Changing Climate, Changing Forests:

The Impacts of Climate Change on 

Forests of the Northeastern United 

States and Eastern Canada

Lindsey Rustad, John Campbell, Jeffrey S. Dukes, 

Thomas Huntington, Kathy Fallon Lambert, 

Jacqueline Mohan, and Nicholas Rodenhouse

Northern 

Research Station

General Technical

Report NRS-99

Forest 

Service

United States Department of Agriculture

Reviewed and approved for 

reprinting August 2014
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Abstract

Decades of study on climatic change and its direct and indirect effects on forest ecosystems 

provide important insights for forest science, management, and policy. A synthesis of 

recent research from the northeastern United States and eastern Canada shows that the 

climate of the region has become warmer and wetter over the past 100 years and that 

there are more extreme precipitation events. Greater change is projected in the future. The 

amount of projected future change depends on the emissions scenarios used. Tree species 

composition of northeast forests has shifted slowly in response to climate for thousands of 

years. However, current human-accelerated climate change is much more rapid and it is 

unclear how forests will respond to large changes in suitable habitat. Projections indicate 

signifi cant declines in suitable habitat for spruce-fi r forests and expansion of suitable habitat 

for oak-dominated forests. Productivity gains that might result from extended growing 

seasons and carbon dioxide and nitrogen fertilization may be offset by productivity losses 

associated with the disruption of species assemblages and concurrent stresses associated 

with potential increases in atmospheric deposition of pollutants, forest fragmentation, 

and nuisance species. Investigations of links to water and nutrient cycling suggest that 

changes in evapotranspiration, soil respiration, and mineralization rates could result in 

signifi cant alterations of key ecosystem processes. Climate change affects the distribution 

and abundance of many wildlife species in the region through changes in habitat, food 

availability, thermal tolerances, species interactions such as competition, and susceptibility 

to parasites and disease. Birds are the most studied northeastern taxa. Twenty-seven of 

the 38 bird species for which we have adequate long-term records have expanded their 

ranges predominantly in a northward direction. There is some evidence to suggest that 

novel species, including pests and pathogens, may be more adept at adjusting to changing 

climatic conditions, enhancing their competitive ability relative to native species. With the 

accumulating evidence of climate change and its potential effects, forest stewardship efforts 

would benefi t from integrating climate mitigation and adaptation options in conservation and 

management plans.

Manuscript received for publication 22 September 2011

Cover Photo

Sandy Stream Pond at the foot of Mt. Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine. Photo by 

PaulCyrPhotography.com.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests:

The Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the 

Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

LINDSEY RUSTAD is a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, 

Durham, NH.

JOHN CAMPBELL is a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station in 

Durham, NH.

JEFFREY S. DUKES is an associate professor of forestry and natural resources at Purdue University, 

West Lafayette, IN.

THOMAS HUNTINGTON is a research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Augusta, ME.

KATHY FALLON LAMBERT is a science and policy program director with Harvard Forest, in 

Petersham, MA.

JACQUELINE MOHAN is an assistant professor at the Odum School of Ecology, University of 

Georgia, Athens, GA.

NICHOLAS RODENHOUSE is a professor of biological sciences at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA.

Contributors

Contributors include members of the NE Forests 2100 steering committee and all coauthors 

to the series of fi ve papers published in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 2009, 

volume 39, issue 2.

Matthew Ayres, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 

Elizabeth Boyer, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 

Nicholas Brazee, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 

Lynn M. Christenson, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 

Sheila F. Christopher, Buff alo State College, Buff alo, NY 

Barry Cooke, Canadian Forest Service, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Roger Cox, Canadian Forest Service, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Marc DeBlois, Gouvernment du Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada

Charlie T. Driscoll, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 

Joan Ehrenfeld, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 

Ivan. J. Fernandez, University of Maine, Orono, ME 

Jeff rey R. Garnas, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 

Linda E. Green, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 

Peter M. Groff man, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 

Jessica Gurevitch, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 

Robin Harrington, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 

Katharine Hayhoe, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 

R.T. Holmes, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 
Daniel Houle. Ministère des Ressources Naturelles et de la Faune du Québec, Québec, Canada

Louis R. Iverson, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, Delaware, OH 

J. Kiekbusch, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 

J.D. Lambert, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, VT 

Manuel Lerdau, University of Virginia, Boyce, VA 

Allison Magill, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 

S.N. Matthews, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, Delaware, OH 

K. P. McFarland, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, VT 

Kevin J. McGuire, Virginia Polytech, Blacksburg, VA 

Myron J. Mitchell, SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 

Scott V. Ollinger, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

David Orwig, Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA 

Daniel Parry, SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 

Jennifer Pontius, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, Durham, NH 

A. Prasad, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, Delaware, OH 

Andrew Richardson, Harvard University, Boston, MA 

Vikki L. Rodgers, Babson College, Boston, MA 

T.S. Sillett, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC 

Erik E. Stange, Dartmouth College, Hanover, MA 

Kristina Stinson, Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA 

Kathleen A. Th eoharides, Defenders of Wildlife, Washington, DC

Mark Watson, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), 

 Albany, NY

Norman Willard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Boston, MA 

Robert Wick, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
CONTENTS

Foreword ....................................................................................................... 1

Introduction .................................................................................................... 2

How is the Climate of the Northeast Changing? ............................................ 6

How is the Water Cycle of the Northeast Responding to 

 Climate Change? ..................................................................................... 11

How are Northeast Forests Responding to Climate Change? ..................... 15

How is Biogeochemical Cycling in Northeast Forests Changing with 

 Climate Change? ..................................................................................... 23

How is Wildlife in Northeast Forests Responding to 

 Climate Change? ..................................................................................... 27

How are Nuisance Species of Northeast Forests Responding to 

 Climate Change? ..................................................................................... 32

Conclusions and Implications for Policy: Mitigating and Adapting to 

 Climate Change in Northeast Forests ..................................................... 36

Acknowledgments ........................................................................................ 39

Literature Cited ............................................................................................ 40

Boxes

1 Climate Change in the Northeast: Mounting Evidence .............................. 3

2 New Climate Models: Scaling Down from Continents to Regions 

 and Sites .................................................................................................. 8

3 Our Climate, Ourselves: Social and Economic Implications of 

 Climate Change in the Northeast .......................................................... 13

4 A Tough Transition For Future Forests ................................................... 15

5 Forest Composition: Do Species Matter? ................................................ 19

6 Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: A Climate Change Case 

 Study ..................................................................................................... 21
Wolfrun Natural Area, Vermont. 

Photo by ©Susan C. Morse, used with permission.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 1

FOREWORD

Th e climate of northeastern North America has changed markedly over the past 100 years and 

computer models for the region forecast more change to come. Policy makers, land managers, 

citizens, and scientists must grapple with what this change means for the future of the region 

and its forests. Th is report summarizes fi ve climate science papers published in the Canadian 

Journal of Forest Research (see Box 1). It provides a picture of the potential eff ects of climate 

change and provides a concise scientifi c overview to inform natural resource management and 

policy decisions.

Th is report, “Changing Climate, Changing Forests” grew out of a cross-disciplinary synthesis 

undertaken by a coalition of 38 U.S. and Canadian scientists as part the larger Northeast 

Forests (NE Forests) 2100 initiative. NE Forests 2100 was funded by the Northern States 

Research Cooperative (NSRC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development 

Authority (NYSERDA), and builds on the eff orts of the Northeastern Ecosystem Research 

Cooperative (NERC). Th e northeast study region spans seven states of the northeastern United 

States and fi ve provinces of eastern Canada (Fig. 1). Th e report traces observed and projected 

shifts in temperature and precipitation and links them to a web of structural, biogeochemical, 

and wildlife shifts occurring throughout the region’s forests.

Evidence of climate change and its impact on northeastern forests has grown stronger with each 

passing year. Nonetheless, future changes and eff ects are uncertain. In this context, how should 

forest managers, policymakers, nongovernmental organizations, scientists, and concerned 

citizens act? A forward looking approach to forest management and policy that encompasses 

a range of possible future conditions is likely to help retain the resilience of forest ecosystems 

and the critical economic and environmental services they provide. We suggest that stewards 

of Northeast forests consider taking measures that will draw on forests’ climate mitigation 

potential and aid forests’ adaptation to changing conditions.

QUE

LAB

NF

NY

VT

NH

NB

NS

ME

MA

CT

RI

Figure 1.—The Northeast Forests 

2100 Iniative includes Quebec, 

Labrador, Newfoundland, New 

Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New York, 

and the fi ve New England states.
2 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

INTRODUCTION

What is Climate Change and Why Does it Matter?

Evidence of climate change and its impact on northeast forests has grown stronger with each 

passing year. Human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, fertilizer production and use, 

and land use change are driving up concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 

gases in the atmosphere. Th e emissions of these gases, which are accelerating, are trapping heat 

and altering the Earth’s climate. Our climate shapes our basic living conditions. It controls the 

growth of agricultural and forest crops that supply our food and fi ber, determines our energy 

needs for heating and cooling, infl uences the potency of pollutants in our air and water, and 

drives the melting of glaciers and sea level rise. Even small changes in climate may therefore 

have major eff ects on forests and thus for society (Fig. 3).

Climate diff ers from weather. Weather refers to the day-to-day changes in local conditions 

such as temperature, precipitation, and humidity. Climate is the long-term average of these 

indicators across large regions. Because climate is a long-term average, shifts in climate are 

harder to observe than changes in weather. Th at’s where research comes in. By tracking 

temperature and precipitation patterns over time and in response to changing atmospheric 

conditions—such as rising greenhouse gas concentrations –researchers can trace long-term 

patterns in climate as distinct from the weather patterns we experience day to day.

Th e Earth’s surface air temperature has warmed by approximately 1.4 °F (0.8 °C) over the past 

century. Th e amount and patterns of precipitation have also changed (IPCC 2007). Over the 

next century, temperatures will continue to increase. Th e increase will depend on the amount of 

greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere from human activities and, to a smaller extent, on 

natural climate variability.

Model projections of future change based on low and high emission scenarios developed by the 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimate a 5.2 to 9.5 °F (2.9 to 5.3 oC) 

increase in the Earth’s average surface air temperatures by the year 2100 (Nakicenovic et al. 

2000).

In 2011, the average global concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), the most 

common greenhouse gas, was 387 parts per million (ppm). Th is is the highest level in the last 

800,000 years. Projections for the future suggest that the world will follow or exceed the high 

emission scenario (Friedlingston et al. 2010).

Rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere have implications for both local 

and global climates. Over the last century, the patterns of warming in the northeastern United 

States has been strikingly similar to the patterns for the entire United States and for the whole 

world (Fig. 2).

Th e NE Forests 2100 project examined the infl uence of climate change on the forests of the 

Northeast. Th e work, which synthesized historic records, experimental studies, and computer 

models, reveals important linkages between climate and the basic functioning of the region’s 

forests.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 3

Box 1: Climate Change in the Northeast: 

Mounting Evidence

This report is drawn from papers published by NE Forests 

2100. These, in turn, are built on past research and 

syntheses. Key references are t he following NE Forests 2100 

papers, published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research 

Volume 39, 2009. (Full citations are in the Literature Cited 

section beginning on page 40).

Climate and hydrological changes in the northeastern 

United States: recent trends and implications for forested 

and aquatic ecosystems, by Huntington et al.

Climate change effects on native fauna of northeastern 

forests, by Rodenhouse et al.

Composition and carbon dynamics of forests in 

northeastern North America in a future, warmer world, by 

Mohan et al.

Consequences of climate change for biogeochemical 

cycling in forests of northeastern North America, by 

Campbell et al.

Responses of insect pests, pathogens, and invasive plant 

species to climate change in the forests of northeastern 

North America: What can we predict?, by Dukes et al.

Other resources:

Karl, T.R., J.M. Melillo, and T.C. Peterson, eds. 2009. Global 

Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Cambridge 

University Press. www.globalchange.gov/usimpacts.

Fahey, T.J., F. Carranti, C. Driscoll, et al. 2011. Carbon and 

Communities: Linking Carbon Science with Public Policy 

and Resource Management in the Northeastern United 

States. Hubbard Brook Research Foundation. Science Links 

Publications, Vol. 1, no. 4.

Frumhoff , P.C., J.J. McCarthy, J.M. Melillo, et al. 2007. 

Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Northeast: Science, 

Impacts, and Solutions. Synthesis report of the Northeast 

Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA). Union of Concerned 

Scientists. 146 p.

