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• 11. [Article] Effectiveness of Fuel Treatments for Mitigating Wildfire Risk and Sequestering Forest Carbon: A Case Study in the Lake Tahoe Basin

  Fuel-reduction treatments are used extensively to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest diversity and function. In the near future, increasing regulation of carbon (C) emissions may force forest managers ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effectiveness of Fuel Treatments for Mitigating Wildfire Risk and Sequestering Forest Carbon: A Case Study in the Lake Tahoe Basin Author: Loudermilk, E. Louise, Stanton, Alison, Scheller, Robert M., Dilts, Thomas E., Weisberg, Peter J., Skinner, Carl, Yang, Jian Year: 2014 Fuel-reduction treatments are used extensively to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest diversity and function. In the near future, increasing regulation of carbon (C) emissions may force forest managers to balance the use of fuel treatments for reducing wildfire risk against an alternative goal of C sequestration. The objective of this study was to evaluate how long-term fuel treatments mitigate wildfires and affect forest C. For the Lake Tahoe Basin in the central Sierra Nevada, USA, fuel treatment efficiency was explored with a landscape-scale simulation model, LANDIS-II, using five fuel treatment scenarios and two (contemporary and potential future) fire regimes. Treatment scenarios included applying a combination of light (hand) and moderate (mechanical) forest thinning continuously through time and transitioning from these prescriptions to a more mid-seral thinning prescription, both on a 15 and 30 year rotation interval. In the last scenario, fuel treatments were isolated to around the lake shore (nearby urban settlement) to simulate a low investment alternative were future resources may be limited. Results indicated that the forest will remain a C sink regardless of treatment or fire regime simulated, due to the landscape legacy of historic logging. Achievement of a net C gain required decades with intensive treatment and depended on wildfire activity: Fuel treatments were more effective in a more active fire environment, where the interface between wildfires and treatment areas increased and caused net C gain earlier than as compared to our scenarios with less wildfire activity. Fuel treatments were most effective when continuously applied and strategically placed in high ignition areas. Treatment type and re-application interval were less influential at the landscape scale, but had notable effects on species dynamics within management units. Treatments created more diverse forest conditions by shifting dominance patterns to a more mixed conifer system, with a higher proportion of fire-tolerant species. We demonstrated that a small amount of wildfire on the landscape resulted in significant changes in the C pool, and that strategically placed fuel treatments substantially reduced wildfire risk, increased fire resiliency of the forest, and is beneficial for long-term C management. Implications for landscape management included consideration for prioritization of treatment areas and creating ideal re-entry schedules that meet logistic, safety, and conservation goals. In forests with a concentrated wildland urban interface, fuel treatments may be vital for ensuring human welfare and enhancing forest integrity in a fire-prone future. Title: Effectiveness of Fuel Treatments for Mitigating Wildfire Risk and Sequestering Forest Carbon: A Case Study in the Lake Tahoe Basin Author: Loudermilk, E. Louise, Stanton, Alison, Scheller, Robert M., Dilts, Thomas E., Weisberg, Peter J., Skinner, Carl, Yang, Jian Year: 2014 Fuel-reduction treatments are used extensively to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest diversity and function. In the near future, increasing regulation of carbon (C) emissions may force forest managers to balance the use of fuel treatments for reducing wildfire risk against an alternative goal of C sequestration. The objective of this study was to evaluate how long-term fuel treatments mitigate wildfires and affect forest C. For the Lake Tahoe Basin in the central Sierra Nevada, USA, fuel treatment efficiency was explored with a landscape-scale simulation model, LANDIS-II, using five fuel treatment scenarios and two (contemporary and potential future) fire regimes. Treatment scenarios included applying a combination of light (hand) and moderate (mechanical) forest thinning continuously through time and transitioning from these prescriptions to a more mid-seral thinning prescription, both on a 15 and 30 year rotation interval. In the last scenario, fuel treatments were isolated to around the lake shore (nearby urban settlement) to simulate a low investment alternative were future resources may be limited. Results indicated that the forest will remain a C sink regardless of treatment or fire regime simulated, due to the landscape legacy of historic logging. Achievement of a net C gain required decades with intensive treatment and depended on wildfire activity: Fuel treatments were more effective in a more active fire environment, where the interface between wildfires and treatment areas increased and caused net C gain earlier than as compared to our scenarios with less wildfire activity. Fuel treatments were most effective when continuously applied and strategically placed in high ignition areas. Treatment type and re-application interval were less influential at the landscape scale, but had notable effects on species dynamics within management units. Treatments created more diverse forest conditions by shifting dominance patterns to a more mixed conifer system, with a higher proportion of fire-tolerant species. We demonstrated that a small amount of wildfire on the landscape resulted in significant changes in the C pool, and that strategically placed fuel treatments substantially reduced wildfire risk, increased fire resiliency of the forest, and is beneficial for long-term C management. Implications for landscape management included consideration for prioritization of treatment areas and creating ideal re-entry schedules that meet logistic, safety, and conservation goals. In forests with a concentrated wildland urban interface, fuel treatments may be vital for ensuring human welfare and enhancing forest integrity in a fire-prone future. Close

