Page 28 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 3 - Summer 2023

Georgia
Tree Farm Program
We grow stewardship from the roots.
1132 Clairmont Place Macon, Georgia 31204 478.972.7899 cell
georgiatreefarm@gmail.com www.treefarmsystem.org/georgia
To help SFI-certified companies
and all landowners across North America better address impacts in local contexts, SFI convened six regional SFI Implementation Committees (SICs) for workshops across the US and Canada
to discuss and assess potential climate change risks and identify potential adaptation actions for respective climate impact priorities.
In the Southern region, nine states’ SICs came together to discuss innova- tive strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change on forestry. Together, they identified and prioritized top risks facing the industry, and brainstormed solutions to overcome them. This collaborative effort offers a hopeful glimpse into a more sustainable future for Southern forestry and showcases the resilience of the industry in the face of a changing climate.
The committees developed a matrix that assesses the risks of climate change impact on two scales: the likelihood of impact and the severity of impact if it happens. Both scales are assessed on five points, with the likelihood of impact being assessed from very unlikely to very likely, and severity of impact being assessed from negligible to severe. Five of the assessed climate change impacts rated as Major or higher.
1 EXTREME WEATHER
SEVERE / VERY LIKELY
Extreme-weather storm and hurricane events have become more frequent
and severe across the region, leading
to extensive timber loss. To support resistance to these impact events, forestry operators could consider shorter thinning rotations, edge feathering
of stands, and a shift toward thinning to higher trees per acre. An adaptive salvage plan and proactive support for salvage operations would help landowners effectively deal with an impact event.
INCREASED 2 WILDFIRES
MAJOR / VERY LIKELY
Wildfires have become more frequent in drier areas of the Southern region. Forestry operators could increase controlled burn frequency, increase diversity in tree size and age, maintain barriers and decrease density of stands (e.g. by thinning) to mitigate potential fire impact. In addition, maintained property access is essential for firefighters to ensure prompt response to impact events.
DROUGHT / 3 MORTALITY
MAJOR / VERY LIKELY
Drier areas of the Southern region are at substantial risk of timber loss due
to drought and mortality. To promote healthy stands, forestry operators should manage to the desired trees per acre (e.g. by thinning), ensure proper species selection for the site, and establish diversity in tree size and age. Additional strategies include utilizing containerized seedlings and choosing improved tree genetics to improve tree survival. Assessing drought vulnerabilities and landscape changes regularly is essential.
FOREST RESOURCE SERVICES INC.
Specializing in
Land and Timber Management & Sales Land Management:
Clearing, Mulching, Site Prep
BOBBY D. BROWN
Registered Forester GA Number 2164 Licensed Realtor in GA Number 165520
20364 GA Hwy 3 Thomasville, GA 31792
229.221.3016 • brown@ftrealty.com
4 INCREASED INVASIVES, PESTS
& PATHOGENS – MAJOR / LIKELY
Invasive species, pests and pathogens can decimate forest tracts, making them a risk not only for tree mortality but for overall forest maintenance costs. Options for mitigating their risk include planting proper and diverse species across the landscape, treating seed- lings, promoting improved genetics, implementing regular invasive-eradi- cation plans, and regularly monitoring working forests over their growth cycle.
ADVERTISE
IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF
GEORGIA FORESTRY
Contact HOLLI MUFFLER
for more information: holli.muffler@todaymediacustom.com 302-729-2907
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Severity of Impacts
Likelihood of impact
1.
Extreme Weather
Severe
Very Likely
2.
Increased Wildfires
Major
Very Likely
3.
Drought / Mortality
Major
Very Likely
4.
Increased Invasives, Pests & Pathogens
Major
Likely
5.
Heavy Rainfall
Major
Likely
26 | GEORGIA FORESTRY