NYSERDA ClimAID Team. 2010. Responding to Climate 

Change in New York State, the synthesis report of the 

Integrated Assessment for Effective Climate Change 

Adaptation Strategies in New York State. C. Rosenzweig, W. 

Solecki, A. DeGaetano, et al., eds. New York State Energy 

Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). http://

www.nyserda.org/programs/environment/emep/clim-aidsynthesis-draft.pdf

Spierre, S.G. and C. Wake. 2010. Trends in Extreme 

Precipitation Events in the northeastern United States: 

1948-2007. Carbon Solutions New England. University of 

New Hampshire. http:/www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/cpc/

document/2010neprecip.pdf

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

-1

0

1

Degrees Celsius

Northeast United States

World

Continental United 6tates

Figure 2.—Mean surface temperature change in the past century: global, continental U.S., northeastern 

U.S. (compared to the 1951 to 1980 mean). Over the period shown, world temperatures have increased by 

1.4 °F (0.8 °C). United States temperatures have increased by 1.5 °F (0.85 °C), and northeastern United 

States temperatures by 1 °F (0.56 °C). Global data from http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/tabledata/GLB.

Ts+dSST.txt; continental U.S. data from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/nt.html; and 

northeastern U.S. data from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/nt.html. 
4 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Figure 3.—Possible climate-driven changes in forests. Original drawing, based on processes discussed in this report. 

Illustration by Jerry Jenkins, Wildlife Conservation Society, used with permission.

CO2

R

Red Ma

oak

Loss of habitat for animals

Expansion of southern trees

Loss of

moist-forest

herbs

Expansion 

of southern 

birds

Hooded warbler

Warming and drying of ponds

Water shrew Wood frog Great blue heron

Cohoosh Clintonia Sweet

Ciciley

Increased nitrogen loss

from trees and soil 

Export of

acids, bases

& nitrogen 

 Loss of carbon from soil

Faster

decay

of litter

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CHANGES

Greater loss of bases

H+ NO3

- Ca2+ NH4

+

Growth reduced by

drought & stress
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 5

Red

aple Gap formation from tree

mortality and storm damage

Decline

 of northern

 trees

Expansion

of pests

Expansion of invasive

plants in gaps

Decline of 

northern animals

Possible root loss from

late frosts

Red

spruce

Yellow

birch

Bark

beetle

Black-throated 

blue warbler

Northern 

flying squirrel

Trillium Honeysuckle Buckthorn

Increased

 evaporatation

 and transpiration

BIOLOGICAL CHANGES

WATER CYCLE CHANGES

Dry summers,

high temperatures

Low water tables, low streamflows

 Less infiltration

More flooding

and erosion

Reduced snowpack

runoff

frozen ground

Warmer winters,

more intense storms

Dry soils
6 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

HOW IS THE CLIMATE OF THE NORTHEAST CHANGING?

Summary

Evidence from multiple datasets show unequivocally that climate change is underway in the 

Northeast, and the rate of change is faster than expected with larger changes observed since 

1970. Several long-term datasets suggest that the climate of the region has become warmer and 

wetter over the past 100 years, and that there are more extreme precipitation events (Hayhoe 

et al. 2007). Results from regional climate models predict that the Northeast will become even 

warmer and wetter in the future, but also more prone to drought (Table 1).

Temperature: Observed Change

As part of the NE Forests 2100 project, scientists reviewed long-term datasets for signs of 

climate change in the Northeast. Analysis of data from 73 meteorological stations showed that 

surface air temperatures in the Northeast have warmed by an average of 1.44 °F (0.8 °C) over 

the last century (Fig. 4). Th e rate of warming is accelerating; surface air temperatures have risen 

0.45 °F (0.25 °C) per decade between 1970 and 2000 (Hayhoe et al. 2007).

Average climate conditions tell only part of the story. Some of the most consequential changes 

in climate involve seasonal shifts and diff erences in the extreme values of temperature or 

precipitation. Winter shows the most pronounced warming in the Northeast. Th e average 

winter air temperature (December, January, and February) has increased 1.3 °F (0.7 °C) per 

Individual

Stations (°C)

<0

0-1

1-2

2-3

>3

Smoothed Values (°C)

0 1 2

Figure 4.—Temperature change in New York 

and New England in the 20th century, from 

Trombulak and Wolfson 2004. Temperature 

changes at individual stations are indicated 

by the size and shape of the fi lled dots. 

Changes for the remainder of the region have 

been estimated by a surface interpolation 

using the inverse distance weighted method.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 7

decade over the past three decades. Th e average summer temperature (June, July, and August) 

has risen just 0.2 °F (0.1 °C) per decade for the same period. Th e winter warming is consistent 

with the fi ndings of a recent regional analysis of mean, minimum and maximum winter air 

temperatures, which showed increases ranging from 0.7 to 0.8 °F (0.37 to 0.43 °C) per decade 

between 1965 and 2005 (Burakowski et al. 2008).

Both minimum and maximum temperatures are increasing, with minimums rising more 

than maximums. For example, a greater proportion of measurement stations showed warmer 

minimum temperatures than warmer maximum temperatures from 1960 to 1996 (DeGaetano 

and Allen 2002). Th ese changes have decreased the diurnal temperature range, which is the 

temperature fl uctuation in a single day. Th e diurnal temperature range is important to plants: 

insuffi cient diurnal temperature range can inhibit fl owering, seed production, or germination.

Temperature: Projected Change

A regionally down-scaled model tailored to the Northeast was used to forecast how climate in 

the region is likely to shift in the future under low and high greenhouse gas emission scenarios 

(see Box 2). Model projections suggest that by the end of the century the mean annual 

temperature will increase 5.2 °F (2.9 oC) for the low emission scenario and 9.5 °F ( 5.3 °C) 

under the high emission scenario. Seasonally, the model suggests that, contrary to what has 

been observed over the past 35 years, the temperature increases will be greater in summer than 

in winter (Hayhoe et al. 2007).

Table 1.—Observed and projected changes in the regional climate of the northeastern United States. The results 

are based on output from running the Parallel Climate Model with a low emissions (B1) scenario and the Hadley 

Climate Model with a high emissions (A1FI) scenario. See Fig. 5 for details on the scenarios. Adapted from 

Hayhoe et al. 2007.

Climate Variable Total Historical 

Change

Historical Change

1970-2000

Projected Change

to 2099,

Low Emissions

Scenario

Projected Change

to 2099,

High Emissions

Scenario

------------------------------------------------- Temperature, °F (°C) -------------------------------------------------

Annual temperature 1900-1999 +1.44 (0.80) +1.35 (0.75) +5.2 (2.9) +9.5 (5.3)

Winter (DJF) 

temperature, °C 1900-1999 +2.16 (1.20) +3.78 (2.10) +3.1 (1.7) +9.7 (5.4)

Summer (JJA) 

temperature, °C 1900-1999 +1.26 (0.70) +0.65 (0.36) +4.3 (2.4) +9.0 (5.0)

--------------------------------------------- Precipitation, inches (mm) -----------------------------------------------

Annual 1900-1999 +3.94 (100) -0.94 (24) +2.84 (72) +5.67 (144)

Winter 1900-1999 -0.20 (5) +0.35 (9) +0.99 (25) +2.47 (63)

Summer 1900-1999 +0.39 (10) -0.04 (0.9) +0.11 (2.8) 0 (0)

------------------------------------------------------ Phenology, days --------------------------------------------------

First leaf 1916-2003 -3.8 -6.6 -6.7 -15

First bloom 1916-2003 -3.6 -2.8 -6.3 -16

Snow cover

 per month 1950-1999 -0.2 -1.6 -2.4 -3.8
8 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Box 2: New Climate Models: Scaling Down 

from Continents to Regions and Sites

Computer models provide scientists with tools to forecast 

how changes in greenhouse gas emissions may influence 

future climate. Climate forecasts can inform policy decisions 

aimed at mitigating climate change as well as management 

strategies for adapting to it. The Intergovernmental Panel on 

Climate Change (IPCC) developed a series of scenarios to 

describe and quantify how global greenhouse gas emissions 

may change in the future. These scenarios are based on 

projected changes in human population size, economic 

activity, and energy utilization, which exert considerable 

influence on emissions. NE Forest 2100 scientists used these 

scenarios in an updated regional climate model to project 

how climate and other important environmental conditions 

will change in the future.

IPCC Emissions Scenarios

The IPCC has developed many different emissions scenarios 

(Fig. 5). NE Forests 2100 used two; a low emission scenario 

and a high emission scenario. These two scenarios capture 

the range of possible climate futures, as described below.

High emissions scenario (A1FI)—This is a fossil fuel 

intensive future with rapid economic growth and a 

global population that reaches 9 billion in 2050 and then 

gradually declines. New energy efficiency technologies are 

not employed until late in the century. Atmospheric CO2

concentrations rise to 940 ppm, greater than three times the 

preindustrial concentration, by 2100.

Low emissions scenario (B1)—This is a low fossil-fuel 

future. Economic growth is principally in the service and 

information sectors and clean and efficient technologies 

are adopted. As with the high emission scenario, global 

population reaches 9 billion in 2050 and then declines. 

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations rise to 550 ppm, double 

preindustrial concentrations, by 2100.

Northeast Climate Model—Updated Features

The NE Forests 2100 synthesis builds on new modeling 

techniques to forecast the impact of the high and low IPCC 

emissions scenarios on the climate of the Northeast. The 

older models treated all of New England as a single data 

point, or cell. The improved model uses a technique called 

statistical downscaling to estimate changes at a much finer 

scale (Hayhoe et al. 2007). The new model:

Assembles nine coupled atmosphere-ocean general 

circulation models (AOGCMs) that address important 

interactions among the major components of the climate 

system.

Generates climate forecasts for specific locations 

at a spatial resolution of approximately 6 miles (10 

kilometers) rather than hundreds of miles.

Provides temperature and precipitation output at a daily 

rather than monthly interval.

Provides temperature and precipitation estimates that can 

be used as input to a detailed hydrologic model called the 

variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model. The VIC model 

simulates climate effects on hydrologic variables such as 

evapotranspiration, runoff, snow water equivalent, and 

soil moisture which can then be used to model suitable 

habitat and nutrient cycling.

A1Fl

A2

A1B

B1

Global emissions (GT CO2 eq./year) 125

100

75

50

25

2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100

High

emissions

Low

emissions

Intermediate

emissions

Figure 5.—The Intergovernmental 

Panel on Climate Change greenhouse 

gas emissions scenarios from 2000-

2100. Emissions are measured in 

gigatons (billions of tons) of carbon 

dioxide equivalent, which includes 

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, 

and fl uorine gases. The NE Forests 

2100 project used the A1FI high and 

B1 low emission scenarios. Adapted 

from IPCC (2007).
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 9

Projections based on future emissions scenarios indicate growing season length will increase by 

29 to 43 days by the end of the 21st century (Hayhoe et al. 2007). Th e longer growing season 

will result in a 10- to 14-day advance in the onset of spring and a delay in fall senescence and 

leaf off . Th ese changes will have a profound impact on the region’s forests and water cycle 

including productivity, plant nutrient uptake, streamfl ows, and wildlife dynamics.

Precipitation: Observed Change

Long-term records for New England show that the average annual precipitation of 40.8 inches 

(1040 millimeters [mm]) has increased by about 3.7 inches (95 mm), or 9 percent, over the 

last century (Huntington et al. 2009). Th e largest increases were in the spring and fall (Hayhoe 

et al. 2007). Summer and winter precipitation changed little. Th e changes were larger near the 

coast than inland (Keim et al. 2005). In addition to the changes in the amount and seasonality 

of precipitation, there were changes in the precipitation extremes and the ratio of rainfall to 

snowfall (Huntington et al. 2009).

Both the intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events have increased over the 

past century. Th is is true whether events are measured by frequencies, by percentiles, or by 

recurrence intervals. Th is is shown by a recent analysis of extreme events for 213 weather 

stations for the period 1948 to 2007 (Spierre and Wake 2010). Using a subset of the weather 

stations in the Northeast with records dating back to 1900, they show that large precipitation 

events that occurred historically at a frequency of one per year have increased in frequency by 8 

percent (13 events per 12 years).

