Ecology and Vulnerability
Forest: Beech- Birch- Maple

Northern hardwood forest (Beech, Birch, Maple)

Photo credit: Anthony W. D'Amato

Stressors
Temperature changes
Precipitation changes
Change in timing of seasons
Invasive plants and animals
Pests and diseases
Development and habitat loss
Terrestrial connectivity loss (roads and development)

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Northern hardwood forest (Vermont)

Ranking
Presumed Stable
Confidence
High
Climate scenario
Not Specified
Location
Vermont
Time period
Not Specified

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Northern hardwood (Maine)

Ranking
Moderately Vulnerable
Confidence
Not Specified
Climate scenario
Not Specified
Location
Maine
Time period
Not Specified

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Northern hardwood forest (Massachusetts)

Ranking
Highly Vulnerable
Confidence
Medium
Climate scenario
Low (doubling of CO2) - High (tripling of CO2)
Location
Massachusetts
Time period
2100

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Beech-birch-maple

Ranking
5 - Medium to High Vulnerability
Confidence
Not Specified
Climate scenario
SRES B1 (Lower emissions scenario) and A1FI (Higher emissions scenario)
Location
New England
Time period
2015 - 2100

Related Species

American Mink
American Woodcock
Black Bear
Blackpoll Warbler
Canada Warbler
Coyote
Louisiana Waterthrush
Moose
New England Cottontail
Northern Long-eared Bat
Prairie Warbler
Ruffed Grouse
Snowshoe Hare
White-tailed Deer
Wood Thrush
Wood Turtle
Blackburnian Warbler
Bicknell’s Thrush
Cerulean Warbler
Indiana Bat
Silver-haired Bat
Cheat Mountain Salamander
Weller’s Salamander
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee
Blue-winged Warbler
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Golden-winged Warbler
Hoary Bat
Little Brown Bat
Tricolored Bat
Blue-spotted Salamander
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Green Salamander
Timber Rattlesnake

Related Adaptation Strategies and Actions

Use threshold-based adaptive management: Incorporate ecological thresholds to guide coastal protection and restoration
Adapt or update municipal plans: Master Plans
Adapt or update municipal plans: Transportation Improvement Plans
Maintain habitat connectivity: Modify stream crossings to allow wildlife passage
Maintain habitat connectivity: Amphibian and reptile tunnels
Maintain habitat connectivity: Collect road crossing data
Promote drought and heat-tolerant species: Encourage species in northern and middle edge of range
Protect ecosystem diversity: Establish large connected conserved areas
Promote structural diversity: Retain biological legacies
Maintain diversity of native tree species: Restore native tree species
Promote structural diversity: Diversify tree age classes
Reduce wind and ice damage: Increase structural diversity of the forest
Preserve unique habitats: Establish forest patch reserves
Prioritize at-risk communities: Protect rare species
Promote drought and heat-tolerant species: Promote adapted trees in beech-birch-maple forests
Manage herbivory to promote tree regeneration: Control deer/moose impacts
Prevent the introduction of invasive species: Monitor for invasive insects
Prevent the introduction of invasive species: Control invasive exotic plants
Maintain or improve the ability of forests to resist pests and pathogens: Increase species and structural diversity
Protect forest streams and wetlands: Maintain riparian and wetland buffers
Maintain or restore soil quality: Increase snags and logs
Maintain or restore soil quality: Limit recreational impacts
Maintain or restore soil quality: Protect soils during harvests
Keep forests as forests: Protect your land