG
Seeding
Standards
Check
300-500 Crop
TPA
75 % of plots
are FTG
Forest Information for Site Assessment
MN DNR Silviculture Program
Because field observations and monitoring of jack pine in
floristic regions show differences in …
These have implications for
a changing climate on:
1. Silvicultural approaches to
regeneration
2. Timber productivity
3. Regional
insect &
disease
problems
Forest Information for Site Assessment
Linking ECS to Timber Sale Operations
Soil Operability Table + DNR
Forestry Rutting Standards
together help minimize site
damage.
Allows foresters an indirect
way to verify frozen or dry,
non-frozen harvest timber
sales.
Not perfect system, but
allows for additional file
documentation.
Forest Information for Site Assessment
Additional ECS Products Available for Foresters
Tree Suitability Tables (select crop trees, evaluate missing
species, non-commercial, quantify post treatment success or failure,
anticipate competition given choice of crop tree,
evaluate species options for a warming, drying climate.
See Handout
Silvicultural Interpretations (provide stand level
considerations for regeneration, site limitations (e.g. watch-outs), and,
other prescription / sale design elements).
New version and templates being considered.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/ecs_silv/interpretations.html
Adaptive Forest Management Patch
Project FDn43 – Finland, MN
- Large multi block timber sale regenerate more than 70% of the NPC
within the patch area to a young
vegetative growth stage – School Trust
- Retain biological legacies that contain:
wildlife species of concern; sensitive
plant communities; older growth stages;
and advanced regeneration of white
cedar.
- Stand treatments include natural /
artificial seeding and planting, timber
stand improvement (e.g. weeding,
release, and protection) and future
timber harvest to achieve desired
characteristics.
DFC: (50-100 yrs), a multi aged mixed
conifer –hardwood forest where natural
regeneration of new cohorts can selfreplace after logging or other
management activities.
Adaptive Forest Management Patch
Project FDn43 – Finland, MN
Natural Stand Dynamics
Timber harvest and site prep treatments emulate “fire disturbance”. Regenerate and favor portions
of the patch toward aspen, birch, pine, spruce. Transition other portions of the patch to older growth
stages and favor spruce, balsam fir, maple, cedar, yellow birch.
IMPLEMENT ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AS CONDITIONS AND MARKETS CHANGE!!
Adaptive Forest Management Patch Project Tree Suitability
Species
Crop Tree
Tree
Suitability
Rank wd
WS
Excellent
7
WP
Excellent
2wd
WC
Excellent
5
QA
Excellent
3wd
PB
Excellent
1wd
BF
Excellent
6
RM
Good
8wd
YB
??
??
Post-harvest small-med gap regeneration
of spruce, white pine, cedar, aspen, paper
birch, red maple, balsam fir, yellow birch
Adaptive Forest Management Patch Project Tree Suitability
Species
Crop Tree
Tree
Suitability
Rank wd
WS
Excellent
7
WP
Excellent
2wd
WC
Excellent
5
QA
Excellent
3wd
PB
Excellent
1wd
BF
Excellent
6
NP
Excellent
4d
RM
Good
8wd
Post-harvest large gap regeneration of
spruce, white pine, cedar, aspen, paper
birch, red maple, balsam fir, Norway pine
Adaptive Forest Management Patch Project –
Monitoring (TNC + DNR)
Conservation Objectives
Ecological
Attributes/Indicators
Climate Change
Adaptation Strategy
Increase structural diversity in
early-mid-seral VGSs
a) Coarse woody debris (CWD)
decay class, volume and %
cover
b) Snag basal area and density
c) Structural complexity index
(H’)
Structural Diversity
Maintain characteristic species
diversity within VGSs
Increase regeneration of long
lived conifers and hardwoods
in younger VGSs
a) Species density/basal area
within Vegetation Growth
Stage (VGS)
b) Species density in
seedling/sapling layers
Species Diversity.
Limit the impact of invasive
plant species
a) Cover/presence of native
species
b) Cover/presence of invasive
species
Reduce risk, severity, and
susceptibility to pests/disease,
and invasive species.
Favor or restore native species
that are expected to be better
adapted to future conditions.
(wider moisture, temp
tolerances – Portion of Block B
is part of TNC Adaptation
Forestry Project in NE MN).
Acknowledgments
MN DNR Climate Change Adaptation Team Members
–Andy Holdsworthy, Mike Larson.
MN DNR ECS Program & Staff
“The Foundations of Silvilculture”
The Nature Conservancy, Mark White,Chris Dunham
Duluth, MN
Manitou Collaborative Members (USFS, TNC, MN
DNR, Lake County, Wolf-Ridge ELC, Others)
Questions?
“Ecology is of fundamental importance to the
forester because it brings true scientific attitude to
the multitudinous problems bearing upon the origin
and development of forests…”
“The most comprehensive study of environmental
factors by the forester leads to nothing useful,
unless the forest vegetation itself is interpreted in
harmony with them.”
- J. W. Toumey, Professor of Silviculture, Yale
University 1928

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