Despite a trend toward more precipitation, the Northeast is seeing longer periods without 

rainfall and longer growing seasons. Th e result is a drier growing season, especially during the 

summer months, when temperatures and evapotranspiration are high. Th is summer drying 

trend is exacerbated by reduced recharge from spring snowmelt. Data from the U.S. Historical 

Climatology Network indicate that over the last half of the 20th century an increased proportion 

of winter precipitation has occurred as rain rather than snow. Th is fi nding is consistent with 

observed decreases in snowpack depth at several sites in Maine (Hodgkins and Dudley 2006) 

and a 9-day reduction in snow-covered days across the region (Burakowski et al. 2008).

Precipitation: Projected Changes

By the end of the century, the average amount of precipitation that falls each year is expected to 

increase by 7 percent under the low emissions scenario and 14 percent under the high emissions 

scenario. Precipitation is more diffi cult to predict than temperature, and these predictions are 

correspondingly less certain.

On a seasonal basis, precipitation increases are expected to be greatest in winter (12 to 30 

percent increase), with much of this precipitation occurring as rain. As a result, the average 

number of days with snow on the ground in the winter months (December, January, and 

February) is projected to decrease by as much as 5.2 days per month by the end of the century. 

Under the high emissions scenario, models suggest that the length of the winter snow season 

could be cut in half by 2100 in parts of New England (Hayhoe et al. 2007).
10 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Precipitation is not projected to increase in the summer months. However, the intensity 

of precipitation may increase, consistent with past trends and the expectation that climate 

warming will lead to an intensifi cation of the hydrologic cycle (Huntington 2006).

Ecological Implications of Changes in Climate

Climate exerts strong infl uence over ecological functions, such as water use and plant 

productivity, that have critical impacts on forests. Warmer winters and a longer growing 

season will increase evaporation and water use by forests. Greater water use will likely reduce 

summertime soil moisture and increase the occurrence and length of droughts. Drought will 

decrease forest productivity and increase the susceptibility of trees to insects and disease, with 

ripple eff ects on fall foliage, wood supply, and other economic resources. In addition to these 

direct forest eff ects, the projected changes in temperature, snowfall, and rainfall will likely 

prompt a cascade of changes in the water cycle, resulting in altered conditions in the region’s 

rivers and streams. Th ese are considered next.

The average number 

of days with snow on 

the ground in the winter 

months is projected to 

decrease by as much as 

5.2 days per month by 

the end of the century.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 11

HOW IS THE WATER CYCLE IN THE NORTHEAST 

RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

Summary

Th e water cycle of the Northeast is already changing, sometimes in unexpected ways. Longterm data from more than two dozen rivers and dozens of ice monitoring locations show that 

the region is experiencing earlier snowmelt, earlier spring fl ows, higher fl ood fl ows, and shorter 

periods of ice cover. Future temperature increases are likely to shift more winter precipitation 

to rain, leading to higher average winter fl ows, greater likelihood of ice-jam fl ooding, reduced 

summer streamfl ow, and longer periods of summer drought.

Streamfl ow: Observed Changes

Climate-driven patterns in precipitation and temperature directly aff ect the timing and amount 

of water discharged to rivers and streams. In the Northeast, precipitation is more or less evenly 

distributed throughout the year, but in some seasons it accumulates in the snow pack, and 

in others, it is returned to the air by evaporation and transpiration. As a result, streamfl ows 

naturally vary greatly by season.

Th e water cycle responds to changes in the amount and timing of precipitation and to water 

use by the trees and other plants that cover the landscape. As precipitation increases across the 

region, more water is available for streamfl ow. However, greater evapotranspiration by the 

forests can reduce fl ow during the ecologically sensitive spring and summer periods.

Historical data for rivers in the Northeast show changes in the amount and timing of fl ows. 

Over the last 100 years, average annual streamfl ow increased at 22 of 27 sites on rivers in New 

England (Hodgkins and Dudley 2005). In addition, peak fl ows came earlier. Streamfl ow data 

from 11 rural rivers show that high spring fl ow (as measured by the date on which half of the 

water discharged from January through May has passed the gage) is occurring 1 to 2 weeks 

earlier now than in the 1930s (Hodgkins et al. 2003). Average March fl ows have increased and 

average May fl ows have decreased, lowering the May peak and making fl ows more uniform 

during the snowmelt season. Th ese changes are consistent with the impact of reductions in the 

snowpack and warmer late winter temperatures. Hartley and Dingman (1993) reached similar 

conclusions. Th ey found that maximum river fl ows in watersheds across the region occurred 

approximately 5.4 days earlier for each 1.8 °F (1 °C) increase in average annual temperatures. 

Peak river fl ows on most of the streams analyzed also increased over the past 75 years.

Streamfl ow: Projected Changes

Climate models suggest that changes in the water cycle will create even more pronounced 

shifts in spring runoff and summer low-fl ow conditions. In the future, winter rainfall is likely 

to increase, producing higher winter streamfl ows. With more precipitation falling as rain, the 

duration and extent of snow cover is projected to diminish, leading to earlier runoff and lower 

spring peak fl ows. A consequence of this change is that spring snowmelt fl ows will drop to 

summer levels earlier in the season, fl attening the streamfl ow hydrograph and leading to earlier 

summer drying (Huntington 2003).
12 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Decreased snowpack, increased water use by plants, and shifts in precipitation patterns are 

all likely to decrease summer fl ows. Snowpacks typically release their stored water slowly, 

thereby recharging groundwater and maintaining base fl ow conditions in the summer months. 

With more winter rainfall and warmer winters, winter runoff will likely increase, and overall 

snowpack depth and duration o.f snow cover will decrease Water storage may thus decrease, 

providing less water for summer periods. Th e trend towards more intense storms with longer 

intervening dry periods will increase summer drying. Th is is already being observed.

Th e U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses the August median fl ow as an indicator of low fl ow 

conditions that are critical to native fi sh. A recent analysis for the northeastern United States 

indicates that by 2100, on average, streamfl ow will arrive at critical levels about 1 week earlier in 

the summer and stay below these levels up to 3 weeks longer in the fall. Th is extended low-fl ow 

period would reduce the availability of high quality habitat for fi sh during the summer period.

Ice Cover: Observed & Projected Changes

Ice cover of lakes and rivers off ers another signal of the changing climate of the Northeast. At 

eight monitored lakes in New England, ice-out (the last date with ice) has advanced by 1 to 

2 weeks over the past 100 years (Hodgkins et al. 2002). Similarly, ice-out on many rivers in 

the northeastern United States has advanced and the total number of days with ice cover has 

decreased substantially since the 1930s (Hodgkins et al. 2005). On one river where ice thickness 

has been routinely measured since 1912, the thickness on or about 28 February has decreased 

by 46 percent (Huntington et al. 2003).

Future ice cover changes in lakes and rivers in the Northeast have not been modeled. It is 

likely that the current trend of shorter ice cover periods and earlier ice-out dates will continue. 

In addition, higher winter streamfl ows may increase the frequency of midwinter ice jams and 

associated fl ooding (Prowse and Beltaos 2002). Ice-jam fl ooding in New England can scour 

riverbanks, damage roads and infrastructure, and have adverse ecological impacts.

Implications of Changes in the Water Cycle

Climate-driven changes in the water cycle may have profound consequences for ecosystem 

services. High spring fl ows are necessary for the migration of Atlantic salmon, and are 

important for hydropower and recreational boating. Increased periods of low fl ow are stressful 

for fi sh and wildlife. Some of the environmental consequences of changes in the water cycle are 

described below, and the economic consequences are discussed in Box 3.

Water Quality Rain on snow events are expected to become more prevalent in a 

warmer winter climate and can result in increases in acid pulses to streams in acidsensitive areas. Acid pulses release inorganic aluminum which is toxic to many 

aquatic organisms. Increases in streamwater nitrate, associated with warmer winters, 

may increase the intensity of acid pulses. Th is has been projected for a sensitive site, 

Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, 

under a changing climate (Campbell et al. 2009).
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 13

Box 3: Our Climate, Our Selves: Social and 

Economic Implications of Climate Change in 

the Northeast

The Northeast’s economy is strongly tied to the region’s 

climate. In a region with natural resource-based traditions 

and industries, limits on resources mean changes and 

challenges to the landscape and its citizens.

Winter Recreation

Snowmobiling Winter recreation, and snowmobiling in 

particular, is expected to decline as temperatures rise and 

snow cover declines. There are about 40,500 miles of 

snowmobile trails in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 

New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, collectively, and 

these trails account for about a third of the trails in Nation. 

These trails generate approximately $3 billion in revenue a 

year (International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association 

2006). Fewer snow-cover days pose major challenges to this 

industry. Other recreational activities dependent on natural 

snow, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, will 

also face tough conditions with changing winter precipitation 

patterns.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding The skiing and 

snowboarding industry is likely to face shorter seasons along 

with increased snow-making requirements and associated 

operating costs as the winters get shorter and warmer. It is 

projected that 8 out of 14 ski areas in the Northeast would 

require at least 25 percent more machine-made snow in the 

next several decades (Frumhoff et al. 2007). In some more 

southerly areas, conditions are projected to become too warm 

to reliably and efficiently make snow (Frumhoff et al. 2007).

Ice Fishing Later and shorter ice cover periods has had 

a negative impact on regional ice fishing derbies. Media 

accounts in recent years lament the cancellation of fishing 

derbies due to unsafe ice conditions from Massachusetts to 

upstate New York. Ice fishing is part of a way of life in the 

region and can bring important income to rural towns.

Water Dependent Resources

Hydroelectricity Hydroelectric power depends largely on 

snowmelt runoff collected in reservoirs in the spring and 

released throughout the year to meet the region’s energy 

demands. As winter precipitation patterns shift with a higher 

proportion occurring as rain, the amount of snowmelt water 

available for long-term storage is likely to diminish, placing 

strains on peak power and summer base load production, as 

demand for energy for cooling is likely to increase.

Public Water Supply Fresh water is an important but finite 

resource that is often taken for granted in the Northeast. 

Much of our drinking water comes from reservoirs and 

aquifers that are recharged by snowmelt. If snowmelt 

decreases and summers get dryer, supplies may no longer be 

able to meet demands. 

Fisheries Fishing is culturally and economically important. 

Freshwater fish in the Northeast face the dual risk of 

increased water temperatures and lower summer flows as 

climate continues to change. According to a study by the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the rise in water 

temperatures that may occur by the end of the 21st century 

could result in a 50 to 100 percent loss of habitat for brown, 

brook, and rainbow trout—cold-water species that are highly 

valued by recreational anglers (Michaels et al. 1995).

Forest-based Industries

Forest industries are major contributors to the regional 

economy. In 2005, the northern New England revenues from 

forest industry and forest-based tourism were estimated at 

$19.5 billion (Frumhoff et al. 2007). As climate changes, both 

the nature and composition of the region’s forests and the 

conditions under which the forest industry operates could 

undergo major transformations.

Pulp and Paper The pulp and paper industry remains 

economically important in the region, particularly in Maine 

where it is a $1.4 billion industry. The industry faces 

substantial economic challenges from increased global 

competition, mechanization of operations, and restructuring. 

The reduction of suitable habitat for the spruce-fir forests 

under a high emissions scenario and the likely reduced forest 

productivity would compound the stresses and job losses in 

this industry.

Maple Syrup New England and New York produce roughly 

75 percent of the U.S. supply of syrup, with a value of 

about $25 million/year (NERA 2001). Sap flow requires 

the combination of warm days and freezing nights. Climate 

change is disrupting the pattern. In central New England, 

the start of sugaring seasons has shifted from mid-March to 

early February, producing a shorter tapping season and lower 

grade syrup.

Seasonal Tourism Fall foliage tourism accounts for 20 to 

35 percent of annual tourism in Vermont and Maine. The 

increased frequency and duration of drought, potential 

shift from colorful sugar maples to muted oaks, and later 

fall frosts could contribute to a less brilliant fall foliage. 

A less vibrant display could have significant economic 

consequences—a 50 percent reduction in fall tourism could 

account for up to a 1 percent drop in Vermont employment, 

with smaller impacts in other states (NERA 2001).
14 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Fish Populations Fish species that spawn in the spring may be most vulnerable to shifts 

in the timing of snowmelt runoff . If the timing of the spring migration of juvenile 

salmon from freshwater rivers misses the peak spring fl ows by as much as 2 weeks, 

salmon survival could decrease (McCormick et al. 1998).

Low Summer Flows Reductions in summer low fl ows increase stress to aquatic 

organisms because of reduced available habitat and increased water temperatures. Drier 

summers could also result in less groundwater to support in-stream fl ows, cool-water 

seeps in streams, and drinking water. Decrease in these fl ows could harm cold water 

species, such as trout, that rely on these cool-water refuge areas.

