Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, an Urban National Park in the Twin Cities Area, Minnesota

Marcella Windmuller-Campione,Courtney Peterson,Mary C Hammes,Rebecca Montgomery,Leslie Brandt,Linda Nagel

doi:10.15365/cate.2020.130111

Marcella Windmuller-Campione, Courtney Peterson + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15365/cate.2020.130111

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Abstract

The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Network is a collaborative effort to establish a series of experimental silvicultural trials across different forest ecosystem types. A variety of partners have developed trial sites as part of this multi-regional study researching long-term ecosystem responses to a range of climate change adaptation actions. We are currently implementing an affiliate trial within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a national park along the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities Metro Area of Minnesota.

Highlights

The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Network is a collaborative effort to establish a series of experimental silvicultural trials across different forest ecosystem types
The goal of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) ASCC project is to better understand how to manage healthy forest systems as they transition to future conditions that include emerald ash borer (EAB) and the impacts of climate change
The MNRRA created a Forest Management Plan that includes data rich GIS layers: habitat quality, erodibility, ash presence, and projected climate change impacts As a step, the MNRRA and Mississippi Park Connection (MPC) engaged with the staff at Colorado State University and Northern Institute for Applied Climate Science (NIACS) to design and implement an ASCC project to test alternative management strategies in alignment with the Forest Management Plan

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Network is a collaborative effort to establish a series of experimental silvicultural trials across different forest ecosystem types. Managers of the park are interested in helping these forests adapt to these changes to maintain a healthy canopy. The ASCC project will help restore lost canopy and provide vital information about best practices for areas impacted by both EAB and climate change. The goal of the MNRRA ASCC project is to better understand how to manage healthy forest systems as they transition to future conditions that include EAB and the impacts of climate change. Treatments and findings from this long-term study are part of an active network of longterm research, creating a model experimental design focused on forest adaptation to climate change, and helping inform future management decisions. A key component of this project will be continued community engagement, with an overarching goal of creating an educated, engaged public involved in local climate-adaptation efforts

APPROACH USED

Expected Outcomes