• 12. [Article] The Impact of Drought on the Sierra Nevada Range: Using Remote Sensing Data to Estimate Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Flux

  Remote sensing is a widely used technique for studying Earth systems, including ecosystem response to global warming. With the recent California drought, remote sensing gives an opportunity to study large-scale ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Impact of Drought on the Sierra Nevada Range: Using Remote Sensing Data to Estimate Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Flux Author: Mazzi, Jessica Year: 2016 Remote sensing is a widely used technique for studying Earth systems, including ecosystem response to global warming. With the recent California drought, remote sensing gives an opportunity to study large-scale CO2 flux changes over time due to insufficient water uptake by plant life. In this study three flux towers were used, to correlate Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE = PRI * NDVI * PAR), gathered from remote sensing data, and measurements of CO2 flux from in-situ flux towers over an area of 8,149 km2 in the Sierra Nevada Range. To estimate CO2 from NEE, two linear regressions were used which correlated with the temperature stress response of plants (>23.5 and 2 values of 0.81 and 0.83 respectively. Per-pixel CO2 flux was estimated for flights between 2011 (pre drought) and 2015 (during drought). This study showed a 25% (4.8 g / min) decrease in net carbon fixation between September 2011 and October 2014 over 34 km2. Also seen was a decrease in net carbon fixation over 7,737 km2 of 90.2% (18,863 g / min) between June 2013 to June 2015. Of the 411.6 km2 affected by the 2013 Rim Fire, this study showed a decrease in net carbon fixation of 85.5% (1,574 g / min) between June 2013 and June 2015. It is estimated that the entire Rim Fire (1,041 km2) could have caused a total decrease in net carbon fixation totaling 3,982 grams per minute from 2013 to 2015. Title: The Impact of Drought on the Sierra Nevada Range: Using Remote Sensing Data to Estimate Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Flux Author: Mazzi, Jessica Year: 2016 Remote sensing is a widely used technique for studying Earth systems, including ecosystem response to global warming. With the recent California drought, remote sensing gives an opportunity to study large-scale CO2 flux changes over time due to insufficient water uptake by plant life. In this study three flux towers were used, to correlate Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE = PRI * NDVI * PAR), gathered from remote sensing data, and measurements of CO2 flux from in-situ flux towers over an area of 8,149 km2 in the Sierra Nevada Range. To estimate CO2 from NEE, two linear regressions were used which correlated with the temperature stress response of plants (>23.5 and 2 values of 0.81 and 0.83 respectively. Per-pixel CO2 flux was estimated for flights between 2011 (pre drought) and 2015 (during drought). This study showed a 25% (4.8 g / min) decrease in net carbon fixation between September 2011 and October 2014 over 34 km2. Also seen was a decrease in net carbon fixation over 7,737 km2 of 90.2% (18,863 g / min) between June 2013 to June 2015. Of the 411.6 km2 affected by the 2013 Rim Fire, this study showed a decrease in net carbon fixation of 85.5% (1,574 g / min) between June 2013 and June 2015. It is estimated that the entire Rim Fire (1,041 km2) could have caused a total decrease in net carbon fixation totaling 3,982 grams per minute from 2013 to 2015. Close

• 13. [Article] Simulation Modeling of Forest Landscape Disturbances: Vegetation Dynamics and Biogeochemistry

  This is a book chapter within Simulation Modeling of Forest Landscape Disturbances. Forest landscape disturbances are a global phenomenon. Simulation models are an important tool in understanding these ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Simulation Modeling of Forest Landscape Disturbances: Vegetation Dynamics and Biogeochemistry Author: Scheller, Robert M., Swanson, Mark E. Year: 2015 This is a book chapter within Simulation Modeling of Forest Landscape Disturbances. Forest landscape disturbances are a global phenomenon. Simulation models are an important tool in understanding these broad scale processes and exploring their effects on forest ecosystems. This book contains a collection of insights from a group of ecologists who address a variety of processes: physical disturbances such as drought, wind, and fire; biological disturbances such as defoliating insects and bark beetles; anthropogenic influences; interactions among disturbances; effects of climate change on disturbances; and the recovery of forest landscapes from disturbances—all from a simulation modeling perspective. These discussions and examples offer a broad synopsis of the state of this rapidly evolving subject. Title: Simulation Modeling of Forest Landscape Disturbances: Vegetation Dynamics and Biogeochemistry Author: Scheller, Robert M., Swanson, Mark E. Year: 2015 This is a book chapter within Simulation Modeling of Forest Landscape Disturbances. Forest landscape disturbances are a global phenomenon. Simulation models are an important tool in understanding these broad scale processes and exploring their effects on forest ecosystems. This book contains a collection of insights from a group of ecologists who address a variety of processes: physical disturbances such as drought, wind, and fire; biological disturbances such as defoliating insects and bark beetles; anthropogenic influences; interactions among disturbances; effects of climate change on disturbances; and the recovery of forest landscapes from disturbances—all from a simulation modeling perspective. These discussions and examples offer a broad synopsis of the state of this rapidly evolving subject. Close

• 14. [Article] Community level impacts associated with the invasion of English ivy (Hedera spp.) in Forest Park: a look at the impacts of ivy on community composition and soil moisture.