Lake Ice Changes in the timing of ice-out may change the likelihood and/or timing of 

ice-jam fl ooding, the rate of summer oxygen depletion in lakes, and the productivity 

and abundance of aquatic organisms.

Wooded stream in Franconia State Park, NH. 

Photo by Elizabeth Morin, used with permission.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 15

HOW ARE NORTHEAST FORESTS RESPONDING TO 

CLIMATE CHANGE?

Summary

It is diffi cult to directly measure the response of long-lived organisms, such as trees, to changing 

climate. To address this challenge, scientists forecast changes in habitat conditions and then 

project how tree species are likely to adjust to these new conditions, or “climatic envelope.” 

Th is climatic envelope approach can be used to project shifting conditions for both trees and 

wildlife. Current modeling studies project that the dominant tree species in the region are likely 

to undergo dramatic range shifts as forests slowly disassemble and reassemble in response to 

changes in suitable habitat over the next 100 years. Projections suggest that suitable habitat 

for spruce-fi r forests may virtually disappear from the Northeast in the next 100 years, and 

that habitat for the northern hardwood trees that currently dominate the region is likely to be 

replaced by conditions better suited to oak forests (Box 4).

How the productivity of forests will change is unclear. Longer growing seasons and higher 

atmospheric CO2 concentrations may increase productivity. Increased summer drought, 

changes in suitable habitat, changes in pests and disease, and continued problems with air 

pollution, nitrogen deposition, and acid rain may decrease productivity. What is clear is that 

climate change increases the uncertainty about the future of the region’s forests.

Forest Composition: Observed Changes

Northeastern forests of today are dominated by hardwood and coniferous tree species iconic 

to the region, such as maples, birches, beech, spruce, and fi r. But this has not always been 

so. Pollen and microfossil records from the Northeast reveal that climate has exerted a strong 

Box 4: A Tough Transition for Future Forests

Forests will undergo a tough transition as the forest types 

common today give way to new mixes of species in the future. 

As forests disassemble and reassemble in response to global 

change, patterns are unlikely to match precisely the projections 

of suitable habitat developed by computer models due to slow 

migrations, lag times, the fragmented nature of remaining 

forests and surprises that nearly always occur. Human-driven 

climate change is generally faster than what forests have 

experienced over the past 120,000 years and some species 

will have difficulty keeping pace. Some of the factors that may 

limit their ability to track changing habitats are:

Reproduction and Recruitment Climate change may disrupt 

the critical synchronies between the timing of flowering, pollen 

availability and seed development of trees, and the life cycles 

of the animals that pollinate them and disperse their seeds.

Migration Rates Trees migrate slowly. DNA evidence 

suggests that the tree migrations that occurred after the last 

glaciations were much slower than what is needed to keep 

pace with current and projected climate change. It is likely 

that the movement of trees will lag behind the movement of 

climate zones where they currently live. How much behind, 

and whether this will trap them in unsuitable climates that will 

further slow their migration, is unknown.

Other Factors The actual future ranges of tree species and 

forest types are complicated by several factors that are 

not included in the current models. These include change 

in water tables, disturbance frequencies, nuisance pests 

and pathogens, and competition with native and exotic 

plants. For example, the increased abundance of woody 

vines that has been observed in temperate forests over the 

last few decades is apparently associated with increases in 

atmospheric CO2 (Dukes et al. 2009).The related decline in 

forest regeneration due to competition with vines makes 

future forest establishment, composition, and structure even 

less certain.
16 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

infl uence on forest composition over time. In the early Holocene, 12,000 years before the 

present, the climate was cool and spruce and jack pine woodlands were common on recently 

deglaciated lands. Th ree thousand years later, as temperatures warmed, white pine, oak, and 

eastern hemlock expanded their ranges. Th ree thousand years after that, as the climate became 

cooler and moister, fi re decreased and northern hardwoods such as beech and maple came to 

dominate the northern region, while oak, white pine, hickory, and birch became more prevalent 

in the south. Over the last 1,500 to 1,000 years, as the climate continued cool, white pine 

declined in abundance and boreal trees like spruce and fi r moved south.

While there is clear evidence that our forest trees can migrate with changing climate, past rates 

of migration have been slow. Most studies suggest that the historical rates of species movement 

are too slow to keep up with current and future climate change. Th is mismatch between 

relatively rapid changes in climate and the slower rate at which tree species migrate complicates 

the picture of how forests might adapt to climate change in the future.

Th ere is only limited evidence of tree species shifts in response to climate change during the past 

four decades. One study in Vermont showed that the composition of the forests on the western 

slopes of the Green Mountains had changed between 1964 and 2004, and as a result, the 

boundary between the northern hardwood forest and boreal forest had shifted upslope by 299 

to 390 feet (91 to 119 m) (Beckage et al. 2008). Th e authors suggested that climate warming 

contributed to this change. Other scientists have off ered alternative explanations including 

regional trends in land use, acid rain, and the associated depletion of soil calcium. Another 

study showed that northern tree species of the eastern United States were regenerating more 

successfully farther north in relation to their associated adult (i.e., seed source) trees (Woodall 

et al. 2009).  Th is fi nding suggests that these species are regenerating more successfully in 

the north than they used to. But, direct evidence of successful range expansion was not 

found. Ongoing inventorying, monitoring, and analysis will be critical to documenting and 

understanding future forest change.

Forest Composition: Projected Changes

Scientists forecast the impact of climate change on forest composition using a “climatic 

envelope” approach (Table 2). Th is is a three-step process. First, forest inventory data are 

examined to determine habitat conditions under which specifi c tree species currently grow. 

Second, climate models are used to project future habitat conditions. Th ird, the changes in 

Table 2.—The number of common tree species with projected changes in suitable 

habitat in 2100 under different emissions scenarios. Adapted from Mohan et al. 2009. The 

results are for the B1 low emissions scenario use the Parallel Climate Model and those 

for the A1FI high emissions use Hadley Climate Model. See Hayhoe et al. 2007 for details.

Scenario Species with 

decreased habitat

Species with habitat 

unchanged

Species with 

increased habitat

Low emissions (B1) 26 10 48

High emissions (A1Fl) 33 1 50

Ensemble of 8 scenarios 31 6 47
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 17

habitat conditions are used to forecast how the distribution of tree species and the composition 

of forests may change in the future. Th e result is typically a map of potential changes in suitable 

habitat for diff erent tree species and forest types (e.g., spruce-fi r, oak-hickory, and maple-beechbirch). Note that, while the climatic envelope approach forecasts the eventual change in tree 

distributions, it does not forecast how fast these changes will occur. Th e long life span of trees, 

the slowness with which they disperse, and the possibility that they may adapt genetically to 

changed climates all make it unclear how soon, if ever, the trees migrate to the places where the 

models say they should be. Our current models will have to become considerably more detailed 

before they can make predictions on the actual distribution of tree species in the future.

Suitable Habitat

Using a suite of four climate models and two emission scenarios together with a vegetation 

model called the Random Forests Model, scientists predicted changes in suitable habitat for 

84 common tree species in the Northeast (Iverson et al. 2008). Th e model draws on U.S. 

Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data from more than 100,000 plots in 

the northeastern United States and integrates seven climate variables, 22 soil variables, fi ve 

topography variables, and four land-use variables. Model results for the 84 tree species showed 

that suitable habitat is projected to increase for 47 species, decrease for 31 species, and remain 

unchanged for six species compared to current suitable habitat. Th e number of species that are 

projected to gain or lose ground under the two emissions scenarios is shown in Table 2. Th e 

results show that many ecologically and economically important species, such as sugar maple 

and balsam fi r, are likely to lose considerable suitable habitat. Oaks will generally do better, 

with the habitat for some oak species increasing as much as three times (Fig. 6).

Black oak

White oak

Big-tooth aspen

Quaking aspen

Striped maple

-100

0

100

200

300

333

286

-52 -60 -65 -66 -68 -72 -73 -80 -81 -87

Percent Change

Paper birch

Northern white ceda

Balsam fir

r

Yellow birch

Pin cherry

Beech

Red spruce

Figure 6.—The 12 tree species showing the largest projected changes in suitable habitat 

in 2100 under an average-high emissions scenario. Adapted from Mohan et al. 2009.
18 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Forest Types

Maps of projected changes in suitable habitat for several individual species were combined to 

produce forest habitat type maps for the region under diff erent emissions scenarios. Th ese were 

then compared to the current distribution of forest types as determined by FIA (Iverson et al. 

2008). Results indicate that in the future, only the lowest emissions scenario retains any sprucefi r habitat, and that oak-hickory forest habitat increases signifi cantly at the expense of the 

maple-beech-birch habitat in all scenarios (Fig. 7).

It is important to emphasize that maps of future forest types refl ect only habitat suitability and 

not necessarily where the trees will actually grow in response to climate change over the next 

100 years. Climate change will aff ect the reproduction, recruitment, migration, and genetic 

resilience of trees in unpredictable ways (Box 5). Scientists expect that forest change will lag 

behind suitable habitat change, and there will be signifi cant diff erences between the modeled 

and actual future forest composition. For example, while the habitat for oak and hickory forests 

is projected to increase greatly with climate change, most oaks and hickories presently have 

diffi culty regenerating. Consequently, it is projected that oak and hickories may take centuries 

to expand their ranges.

Forest Productivity: Observed Changes

Forest productivity is the net growth rate of a forest. It is important because it determines the 

rates at which forests can produce timber and sequester carbon. In ecology, forest productivity 

is usually measured as net primary productivity (NPP), the amount of biomass added to an 

area of forest over time, taking into consideration respiration, maintenance demands, and 

losses. Historical and paleoecological studies document the strong infl uence of climate on forest 

productivity in the Northeast. For example, a 400-year record of black spruce growth near the 

tree line in eastern Canada shows that modern trees are larger and more productive than similar 

trees of the same species that grew during colder conditions of the “Little Ice Age” (~1240 - 

1850 A.D.) (Vallee and Payette 2004).

Current Forest Types B1 Low-emissions Scenario A1Fl High-emission scenario

Spruce,fir

Maple, birch,

beech

Maple, birch,

beech Maple, birch,

beech

Elm, ash,

cottonwood

Mixed pine

Oak,pine

Oak, hickory

Oak-hickory

Loblolly &

shortleaf pines Oak, hickory

Loblolly &

shortleaf pines

Figure 7. —Current and projected suitable habitat for major forest types in New England under low and high emissions 

scenarios. See Figure 5 for details of the scenarios. Under the low emissions scenario, the conditions will favor maplebirch-beech forests, while under the high emissions scenario suggest that conditions they will favor oak-hickory forests. 

Adapted from Iverson et al. 2007.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 19

Research on modern forests shows that climate is aff ecting the timing of forest growth, and 

thus has the potential to aff ect productivity. With shorter winters, spring leaf-out is occurring 

earlier. For example, data from northern hardwood forests at the Hubbard Brook Experimental 

Forest in New Hampshire indicated signifi cantly earlier spring leaf-out and an increase in 

green canopy duration of about 10 days over a 47-year period (Richardson et al. 2006). In 

theory, the longer periods of growth should result in increased productivity. In fact, however, 

other stressors may limit the extent to which forests take advantage of the extended growing 

season. Several northern species, both hardwoods and conifers, have had periods of decline or 

lower productivity over the past 100 years (Mohan et al. 2009). In each case, climate played 

an important role in the decline, suggesting that future climate change may exacerbate the 

situation (Table 3).

Forest Productivity: Projected Changes

Model projections suggest that forest productivity for individual hardwood species is likely to be 

enhanced in the future by warmer temperatures and increased concentrations of carbon dioxide 

(CO2) in the atmosphere. However, it is not clear whether these modeled gains will be realized 

across the landscape and/or whether they can be sustained. Other stresses, particularly altered 

winter freeze-thaw cycles, increased drought and fi re potential, air pollution, and heightened 

vulnerability to pests and disease, can reduce productivity. Th ese stresses are diffi cult to fully 

capture in forest models. In the case of spruce-fi r forests, models predict a decline under both 

low and high emission scenarios. Th e eff ects of additional stressors are likely to make the decline 

worse.

