Ecology and Vulnerability
Forest: Spruce- Fir

Forest (Spruce and Fir)

Photo Credit: Emily S. Huff

Stressors
Temperature changes
Precipitation changes
Changes in winter
Storms and floods
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: High elevation spruce-fir forest (New Hampshire)

Ranking
Moderately Vulnerable
Confidence
Not Specified
Climate scenario
SRES B1 and A1F1 (Lowest and mid-range scenarios)
Location
New Hampshire
Time period
2100

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Montane spruce-fir (Vermont)

Ranking
Highly Vulnerable
Confidence
High
Climate scenario
Not Specified
Location
Southern Vermont
Time period
Not Specified

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Upland spruce-fir (Maine)

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

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Spruce-Fir forest (Massachusetts)

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

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Spruce-fir

Ranking
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
Black Bear
Blackpoll Warbler
Canada Warbler
Coyote
Louisiana Waterthrush
Moose
Northern Long-eared Bat
Ruffed Grouse
Snowshoe Hare
White-tailed Deer
Wood Turtle
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Blackburnian Warbler
Bicknell’s Thrush
Bog Elfin
Indiana Bat
Silver-haired Bat
Cheat Mountain Salamander
Weller’s Salamander
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Hoary Bat
Little Brown Bat
Eastern Tiger Salamander

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 spruce-fir 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