Most dominant tree species in lowland and riparian hardwood forests are expected to increase by the end of the century (American elm, black willow, eastern cottonwood, green ash, silver maple, swamp white oak, and white ash).

Multiple forest impact models tend to agree that these species are likely to increase in suitable habitat and biomass across a range of climate scenarios by the end of the century. These forests are relatively diverse with tree species occupying a variety of microsites, which reduces the risk of some species declining under future conditions. Many of these species are near their northern range limits in the Northwoods, so they may benefit from gene flow from southern populations. Riparian forests tend to contain more southern species than lowland forests, so they may be less vulnerable to future conditions in northern Michigan. Sycamore and hackberry are two southern species expected to gain new suitable habitat in northern Michigan and Wisconsin.