Scientists have used a model called PnET-CN to predict changes in NPP over the next 100 

years (Ollinger et al. 2008). Results suggest that the productivity of deciduous forests will 

increase by 52 percent to 250 percent by 2100, depending on the global change model and 

CO2 emissions scenario used. Results further suggest that growth enhancements associated 

with CO2 fertilization may be nearly equal to or greater than the eff ects of climate change (i.e., 

Box 5: Forest Composition: Do Species Matter?

Climate-driven changes in forest composition have 

implications for the economic and ecological future of the 

Northeast. What are the potential consequences of species 

shifts on important ecosystem services, such as providing 

clear water, clean air, or wildlife habitat? Do individual 

species, or mixes of species, matter as long as there are 

still trees growing vigorously across the landscape? The 

function and effects of individual tree species within a forest 

type are not well understood. The eastern hemlock provides 

one example of the implications of changes in species 

composition within a forest. As a result of an introduced 

pest, the hemlock wooly adelgid, hemlock stands are being 

replaced by hardwood stands across large areas of the 

Northeast. This major disturbance provides a glimpse of what 

the cascade of effects might look like as tree species shift in 

response to global change.

Hemlock forests of the Northeast lose 50 percent less 

moisture to the atmosphere through transpiration during 

summer than do nearby hardwoods stands with similar 

leaf area. The loss of hemlock and resulting increase in 

transpiration could lead to diminished flows in small streams 

and reduced aquatic habitat for salamanders and aquatic 

invertebrates of conservation concern (Ellison et al. 2005).

Many hardwood tree species allow more sunlight to reach the 

forest floor than hemlocks. The loss of hemlock and resulting 

increase in incoming solar radiation could result in higher 

stream temperatures with detrimental effects on sensitive 

coldwater species such as brook trout.

Several species of mammals, as well as the colorful 

Blackburnian warbler, are associated with hemlock forests. 

The loss of hemlock will significantly diminish the habitat for 

these animals.
20 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

extended growing seasons, warmer temperatures) alone. Th e results for spruce-fi r forests are 

diff erent. Th e model suggests that the productivity of spruce-fi r forests will decline, regardless of 

the CO2 eff ect (Ollinger et al. 2008).

An application of the PnET-CN model to the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest shows 

similar results (Box 6). Because the potential fertilizing eff ects of CO2 were not incorporated 

into the model when this study was done, the productivity gains are less.

Confounding Factors

While extended growing seasons and the potential fertilization eff ect of CO2 should enhance 

forest productivity over the next century, there are several major confounding factors that could 

work against this benefi cial response. Th ese include the following:

Competition Competition between tree species is likely to increase as suitable habitat 

shifts to favor more southern species and some forest types begin to replace others. 

Most models calculate productivity for “current-day” forest types and do not account 

for the impact of competition as forest types disassemble and reassemble.

Table 3.—Tree decline and associated climate factors. A review of decline episodes for fi ve different 

tree species in the Northeast indicates that there have been important associations with changes in 

climate and weather-related conditions which may be further exacerbated as climate changes in the 

future. Adapted from Mohan 2009.

Species/

Group

History Role of Climate Other Factors References

Birch Widespread declines 

since 1944

Maps of birch decline 

areas coincide with areas 

of experiencing extended 

winter thaw cycles

None Balch 1944

Bourque et al. 2005

Braathe 1995

Sugar 

maple

26 widespread decline 

episodes between 

1912 and 1986 

Prolonged thaw-freeze 

events and associated 

fi ne root damage have 

been implicated in sugar 

maple decline

Insects, disease, 

loss of soil nutrients

Millers et al 1989 

Bertrand et al. 1994

Decker et al. 2003

Fitzhugh et al. 2003

Oak Large areas of oak 

mortality recorded in 

New England and the 

Appalachian Mountains 

in the early 1900s

Drought stresses 

have been reported 

as important initiating 

factors in oak decline. 

Insects, secondary 

pathogens

Millers et al. 1989

Ash Widespread dieback 

in the Northeast 

since 1920

Drought and freezing 

damage have been 

identifi ed as inciting 

factors, with drought 

playing a particularly 

important role

Phytoplasmal 

disease, Asian beetle, 

emerald ash borer

Millers et al. 1989

Poland and 

McCullough 2006

Red

spruce

Widespread decline 

through the Northeast 

after 1960, increasing 

over the last few 

decades

Reduced cold tolerance 

leads to winter injury 

which is intensifi ed 

rapid rates of thaw and 

subsequent exposure to 

refreezing

Acid deposition, 

anomalous weather

Friedland et al. 

1984

Johnson 1992

Schaberg and 

DeHayes 2000

Bourque et al. 2005
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 21

Nuisance Species Climate change in the Northeast is likely to lead to increased exposure 

and susceptibility to invasive species, pests, and pathogens. Invasive species may have a 

negative eff ect on plant productivity if individual trees face increased competition from 

nonnative plants and woody vines. Pests and pathogens, such as the hemlock adelgid or 

pine blister rust, are already having major eff ects on forest productivity in the United 

States and Canada, and climate change is likely to increase their impact. (For more on 

nuisance species, see page 32).

Drought Increased evapotranspiration and decreased soil moisture are likely to 

exacerbate summertime drying and contribute to drought-induced plant stress and 

decreases in productivity and survival.

Air Pollution Air-borne pollutants can change productivity and infl uence how trees 

respond to climate change. Some of the most important pollutants in the Northeast 

include ground-level ozone, acids, and nitrogen compounds.

Box 6 Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest—

Climate Change Case Study

To evaluate how forest ecosystems in the Northeast could 

respond to climate change, downscaled climate projections 

were developed for the Hubbard Brook Experimental 

Forest using two climate models, each run under highemission and low-emission scenarios (550 and 970 ppmv, 

respectively). The models projected temperature increases 

of 3.2 to 14.8 °F (1.8 to 8.2 °C) by the end of the century, 

consistent with trends for the broader Northeast region. 

Substantial increases in annual precipitation occurred 

under all scenarios, with increases generally greater during 

winter months. Streamflows did not change much because 

increases in precipitation were offset by increases in 

transpiration.

The climate projections were then used in the PnET-BGC 

forest ecosystem model to predict changes in forest 

productivity, nutrient dynamics, and water quality. As in 

regional analyses, the combination of higher air temperatures 

and greater precipitation resulted in a longer growing season 

and increased forest productivity. The estimated productivity 

gains at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest were less than 

in the regional analysis because the benefits of potential CO2

fertilization were not taken into account. The overall results 

for 1999 to 2099 was an increase in net primary productivity 

(NPP) of 8 percent under the low emission scenario, and 

of 15 percent under the high emission scenario. Wood 

production increased by 34 percent to 70 percent, dominating 

the NPP response. Root and foliage production declined 

slightly.

The water quality of streams that drain forested watersheds 

reflects the upslope nutrient cycling. The Hubbard Brook 

model predicted increases of 16 percent to 34 percent in 

nitrogen mineralization. These increased the nitrification rates 

and doubled the release of nitrate to streamwater (Fig. 8). The 

increased nitrate release would convert the Hubbard Brook 

forest ecosystem from one that retains nitrogen to one that 

exhibits nitrogen loss. It may also make streams even more 

acidic and increase the export of nitrogen to coastal waters 

where it could contribute to eutrophication.

Streamwater nitrate (kg per ha-yr) 100

75

50

1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100

low emission

scenario

high emission

scenario

observations

Figure 8.—Measured and 

predicted nitrate export in 

streamwater at the Hubbard 

Brook Experimental Forest 

The leaching of nitrate 

from forest soils to streams 

is projected to increase 

markedly under a high 

emissions scenario. Adapted 

from Campbell et al. 2009.
22 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Ozone Ground-level ozone can damage plant tissue and decrease photosynthesis. 

Studies suggest that ozone damage can off set CO2-induced gains in productivity and 

make trees more vulnerable to other stresses (e.g., McLaughlin et al. 2007). Ozone 

levels, which are already high in the Northeast, may increase with climate change as 

plants produce more volatile organic compounds, which then react with nitrogen 

oxides to produce ozone.

Acid Deposition Acid deposition already occurs across the Northeast and may increase, 

especially in high elevation forests, if climate change produces more cloud cover and 

precipitation. Acidic deposition can impair nutrient availability, reduce reproductive 

success and frost hardiness, cause physical damage to leaf surfaces, and increase 

susceptibility to decline.

Nitrogen Deposition Nitrogen is an essential nutrient, but too much nitrogen can 

mobilize acids and damage forests. Just what the potential impacts of elevated nitrogen 

deposition in a changing climate will be remain unclear. Some research suggests that 

nitrogen deposition could help off set natural nitrogen limitations that will persist in the 

future. Other studies suggest that these limitations will not be important because rising 

CO2 may allow increased plant nitrogen uptake and increased nitrogen-use effi ciency.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 23

HOW IS BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING IN NORTHEAST 

FORESTS CHANGING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE?

Summary

Biogeochemical cycling or “nutrient cycling” refers to the movement of elements through 

soils, plants, surface waters, and the atmosphere. Evidence suggests that climate change will 

alter biogeochemical cycling in Northeast forests with potentially profound eff ects on forest 

productivity, water quality, and other ecosystem services.

Nutrient Cycling: Observed Changes

Climate change can aff ect nutrient cycling directly though its impact on temperature and 

precipitation, or indirectly through its impacts on forest composition, growing season length, 

and the water cycle. Th ese eff ects can occur on time scales ranging from minutes to millennia. 

Changes in microbial activity, for example, are nearly instantaneous. Changes in forest 

composition can take centuries, and changes in soils may take millennia. Figure 3 depicts these 

eff ects and highlights feedbacks that may further infl uence climate change eff ects on forest 

ecosystems at diff erent time scales.

Several recent studies show how climate change may alter the cycling of forest nutrients 

(reviewed in Campbell et al. 2009). Th ese studies suggest that, as climate warms, greenhouse 

gases will be released from soils, the availability of important nutrients will change, and the 

water quality in sensitive watersheds will decrease.

Release of Greenhouse Gases from Warmer Soils

Climate-induced changes in nutrient cycling can enhance the release of heat-trapping 

greenhouse gases from soils and thus accelerate climate warming. Th ese changes are potentially 

important. Soils contain large and dynamic pools of carbon, and even small changes in these 

large pools could generate substantial feedbacks to climate warming.

One way this could happen is if the warming of soil increases rates of soil respiration, which is 

the combined respiration of plant roots and soil microbes. Soil respiration is a key ecosystem 

process that releases CO2 from the soil, and hence a key component of the global carbon 

budget. On the global scale, soil respiration is the second largest component of the global 

carbon budget, trailing only photosynthesis, and thus even a small increase in soil respiration 

could equal or exceed the amount of carbon released each year by land use change and fossil fuel 

combustion combined (Rustad et al. 2001).

Soil respiration rates are strongly infl uenced by temperature and moisture. Soil warming 

experiments from Howland Forest (ME), Huntington Forest (NY), and Harvard Forest (MA) 

showed at least short-term increases in soil respiration with a 9 °F (5 °C) rise in soil temperature 

(Rustad et al. 1996). Similar results have been reported for 8 out of 14 other ecosystem 

warming studies surveyed (Rustad et al. 2001). Taken together, these studies provide strong 

evidence that an increase in temperature will measurably increase the release of carbon from the 

soil through soil respiration, at least in the short term.
24 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

In addition to eff ects on CO2, climate-induced changes in soil dynamics could aff ect the 

release of other greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) that are 

less abundant but more potent than carbon dioxide. Depending on how wet they are, soils 

can be either a source or sink for CH4. Most wetland soils release CH4 to the atmosphere and 

most well drained forest soils absorb it. In the three soil-warming experiments mentioned 

above, which were in well drained soils, the rates of CH4 uptake changed little. In wetland 

soils, which account for approximately 24 percent of global CH4 emissions (IPCC 2007), fi eld 

observations show that warming generally increases CH4 emissions (Chapman and Th urlow 

1996, Christensen et al. 2003).

Soils are the primary source of N2O to the atmosphere, and warming could potentially 

infl uence its emission rate. Th e evidence, however, is mixed. In the warming experiments at the 

Harvard and Huntington Forests, increases in temperature alone had no signifi cant eff ect on 

the release of N2O from forest soils (McHale et al. 1998, Peterjohn et al. 1994). However, in 

another experiment at the Huntington Forest, a combination of warmer and wetter conditions 

resulted in much higher rates of N2O loss in heated plots compared to control plots (McHale 

et al. 1998). In a diff erent kind of climate change experiment at Hubbard Brook, Groff man et 

al. (2008) experimentally reduced snow pack to simulate future conditions. Th e loss of snow 

as insulation, paradoxically, resulted in colder soils, induced mild soil freezing, and resulted 

in signifi cantly higher rates of N2O release the following summer (Groff man et al. 2006). Th e 

authors attributed this increase to the physical disruption of the soil ecosystem rather than the 

stimulation of activity by soil microbes.

