Current and predicted trends in climate are diverging from historic norms, thereby compromising the equilibrial basis of our resource management frameworks. This study investigates the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the context of conservation planning for British Columbia's Central Interior. I used bioclimatic envelope modeling and a climate interpolation and general circulation model downscaling tool to assess 73 rare plant species, 103 biogeoclimatic variants, and 30 terrestrial ecosystem units. I mapped areas projected to support climate suitable for the persistence of those conservation targets through to the 2080s. Results illustrate the potential for disruptive change only 12% (24) of the 206 targets are projected to experience persistent climate at their current locations. Although strong overlap among locations projected to persist for different targets was not found, and those areas meeting multiple objectives (including value independent of climate change) are clear priorities for protection. This methodology can function as a valuable tool for conservation planners and resource managers. --P. [i]
I examined the environmental relationships of feathermosses, vascular plants, and mat-forming lichens in lodgepole pine forests. Seventy-two mature forest plots were surveyed using microhabitat-scale sampling for functional group abundance, canopy characteristics, nutrient availability, soil texture, topography, relative humidity and air temperature. Feathermosses positively associate with canopy closure, afternoon shade, nitrogen or base-cation availability, duff thickness, fine soil texture, and water-receiving positions. Lichens positively associate with total irradiance, aluminum:calcium availability, water-shedding positions, and base-cation or nitrogen deficiency. Vascular plants have higher within-group variability, but positively associate with direct irradiance, afternoon shade, canopy heterogeneity, duff thickness, nutrient availability, alkalinity, and fine soil texture. Lichen patches are characterized by lower atmospheric moisture than vascular plant or feathermoss patches, but microclimate is more strongly associated with macroclimate and soil than canopy or understory vegetation. Competition among functional groups probably occurs but is unimportant environmental filtering and initial floristics are more likely mechanism of niche partitioning. --P.i.
Mountain pine beetle (MPB)-killed wood remaining on the landscape is predicted to release significant amounts of carbon to the atmosphere as it decays. A lack of field-based wood decomposition data for validating simulation models reduces certainty in such predictions. Using a chronosequence approach, I quantified decomposition of MPB-killed wood to improve decay rate parameters. Changes in carbon density over time and climatic variability showed distinct patterns for bole position categories. Snag carbon density was similar to that of live lodgepole pine, and did not change considerably with time or climatic influences. Decay in suspended boles increased with summer precipitation, but declined with increasing summer temperature, suggesting decay in elevated boles is moisture-limited on warmer sites. Down boles decayed four times faster with increasing proximity to the soil than suspended boles, but did not clearly reflect climatic influences. Position of dead boles appears more important for wood decay than previously thought. --Leaf ii.
Forest response to western hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria spp. lugubrosa) outbreaks in the inland temperate rainforest (ITR) can be quite variable. Sixty-three plots sampled approximately 17 years after collapse of the 1991-94 outbreak east of Prince George, British Columbia, revealed multiple aspects of ecosystem resilience. Overstory recovery appears to be greatest in stands with lower site productivity and in stands with a more severe outbreak history. Forest regeneration is strongly constrained by shrub cover, which is promoted by canopy opennesss and soil nutrients, both of which can be accentuated by defoliators. Shrub cover is more prominent on steep slopes. Site index and soil moisture regime are primarily responsible for niche differentiation among regenerating tree species. While silvicultural intervention may accelerate reforestation on sites dominated by dense shrubs after a looper outbreak, western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) can likely achieve full stocking without treatment. Management of defoliated stands for tree production should consider differences in site index, site series, post-outbreak canopy density and annual heat:moisture index among stands. These documented patterns can be mapped and extrapolated throughout the ITR, but forest management options after a defoliation event must be evaluated on a site by site basis. --Leaf i.
Climate change is impacting forest ecosystems. Climatic envelopes were developed for dry coastal ecosystems and 18 diagnostic plant species in southwestern British Columbia to project current and future suitable climate space. Future projections suggest a northward shift for ecosystem and species, with a reduction in ecosystem climate space and variable results for species climate space. Results suggest that ecosystem climatic envelopes represent cumulative biological complexity and that the ecosystem-level processes and functions cannot be allocated among the species within the plant community. A monitoring network was established to improve understanding and to detect changes in climate, soil, and vegetation relationships, and hence the distribution of ecosystems and species, over time. Baseline summaries detect climatic differences between monitored ecosystems. This climatic envelope research provides a foundation for theoretical development and the field study provides site-specific datasets to improve our understanding of forest ecosystems and our ability to manage land and resources. --P. ii.
