Wildlife Management

Wildlife Management

Taxonomy Machine Name
sector_wildlife_management
Taxonomy Alias
wildlife_management
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The large stream floodplain and riparian forest ecosystem is often found near agriculture or other developed lands and faces a number of anthropogenic stressors.

Submitted by dshannon on

This ecosystem exists in many variations within a relatively small proportion of the Central Appalachians, but is extremely altered by habitat destruction, fragmentation, and disconnection of floodplain forests from rivers and streams (e.g., by roads or infrastructure that impedes the flow of water).

The possibility exists for interactions among multiple stressors to lead to more severe climate change impacts within the large stream floodplain and riparian forest ecosystem.

Submitted by dshannon on

Drought-stressed trees may become more susceptible to insect pests such as emerald ash borer and diseases such as thousand cankers and elm yellows. Mortality of ash species from emerald ash borer is likely to eliminate this species by mid-century, reducing overall native species diversity.

Many invasive plant species currently threaten this ecosystem and are expected to be able to take advantage of climate change to outcompete native species in the large stream floodplain and riparian forest ecosystem..

Submitted by dshannon on

The high number of invasive species out-competing natives has already reduced the adaptive capacity of this ecosystem. Dependence on periodic inundation, combined with competition from invasive species, may result in a reduced ability of native tree species to tolerate a variety of amplified or new disturbances.

Wildfire potential could increase under drier conditions to negatively impact large stream floodplain and riparian forest ecosystem..

Submitted by dshannon on

Wildfire, currently episodic and human-caused, could increase under drier conditions, although the extent would be limited by the fragmented nature of riparian and floodplain ecosystems.

Model projections are limited for most dominant species, but tend to project increases in suitable habitat for many species within the large stream floodplain and riparian forest ecosystem.

Submitted by dshannon on

Many riverine species in this forest type were modeled only by the Tree Atlas; thus evidence is somewhat limited regarding dominant species. Black willow, green ash, sweetgum, and sycamore are projected to increase in suitable habitat over much of the Central Appalachians. Silver maple had mixed results, but is projected to generally decrease in suitable habitat under low climate scenarios and increase under high climate scenarios.

Increases in storm intensity and flooding events have the potential to increase soil erosion and sedimentation within the large stream floodplain and riparian forest ecosystem.

Submitted by dshannon on

Episodic precipitation is likely to result in more intense storms, and subsequent flooding events. Although this ecosystem is highly dependent on disturbance and a regular influx of seeds, nutrients, and water during periodic flooding, increases in flood intensity or more frequent drought may not be tolerated by many species, especially in the early growth stages. Many riverine species in this forest type depend on high moisture availability, and are especially threatened by discrete periods of dry soil conditions.

Many invasive species, insect pests, and pathogens in the Central Appalachians will increase or become more damaging this will affect the dry/mesic oak forest ecosystem.

Submitted by dshannon on

Increased drought risk, especially during the growing season, may increase susceptibility to red oak borer, ambrosia beetle, gypsy moth, armillaria root rot, and other insect pests and diseases. Tree-of–heaven, Japanese stiltgrass, and garlic mustard, which often out-compete native herbs and shrubs in this ecosystem, are expected to do well in warmer temperatures.

Soil conditions will become even drier for the dry/mesic oak forest ecosystem late in the growing season, especially on south-facing slopes.

Submitted by dshannon on

Many species are tolerant of dry soil conditions and fire, although young regeneration may be sensitive to severe drought and fire. Low-severity late-season drought generally favors oak species, although severe drought may hinder regeneration, or combine with other stressors to make individuals more susceptible to mortality or reduced productivity.

Fire suppression has allowed mesic species to become dominant in the dry/mesic oak forest ecosystem.

Submitted by dshannon on

A history of fire suppression and timber harvesting has facilitated a shift to more mesic soils and associated hardwood species (e.g., sugar maple, American beech, tulip tree). Increased fire frequency could help regenerate oak species and restore the understory composition. However, very frequent fires have the potential to kill young seedlings of any species, even those species that have relatively fire-resistant, thick bark as adults.