Changes in Nutrient Availability

Th e productivity and integrity of forest ecosystems is linked to the supply of nutrients. Climate 

change can infl uence nutrient dynamics by altering the rate of litter decomposition, the leaching 

of key nutrients from the soil, and the uptake of nutrients and water by fi ne roots and symbiotic 

fungi.

Litter Decomposition Th e decomposition of leaf litter contributes to the formation of 

soil organic matter and the release of vital nutrients that can be taken up by plants. Th e 

eff ects of warming on rates of litter decomposition were studied in two soil-warming 

experiments in the northeastern United States: one in a low-elevation spruce-fi r stand 

at the Howland Forest, ME (Rustad and Fernandez 1998) and the other in an even-age 

mixed-hardwood stand at the Huntington Forest near Newcomb, NY (McHale et al. 

1998). Th ese and other experimental soil-warming studies (Rustad et al. 1996) suggest 

that a 5 oF to 9 oF (3 to 5 °C) increase in mean annual soil temperature can increase 

decomposition rates for most hardwood litter and, to a lesser extent, the decomposition 

rate of red spruce litter. Th e released nutrients can be taken up and recycled by forest 

vegetation, or leached from soils to streams and lakes.

Leaching of Nitrogen from Soils Nitrogen is a basic element that is fundamental to 

the growth of plants. In the Northeast, nitrogen limits forest growth under most 

conditions. Too much nitrogen, however, can have detrimental eff ects on soil, trees, 
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 25

and surface waters. Taken together, nitrogen pollution and climate-induced changes 

in nitrogen cycling have the potential to cause profound shifts in nitrogen dynamics 

of Northeast forests. Evidence from both empirical studies and simulation modeling 

suggests that both the faster organic matter decomposition in warmer soils and the 

more frequent soil freezing events associated with reduced snow coverage can accelerate 

nitrogen losses from Northeast forests. One way this may happen is by eff ects on the 

process of “nitrifi cation”, or the production of nitrate by soil microbes. Once nitrogen 

is converted to nitrate, it is subject to leaching from soils to surface waters. Th is 

acidifi es the soil and enriches the receiving surface waters in streams and lakes. Several 

soil-warming experiments across the region showed a general increase in nitrifi cation of 

up to 50 percent with increasing temperature (Rustad et al. 2001). Soil freeze events, 

which are projected to become more common with less snow coverage, have also been 

linked to increases soil nitrate leaching (Fitzhugh et al. 2001). Th is process can result in 

spring pulses of nitrate in stream water (Likens and Bormann 1995).

Leaching of Base Cations from Soils Base cations, particularly calcium and magnesium, 

are important nutrients that help buff er acidic inputs and support forest growth. Th e 

supply of soil calcium is particularly important in northeastern North America because 

acidic deposition can deplete exchangeable soil calcium and other base cations from 

forest soils (Fernandez et al. 2003). Climate warming and increased rainfall has the 

potential to accelerate the rate of base cation loss from soils. Warming-induced longer 

growing seasons, especially combined with higher growth rates and the potential shift 

from conifers to hardwoods, may increase the annual calcium and magnesium uptake 

by forest vegetation. Th e increasing amount and intensity of precipitation plus the 

potential increases in the infi ltration of water into the soil in winter may result in 

increasing rates of soil leaching and the cumulative loss of soil calcium and magnesium. 

Model results indicate that increases in base cation leaching are linked with elevated 

nitrate leaching (Campbell et al. 2009).

Plant Uptake of Nutrients and Water by Roots Trees have extensive networks of fi ne 

roots which provide a large surface area for water and nutrient exchange with the soil. 

Many symbiotic fungi, including many common woodland mushrooms, are associated 

with roots. Because of their central role in water and nutrient cycling, fi ne roots and 

their associated fungi will play a pivotal role in determining how forests respond to 

climate change. Evidence from several experimental manipulations suggests that climate 

change will alter the dynamics of fi ne roots (Arft et al. 1999, Burton et al. 1998). 

Palatova (2002), for example, showed that a 60 percent reduction in precipitation 

plus the addition of nitrogen, at the rate of 89 lbs of nitrogen per acre per year (100 

kg nitrogen per hectare per year), resulted in a 30 percent decline in fi ne root biomass 

after 2 years of treatment in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand. An experiment at 

Hubbard Brook suggested that soil freezing associated with reduced winter snow cover 

can kill fi ne roots (Tierney et al. 2001). Decreased growth and increased mortality 

of fi ne roots can reduce nutrient uptake and cause elevated leaching of nitrogen and 

phosphorous to surface waters (Fitzhugh et al. 2001).
26 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Change in Water Quality

Th e water quality of streams that drain forested watersheds refl ects the chemical impacts of 

upslope changes in nutrient cycling. As outlined in the case study in Box 6 , simulations for 

Hubbard Brook indicated that climate change over the next century could double the release of 

nitrate into streamwater. Th is could make streams more acidic and degrade water quality.

Main branch of Hubbard Brook. Photo by Hubbard Brook Research Foundation.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 27

HOW IS WILDLIFE IN NORTHEAST FORESTS RESPONDING 

TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

Summary

Climate aff ects wildlife through changes in the quality and distribution of habitat, the 

availability of food, the abundance of parasites and diseases, and the incidence of stress from 

heat and drought. Ecological specialists and animals whose populations are already declining 

due to other stressors will be most vulnerable. Species with restricted ranges, species restricted to 

a single habitat, and species with small isolated populations will be particularly at risk, and are 

most likely to be aff ected by the smallest amount of change. In recent decades, climate change 

has already aff ected the distribution and abundance of many species. For example, detailed 

historical information indicates that the ranges of many bird species are already changing and 

that there will be substantial gains and losses in the future, predominantly among migratory 

bird species, under both high and low emissions scenarios.

Native Wildlife

Climate aff ects the native wildlife of forests in the Northeast at all levels of organization, from 

the physiology of individual animals to changes at the population level. Given the wide range 

of potential impacts, scientists often focus on specifi c taxa such as mammals, amphibians, 

insects, and birds. Our best evidence of climate change impacts on wildlife comes from longterm studies of birds, and we focus on them in this section. Potential eff ects on mammals, 

amphibians, and insects will also be discussed.

Birds: Observed Changes

Birds, more than any other taxonomic group, have been the focus of climate change research 

in the Northeast. Th ese studies draw from decades of bird surveys and indicate there have 

been measureable changes in the timing of key events such as migration, the distribution and 

abundance of species, and the amount and quality of habitat for forest birds in the Northeast.

Timing of Key Events and Abundance Migratory birds are arriving earlier and breeding 

earlier in response to recent climate change (e.g., Waite and Strickland 2006). It is 

unknown how this will aff ect reproduction rates and survival and therefore the overall 

size of these bird populations.

Abundance In addition to changes in timing, many bird species have recently increased 

or decreased their abundance. Among resident birds (i.e., those that remain in the 

Northeast year round), 15 of 25 species that were studied are increasing in abundance, 

which might be expected if abundance was limited by winter climate. Five of the ten 

remaining species (including many highly valued species such as ruff ed grouse) are 

declining in abundance, and the other fi ve show no detectable trends. In contrast to 

the residents, the short-distance migrants and neotropical migrants show no overall 

trends in abundance: the number of increasing species is roughly equal to the number 

of decreasing species in each group.
28 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Range expansion Northward range expansions are occurring in many species. For 

example, 27 of 38 bird species of northeastern forests for which historical data exist 

have expanded their ranges predominantly in a northward direction. Of the 27 species 

expanding northward, 15 are neotropical migrants, six are short-distance migrants, 

and four are residents. Th ese northward migrations are consistent with climate change, 

and in fact correlate well with regional climate (Rahbeck et al. 2007). Th ey could also 

be caused by nonclimatic factors such as changing land use and forest cover, winter 

bird feeding, or provision of nest boxes. However, most of these nonclimatic factors 

are occurring throughout the region and therefore cannot explain the strong pattern 

of predominantly northward range shifts. Climate change thus appears the most 

convincing explanation for the observed shifts.

Habitat change Birds that depend on high elevation spruce-fi r forests and cooler 

temperatures are uniquely susceptible to climate change. High elevation spruce-fi r habitat 

covers less than 1 percent of the Northeast's landscape and most bird species breeding in 

this habitat are listed as of conservation concern (Rodenhouse et al. 2008).

Birds: Projected Changes

Climate exerts both direct and indirect eff ects on birds. Direct eff ects, such as late spring 

storms, may kill migrating birds. Indirect eff ects include changes in habitat quality from 

alterations in food supplies or shifts in vegetation composition and structure. Statistical models 

can predict how the distribution and abundance of bird species might shift in response to 

changing climate and habitat. As with the tree models described earlier, these are climatic 

envelope models. Th e models fi rst develop associations between the abundance of each species 

of bird to habitat variables such as climate, elevation, and the abundance of specifi c tree species 

(Matthews et al. 2004). Climate models are then used to predict how the climate will change 

under a specifi c emission scenario, and envelope models are used to predict how the tree 

species will change. Th e changed climate and habitat variables are then used to calculate how 

abundance of each bird species will change. Th e results of climatic envelope modeling for the 

Northeast indicate major changes in bird distributions and abundances (Rodenhouse et al. 

2008). Th e warmer the projected climate, the greater the change.

Th e changes include both increases and decreases (Table 4). Th e decreases involved both 

decreases in abundance and decreases in the area in which the species is found; typically 

the changes in abundance are greater than the changes in area. Th is is consistent with the 

Table 4.—Number of bird species projected to change their abundance and range between 2000 

and 2100. Emissions scenarios as in Fig. 5. Adapted from Rodenhouse et al. 2008. 

Scenario Abundance 

declining

Abundance 

unchanged

Abundance 

increasing

Range 

declining

Range 

unchanged

Range 

increasing

Low emissions (B1) 60 22 68 33 60 57

Average-high (A2) 56 27 67 32 62 56

High emissions 

(A1Fl)

38 48 48 15 94 41
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 29

understanding that although most bird species can tolerate a relatively wide range in climate, 

elevation, and vegetative composition, they reach their peak abundance only in a narrow range 

of habitats.

Projected shifts in abundance vary among bird species of diff erent migratory habits (Table 5). 

For resident species, twice as many are expected to increase in abundance as decrease. For 

short-distance migrants, about twice as many are projected to decline in abundance as expand. 

Among neotropical migrants, an equal number are expected to increase as decrease.

Th ese broad trends do not tell the whole story, however. Th e models suggest that many 

common and culturally important species will decrease. Th ese include the ruff ed grouse and 

black-capped chickadee among the residents; the iconic Baltimore oriole and hermit thrush 

among the short-distance migrants; and the colorful Blackburnian warbler and rose-breasted 

grosbeak and mellifl uous wood thrush and veery among the long distant migrants.

Th e predicted changes vary with geography (Fig. 9; Rodenhouse et al. 2008). Maine and New 

Hampshire have suffi cient areas of suitable habitat and may see large increases in bird species 

richness (a measure of the diversity of the community). In contrast, the southern portion of the 

Northeast, particularly Pennsylvania and western New York, may see large decreases in species 

richness.

Habitat also matters. Habitats with many ecological specialists, such as wetlands and high 

elevation forests, are likely to have signifi cant losses of their characteristic species (Rodenhouse 

et al. 2008, 2009). For example, the models suggest that more than 50 percent of wetland 

bird species, including the common loon and American bittern, could become less common 

in the northeast as a result of habitat changes (Rodenhouse et al. 2000). Birds that breed in 

high elevation spruce-fi r forests are uniquely susceptible to climate change because of the 

limited opportunity to shift to new locations. Th is habitat type covers less than 1 percent of the 

Northeast and is projected to essentially disappear from the region by the end of the century 

under the high emissions scenario. Th e majority of bird species breeding in this habitat are 

presently listed in one or more of the northeastern states and Canadian provinces as in need of 

conservation. In the case of the Bicknell’s thrush, the most intensively studied high elevation 

forest bird in the Northeast, a geographic information system (GIS) model (Lambert et al. 

