Back to allOverview
Climate change is impacting the health, productivity, and character of our forests and the industries and communities that rely on them. We depend on healthy forests to provide important services to society, such as carbon sequestration, air and water filtration, wildlife habitat, and others. A range of climate-related impacts are already becoming evident—from drought-induced forest mortality in some regions to shifts in the geographic range and outbreak frequency of certain forest pests. At the same time, a lengthening growing season and a carbon-rich atmosphere have the potential to boost forest growth. To minimize the ecological and economic risks, and capitalize on emerging opportunities, the individuals and organizations that own and manage forestland must both understand how climate and forests are changing and integrate that knowledge in their planning and management.