2005) projects the loss of half the suitable habitat available to Bicknell’s thrush with even a 1.8 

oF (1 °C) change in mean annual temperature (Rodenhouse et al. 2008).

Table 5—Projected changes in bird abundance by 2100 by migratory habit. Emissions scenarios as in Fig. 5. 

Adapted from Rodenhouse et al. 2008.

Neotropical Migrants Temperate Migrants Residents

Scenario Declining Stable Increasing Declining Stable Increasing Declining Stable Increasing

Low emissions 

(B1) 15 27 21 17 21 3 33 60 57

High emissions 

(A1Fl) 30 8 25 21 11 9 32 62 56
30 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Mammals

Climate change aff ects mammals through direct thermal stress, shifts in habitat and food 

availability, increases in parasites and diseases, and responses to extreme weather events. Two 

species, little brown bat and moose, provide examples of animals that may be impacted by 

climate change. Th e little brown bat is vulnerable to changes in food resources and hibernation 

conditions, whereas moose will be challenged by heat stress, vegetation change, and parasites.

Little brown bat Small mammals with high energy demands, such as bats, may be 

particularly vulnerable to changes in the food supply. Small bats of the Northeast feed 

almost exclusively on fl ying insects, and especially on insects with aquatic larval stages. 

Climate change may infl uence the availability of these insects by altering precipitation, 

stream fl ow, and soil moisture. Th e availability of food infl uences bat reproduction 

and survival, particularly during hibernation. Bats do not feed during hibernation, 

and must store enough energy to survive until the insects emerge in the spring. Th e 

optimum hibernation temperature is 37 °F (2 °C). Winter temperatures higher or lower 

than the optimum cause a sharp increase in energy use. It is possible that, as winters 

warm, bats will experience less stress as their hibernation periods shortens. But, since 

periods of arousal deplete energy stores, the number of times bats are aroused infl uence 

their survival. If little brown bats are aroused more often in warmer winters, they may 

not be able to store enough energy to survive (Humphries et al. 2004).

Moose Large mammals such as moose may be aff ected by climate change in diff erent 

ways than small mammals such as bats. Moose are well adapted to cold temperatures 

and intolerant of heat. Th is is true both in summer and winter. Th eir respiration rates 

(and energy demands) increase when temperatures exceed 57 °F (14 °C) in summer 

and 23 °F (-5.1 °C) in winter (Renecker and Hudson 1986). In addition, during hot 

summers they reduce food intake and can lose body weight. Warming temperatures 

could shift the lower latitudinal range limit of moose northwards, excluding moose 

from southern areas of the Northeast. In addition, reductions in snow depth associated 

with winter warming may bring moose into more contact with white-tailed deer which 

Species lost

per block

Species gained

per block

Current species

per block

70 80 90 100 110 124 0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 50

Figure 9.—Projected gains and losses in bird species richness across the Northeast under high 

emissions scenario. Each 20 km by 20 km grid square will lose some species (in red) and gain others 

(in green). Maine and northern New Hampshire are projected to show a net increase in species richness 

as range restrictions lift under a warming climate. The southwestern part of the region is projected to 

show a substantial net loss in species richness as northern species decline. Results are shown for the 

A1Fl scenario, Fig. 5. Adapted from Rodenhouse et al. 2008.
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 31

carry a brain parasite (a meningeal parasite) that can be lethal to moose. Deer avoid 

areas with permanent heavy snow covers, which were the traditional habitat of moose. 

As snow depth declines with climate change, moose and deer habitat may increasingly 

overlap, and more moose may die from the brain parasite.

Amphibians

All amphibians in the Northeast require moist habitats, and so all are potentially sensitive to the 

changes in temperature and precipitation associated with climate change. One study suggests 

that amphibians are already responding, with some species calling 10 to 13 days earlier than 

they were at the beginning of the 20th century (Gibbs and Breisch 2001).

Because most amphibians of the Northeast breed in water, the habitat factor most critical to 

amphibians is the hydroperiod (the period of time that there is standing water) of ephemeral 

ponds. Th e increase in evaporation and frequency of drought associated with climate warming 

can signifi cantly shorten the hydroperiods and reduce the volumes of ponds (Brooks 2004). Th e 

shortened hydroperiod can increase competition, decrease size at metamorphosis, and kill larvae 

as ponds dry out.

Warmer and dryer climates will impact amphibians in other ways. Negative impacts are 

likely. For example, terrestrial salamanders may experience increased mortality from decreased 

moisture levels and reduced eff ectiveness of anti-predator tactics, and stream-dwelling 

salamanders may suff er from decreased stream fl ow and lowered soil moisture. But positive 

eff ects are also possible. Warmer winter temperatures may improve the overwinter survival 

of some species. While it is clear that some local amphibian populations in the Northeast are 

responding to climate change, more research will be essential to assess the overall risk that 

climate change poses to amphibian populations across the region.

Insects

Insects are important to overall biological diversity and comprise the base of many food 

webs. Climate change has been linked to shifts in insect ranges through expansion into new 

areas and extirpation from areas where they formerly existed. Th is has been best documented 

for butterfl ies. For example, of 35 species of nonmigratory European butterfl ies, 63 percent 

shifted their ranges to the north during the 20th century and only 3 percent expanded south 

(Parmesan et al. 1999). No similar study has been done in the Northeast. However, fi eld work 

suggests that southern species such as the giant swallowtail, white M hairstreak, and red-banded 

hairstreak, and the sachem already appear to be expanding northward into the region (Wagner 

2007), and models predict that northern species such as the Atlantis fritillary and arctic skipper 

will eventually be extirpated.

Insects enter into many ecological relationships with plants and other animals, and changes in 

these relationships could be of great consequence. Of particular importance would be changes 

in plant-herbivore, predator-prey, parasite-host, and pollinator-plant relationships. For example, 

pollinating insects are vital to the reproduction of fl owering plants and climate change has 

been linked to declining pollinator abundance (NAS 2007). Th e presence and strength of such 

interactions in the Northeast should be the focus of future research.
32 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

HOW ARE NUISANCE SPECIES OF NORTHEAST FORESTS 

RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

Summary

Pests, pathogens, and invasive plants are already among the leading causes of disturbance 

to forests of North America and may become more severe as climate changes. Reviews of 

the known biological responses of six nuisance species predict that fi ve will become more 

widespread, more abundant, or have more severe impacts in Northeast forests as the climate 

changes (Table 6). Th e increase in the severity and expanded range of nuisance species will 

likely add to the stress that forest ecosystems will face in the next century.

Forest Pests: Observed and Projected Changes

Outbreaks of forest insect pests such as the Asian longhorned beetle, hemlock woolly adelgid, 

and forest tent caterpillar are of great ecological importance. Th ey can reduce the vitality of trees 

and damage foliage, resulting in widespread tree mortality. Tree mortality can aff ect surface 

water quality and wildlife populations.

Climate change will likely reduce mortality of many pest species and can lead to expansions 

and outbreaks. Projected reductions in the frequency and intensity of extremely cold 

temperatures is especially important, as it will increase winter survival and allow many insects 

to expand their range northward. Already, extreme minimum temperatures have increased 

by 5.9 °F (3.3 °C) in the southeastern United States between 1960 and 2004, and outbreaks 

of southern pine beetle have extended northward by about 200 km, matching climate-based 

predictions (Tran et al. 2007).

Case Study: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Th e case of the hemlock woolly adelgid provides useful insights into the potential response of 

forest insect pests in the Northeast. Th e adelgid is an introduced aphid-like insect from Japan 

that feeds on and kills eastern hemlock. In the past 10 years, the adelgid has infested many 

hemlock stands in the southern part of the Northeast. If it continues to expand northward, it 

may produce a range-wide decline in, or possible elimination of, this important tree species.

Th e northerly spread and ultimate range of the adelgid will likely be controlled by the severity, 

duration, and timing of minimum winter temperatures. Currently, the adelgid is restricted to 

Table 6.—Modeled responses of six nuisance species to climate warming. 

Impact refers to the severity of impact within the three species range. 

Adapted from Dukes et al 2009.

Range Impact Confi dence

Hemlock woolly adelgid + + high

Tent caterpillar + or 0 unknown medium

Root rot 0 + medium

Beech bark disease + unknown medium

Oriental bittersweet + 0 low

Glossy buckthorn 0 0 low
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 33

areas where minimum winter temperatures stay above -20 °F (-29 °C). In a study of 36 sites 

across the Northeast, adelgid mortality was positively correlated with latitude and minimum 

temperatures recorded per site. Its cold hardiness also depends on time of year; the insects lose 

their ability to tolerate cold as the winter progresses (Skinner et al. 2003). Th us not only the 

severity but the timing of cold events is critical. If warming occurs as predicted, milder winters 

may remove the current limits to the adelgid’s range, and increased survival and fecundity may 

result in larger populations.

Forest Pathogens: Observed and Projected Changes

Forest pathogens such as Dutch elm disease, beech bark disease, and Armillaria root rot can 

have adverse impacts on forest structure and species composition, and alter ecosystem function. 

Pathogens commonly benefi t from increases in temperature and precipitation, and are generally 

adaptable, suggesting that the impact of forest pathogens may increase in the next few decades.

Forest pathogens may be fungal, viral, or bacterial. Th e fungi are the best known. Fungal 

pathogens can survive and remain infective over a wide range of temperatures. However, the 

conditions that favor epidemic growth for most fungal pathogens are constrained to within 

a band of a few degrees Celcius. Less is known about viral or bacterial sensitivity to climate 

in forest systems, but infection and transmission rates seem to vary with temperature and 

moisture. Higher minimum winter temperatures may favor the winter survival of some; 

decreased snow cover may increase their exposure to lower temperatures. Increased rainfall 

will favor many forest pathogens by enhancing spore production and dispersal by rain splash. 

But the infectivity of some, such as powdery mildew, is decreased by high moisture, and so the 

increased frequency of summer drought will favor some pathogens and be a challenge to others.

Th e genetic adaptability of forest pathogens will be important under changing climate conditions. 

Th e generation times of pathogens are much shorter than those of their tree hosts, allowing 

them to respond faster as the climate changes. Th eory predicts that an introduced pathogen that 

has encountered a novel host and is undergoing sustained population growth should exhibit a 

more rapid evolutionary response to changing environmental conditions than a native pathogen 

(Brasier 1995). If introduced pathogens can take advantage of changing environmental 

conditions in this way, it could have major impacts on tree health and survivorship.

Case Study: Armillaria Root Rot

Armillaria is a common root and tree butt pathogen. It is currently widespread in eastern 

deciduous forests. Typically, it is a secondary pathogen, killing only weakened or stressed hosts. 

As such it contributes to structural diversity, provides habitat for wildlife and microbes, and aids 

in the recycling of nutrients. Since Armillaria is already well established across the Northeast, 

the eff ects of climate change on its further dispersal are of minor interest. What is of concern is 

how it will respond as forest trees are stressed by climate. For example, it is possible that higher 

annual temperatures, especially during winter months, will allow Armillaria to remain active for 

more of the year. Higher summer temperatures coupled with more frequent and severe drought 

may allow Armillaria to increase its colonization of live hosts, especially where additional 

stresses like insect defoliation are present. Th ese possibilities suggest that Armillaria may both 

expand its range and become more aggressive as the climate changes (Dukes et al. 2009).
34 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

Invasive Plants: Observed and Projected Changes

Th e introduction of invasive plants such as Norway maple, garlic mustard and oriental 

bittersweet has been aff ecting Northeast forests for over a century. While dozens of introduced 

species occur in forests, the greatest impacts have come from a 

suite of about 10 fruit-bearing shrubs and vines. Japanese barberry, 

European honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, and the two European 

buckthorns are among the most common. Th ey have greatly modifi ed 

forest understories in the Northeast, particularly in young or overbrowsed or physically disturbed forests. Th ey typically form dense 

thickets, eff ectively eliminating tree regeneration and reducing native 

understory shrub and herb diversity.

Th ese introduced shrubs and vines have multiple impacts. Th ey may 

alter soil chemistry (Japanese barberry; Ehrenfeld et al. 2001), reduce 

plant diversity and native butterfl y populations (garlic mustard; 

Stinson et al. 2006), and choke native saplings and trees (oriental 

bittersweet; Steward et al. 2003).

As with pests and pathogens, future climate change is likely to alter 

the range and abundance of invasive plants. Several lines of reasoning 

suggest that as a group, invasive plant species could benefi t more from 

climate change than native plants. Invasive plant species are often 

better able to tolerate or adjust to new climates than native species. 

Th ey often have broad environmental tolerance (Qian and Ricklefs 

2006), are able to change form and structure in response to changing environmental conditions 

(Schweitzer and Larson 1999), and are capable of rapid evolutionary change (Maron et al. 

2004). All of these properties could allow invasives to maintain or even increase their fi tness 

relative to other species 

in a changing climate. 

But, as with many 

aspects of climate change 

biology, the adaptive 

capacity of the invasives 

is largely untested, and 

the hypothesized fi tness 

gains have not actually 

been observed.

Garlic mustard in fl ower. 

Photo by Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, 

Bugwood.org

Japanese barberry infestation.

Photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 35

Case Study: Oriental bittersweet

Oriental bittersweet is a twining vine from southeastern Asia that is abundant in southern 

New England, but rare in northern New England and Canada. Where it occurs, it is a severe 

pest that has profound impacts on forests, damaging trees by girdling their trunks, breaking 

tree branches, and shading out young saplings. It can form a 

secondary canopy over the tops of trees and suppress fl owering 

and reproduction. Th is may prevent forest succession – posing 

an additional challenge to forests adapting to climate change.

Th e available data suggest that bittersweet is likely to benefi t 

from the warming and increased precipitation that are predicted 

for the Northeast. Th e species has broad habitat tolerances and 

is able to grow well in a wide range of conditions, all of which 

will enhance its success in a changing climate (Clement et al. 

1991, Ellsworth et al. 2004, Patterson 1974). Results from 

computer modeling studies predict that oriental bittersweet 

has the potential to spread throughout New England, and that 

the likelihood of its invading parts of northern New England is 

high (Dukes et al. 2009). Th is is corroborated by research which 

shows that it does well in frequently harvested mesic forests with 

signifi cant or frequent wind disturbance, a frequently scarifi ed 

forest fl oor, and gaps in the forest canopy (McNab and Loftis 

2002). Such forests are common in northern New England.

Oriental bittersweet.

Photo by Linda Haugen, USDA Forest Service, 

Bugwood.org

Oriental bittersweet infestation.

Photo by Chris Evans, River to River CWMA 

Bugwood.org
36 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY: 

MITIGATING AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN 

NORTHEAST FORESTS

Th e NE Forests 2100 research initiative brought together forest scientists from across the 

northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Th e knowledge assembled through their eff orts 

demonstrates that the climate of the Northeast has changed and will likely continue to change. 

Th is report shows the diverse and profound impacts climate changes are already having on the 

region’s forests and forecasts the eff ects of future change. Th e projections of future impacts 

suggest that forests will have trouble keeping pace with the accelerating rate of climate change 

and the associated stresses that climate change generates.

Given that changes are likely coming, how should forest managers, policy makers, 

nongovernmental organizations, scientists, and concerned citizens respond? Th is last section 

draws on the work of NE Forest 2100 research and others to outline some principals for 

decision makers.

Policy and management options for addressing climate change and its impacts fall into two 

categories: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation refers to “an anthropogenic intervention to 

reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases” (IPCC 2007). Adaptation is “an 

adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or 

their eff ects, which moderates harm or exploits benefi cial opportunities” (IPCC 2007). Th ree 

central ideas each for mitigation and adaptation emerge from recent forest science and policy 

reports and are outlined below.

Mitigation I: Prevent Forest Loss

Several recent reports in the Northeast and wider United States suggest that the fi rst and 

best action to help mitigate climate change is to conserve existing forest land. A recent report 

by the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation presented carbon budgets for eight counties 

in New England. Th eir results show that heavily forested areas sequester more carbon than 

they emit, whereas developed lands are net sources of CO2 to the atmosphere (Fahey et al. 

2011). Suburban sprawl, which has its high emissions from transportation, was identifi ed as 

the land use with the largest carbon footprint, even greater than dense urban areas (Fahey et 

al. 2011). Th e Hubbard Brook Research Foundation study also showed that forests , despite 

their variability, provided far greater benefi ts to climate stabilization than the alternative of 

land development. Th e cost of conserving forest land to secure carbon storage in perpetuity 

may be viewed as expensive. However, when additional benefi ts of forest protection—such as 

clean drinking water, fl ood protection, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities—are 

considered, the investment can be quite attractive.

Another recent study in the region (Foster et al. 2010) looked at the history of forest cover in 

New England and off ered a preservation plan. Th e report, which was produced at the Harvard 

Forest, MA, a research forest associated with Harvard University, says that the regrowth of New 

England’s forests following a century of land clearing by early settlers is both an opportunity 

and a great challenge. New England is currently 80 percent forested, and its forests are globally 
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 37

signifi cant for carbon storage. In every New England state, development is decreasing forest 

cover and reducing carbon storage. Th e authors call for retaining at least 70 percent of the 

region as forest land. Because 80 percent of the forests of New England are privately owned, 

achieving the vision will require conserving private woodlands for multiple uses through 

a combination of conservation easements, strategic acquisition, and enhanced economic 

incentives for private stewardship. National studies have echoed the call to conserve forests. 

Th e Ecological Society of America lists avoiding deforestation as a high priority and calls for 

conserving forests (Ryan et al. 2010). Avoiding deforestation is a low-risk way of retaining 

forest carbon and this option is a consideraton for inclusion in state and regional conservation 

initiatives and climate change mitigation programs.

Mitigation II: Enhance Carbon Storage in Managed Forests

A second strategy for using forests to mitigate climate change is the enhancement of carbon 

sequestration by forest management (Canadell and Raupach 2008, Ryan et al. 2010). Th e 

amount of carbon stored in Northeast forests is roughly 7 billion metric tons. Th is could be 

increased by lengthening the harvest interval, reducing the amount of wood removed in each 

harvest, and increasing the rate of forest growth through intensive silviculture (Ryan et al. 

2010).

Just how much additional carbon can be stored by improved management is uncertain. Some 

scientists believe that the region’s forests have peaked in their carbon storage potential. Others 

suggest that forests continue to store carbon as they age, especially in soils and coarse woody 

debris (Foster et al. 2010, Luyssaert et al. 2008). Still others argue that managed forests can 

reduce net greenhouse gas emission, if they are sustainably managed and if the products from 

them are used to replace carbon-intensive building materials such as concrete (Canadell and 

Raupach 2008, Ryan et al. 2010).

Mitigation III: Replace Fossil Fuels with “Smart” Biomass

Sustainably managed forests can supply woody biomass for energy production. Most scientists 

agree that the displacement of fossil fuel by wood from existing harvests is likely to result in 

a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, provided that the wood is harvested sustainably 

and used in effi cient applications such as community-scale combined heat and power biomass 

energy systems. Wood biomass projects can provide additional income to forest landowners 

and may prevent or defer the conversion of forests to other land uses and thereby prevent the 

emissions associated with forest conversion. However, the carbon benefi ts from biomass energy 

production are not guaranteed, and will only be secured if the forest management is sustainable 

and energy generation is effi cient.

Adaptation I: Increase Protected Areas

Adaptation strategies for Northeast forests would benefi t from allowing the movement of 

native plant and animal species in response to climate change, helping maintain ecosystem 

function, and conserving opportunities for adaptation of species to modifi ed climate conditions 

(Heinz Center 2008). As with mitigation strategies, the protection of forested landscapes, and 

in particular forested natural areas, tops the list of priorities. Th e fi rst challenge will be to fi nd 
38 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

the resources to do this. Th e second will be to create a network of protected areas that will be 

eff ective at conserving dynamic patterns of biodiversity at a variety of scales (Heinz Center 

2008, Lovejoy 2005). Building a portfolio of protected forest areas that conserve more than 

one example of all important forest types in the region is also recommended (Julius and West 

2007).

Adaptation II: Conserve Stepping Stones, Corridors and 

Refuges

Climate adaptation will benefi t from a landscape-scale conservation perspective that explicitly 

considers how the individual parcels of conserved land link to one another across large regions. 

Ecologists believe that “stepping stones”, which are corridors and habitat islands that link larger 

reserves, will aid the movement of wildlife and plants under changing climate regimes (Heinz 

Center 2008).

Th e management of corridors in large landscapes requires focusing on the areas that are likely 

to be important dispersal pathways (Carroll 2005). Scientists have long recognized that some 

environments are more buff ered against climate change than others (Millar et al. 2007). During 

periods of historical change, these places act as refuges. Refuges provide conditions where plant 

and animal populations are able to persist due in part to the ability of these local sites to escape 

the extremes of regional climate change impacts (Millar et al. 2007). Conserving known refuges 

would allow populations to persist and eventually colonize new suitable areas, if conditions 

permit.

Given that most forest land in the Northeast is privately owned, the eff ectiveness of these 

landscape-scale strategies depends directly on the cooperation and engagement of the hundreds 

of thousands of family forest owners across the region.

Adaptation III: Reduce Other Stresses on Forests

Th e IPCC identifi ed the importance of reducing other environmental threats as a way 

of adapting to the complex issue of climate change. Th ese other threats include habitat 

fragmentation or loss, pollution (including acid deposition and nitrogen enrichment), overexploitation of natural resources, and the introduction of alien species (Fischlin et al. 2007). 

Reducing these other stresses may increase the ability of forest (and other) ecosystems to tolerate 

climate change (Julius and West 2007).
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada 39

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Portions of this report are built on work originally developed by a coalition of U.S. and 

Canadian scientists as part of the NE Forests 2100 initiative. Th e results of that eff ort were 

published in a series of papers in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research (2009). Th e authors 

thank Steven McNulty, MaryBeth Adams, Richard Birdsey, Jamie Shandley, and Jerry Jenkins 

for their thoughtful comments on the manuscript. Th e activities of the NE Forests 2100 

initiative have been supported by grants from the Northeastern States Research Cooperative 

(NSRC) and by organizing eff orts of the Northeastern Ecosystem Research Cooperative 

(NERC). Th e development of this report was generously supported by U.S. Forest Service, 

Northern Research Station and the New York State Energy Research and Development 

Authority (NYSERDA).

Waterfall in southern New England. Photo by Brett J. Butler, U.S. Forest Service.
40 Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Th e Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada

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Printed on Recycled Paper

Rustad, Lindsey; Campbell, John; Dukes, Jeffrey S.; Huntington, Thomas; Fallon Lambert, 

Kathy; Mohan, Jacqueline; Rodenhouse, Nicholas. 2012. Changing climate, changing 

forests: The impacts of climate change on forests of the northeastern United States 

and eastern Canada. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-99. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 48 p.

Decades of study on climatic change and its direct and indirect effects on forest ecosystems 

provide important insights for forest science, management, and policy. A synthesis of recent 

research from the northeastern United States and eastern Canada shows that the climate 

of the region has become warmer and wetter over the past 100 years and that there are 

more extreme precipitation events. Greater change is projected in the future. The amount of 

projected future change depends on the emissions scenarios used. Tree species composition 

of northeast forests has shifted slowly in response to climate for thousands of years. However, 

current human-accelerated climate change is much more rapid and it is unclear how forests 

will respond to large changes in suitable habitat. Projections indicate signifi cant declines in 

suitable habitat for spruce-fi r forests and expansion of suitable habitat for oak-dominated 

forests. Productivity gains that might result from extended growing seasons and carbon dioxide 

and nitrogen fertilization may be offset by productivity losses associated with the disruption 

of species assemblages and concurrent stresses associated with potential increases in 

atmospheric deposition of pollutants, forest fragmentation, and nuisance species. Investigations 

of links to water and nutrient cycling suggest that changes in evapotranspiration, soil respiration, 

and mineralization rates could result in signifi cant alterations of key ecosystem processes. 

Climate change affects the distribution and abundance of many wildlife species in the region 

through changes in habitat, food availability, thermal tolerances, species interactions such as 

competition, and susceptibility to parasites and disease. Birds are the most studied northeastern 

taxa. Twenty-seven of the 38 bird species for which we have adequate long-term records have 

expanded their ranges predominantly in a northward direction. There is some evidence to 

suggest that novel species, including pests and pathogens, may be more adept at adjusting to 

changing climatic conditions, enhancing their competitive ability relative to native species. With 

the accumulating evidence of climate change and its potential effects, forest stewardship efforts 

would benefi t from integrating climate mitigation and adaptation options in conservation and 

management plans.

KEY WORDS: temperate forests, biogeochemistry, carbon cycle, water cycle, climate models, 

invasive species, wildlife, climate adaptation, climate mitigation

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