  Invasive species degrade ecosystems by altering natural processes and decreasing the abundance and diversity of native flora. Communities with major fluctuations in resource supply allow invasive species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Community level impacts associated with the invasion of English ivy (Hedera spp.) in Forest Park: a look at the impacts of ivy on community composition and soil moisture. Author: Copp, Sara Rose Year: 2014 Invasive species degrade ecosystems by altering natural processes and decreasing the abundance and diversity of native flora. Communities with major fluctuations in resource supply allow invasive species to exploit limiting resources making the community prone to invasion. In the Pacific Northwest, urban forests characterized with limited light and seasonally limited soil moisture are being dominated by nonnative English ivy (Hedera spp). Three observational studies were conducted in the Southern end of Forest Park within the Balch Creek Subwatershed in Portland, Oregon in order to understand 1) how English ivy changes over three growing seasons, 2) how the native understory composition responds to English ivy, 3) if the dominance of English ivy reduces soil moisture to neighboring plants, 4) how English ivy and two co-occurring native herbs (Hydrophyllum tenuipes and Vancouveria hexandra) physiologically respond to seasonal changes in soil moisture. Percent cover of the understory community was collected in both 2010 and 2013 growing seasons in 54 plots in order to understand the change in cover over time. Community response and the relationship with soil moisture was analyzed using percent cover of the understory community and associated environmental variables including soil moisture collected in 128 plots during the 2013 field season. Finally, 15 plots with co-occurring Hedera spp, H. tenuipes and V. hexandra were sampled for stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, and associated environmental variables. Results show ivy cover increases on average 14% between 2010 and 2013 while native understory cover increased on average < 1%. Once ivy forms dense cover over 44% there is a reduction of native richness, diversity and herb cover while also an increase in available soil moisture and deciduous canopy cover. There were disparate impacts to different functional groups and between species. As functional group, the herbaceous community was the most impacted by ivy invasion. The shrubs and fern community had a variable response to ivy invasion. Many of the fern and shrub species least impacted by ivy also had associations with high soil moisture and deciduous canopy cover. Finally, data suggests that ivy does not take advantage of seasonally limiting soil moisture to invade the understory community. This study indicates that English ivy is both efficient at water use and may have the ability to obtain water from distant locations throughout the forest. Once established, ivy has the ability to alter the community composition. Ivy removal and habitat restoration are essential in order to maintain and enhance biodiversity in Forest Park. Title: Community level impacts associated with the invasion of English ivy (Hedera spp.) in Forest Park: a look at the impacts of ivy on community composition and soil moisture. Author: Copp, Sara Rose Year: 2014 Invasive species degrade ecosystems by altering natural processes and decreasing the abundance and diversity of native flora. Communities with major fluctuations in resource supply allow invasive species to exploit limiting resources making the community prone to invasion. In the Pacific Northwest, urban forests characterized with limited light and seasonally limited soil moisture are being dominated by nonnative English ivy (Hedera spp). Three observational studies were conducted in the Southern end of Forest Park within the Balch Creek Subwatershed in Portland, Oregon in order to understand 1) how English ivy changes over three growing seasons, 2) how the native understory composition responds to English ivy, 3) if the dominance of English ivy reduces soil moisture to neighboring plants, 4) how English ivy and two co-occurring native herbs (Hydrophyllum tenuipes and Vancouveria hexandra) physiologically respond to seasonal changes in soil moisture. Percent cover of the understory community was collected in both 2010 and 2013 growing seasons in 54 plots in order to understand the change in cover over time. Community response and the relationship with soil moisture was analyzed using percent cover of the understory community and associated environmental variables including soil moisture collected in 128 plots during the 2013 field season. Finally, 15 plots with co-occurring Hedera spp, H. tenuipes and V. hexandra were sampled for stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, and associated environmental variables. Results show ivy cover increases on average 14% between 2010 and 2013 while native understory cover increased on average < 1%. Once ivy forms dense cover over 44% there is a reduction of native richness, diversity and herb cover while also an increase in available soil moisture and deciduous canopy cover. There were disparate impacts to different functional groups and between species. As functional group, the herbaceous community was the most impacted by ivy invasion. The shrubs and fern community had a variable response to ivy invasion. Many of the fern and shrub species least impacted by ivy also had associations with high soil moisture and deciduous canopy cover. Finally, data suggests that ivy does not take advantage of seasonally limiting soil moisture to invade the understory community. This study indicates that English ivy is both efficient at water use and may have the ability to obtain water from distant locations throughout the forest. Once established, ivy has the ability to alter the community composition. Ivy removal and habitat restoration are essential in order to maintain and enhance biodiversity in Forest Park. Close

• 15. [Article] Forest Management Scenarios in a Changing Climate: Trade-Offs Between Carbon, Timber, and Old Forest

  Balancing economic, ecological, and social values has long been a challenge in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, where conflict over timber harvest and old-growth habitat on public lands has been contentious ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Forest Management Scenarios in a Changing Climate: Trade-Offs Between Carbon, Timber, and Old Forest Author: Scheller, Robert M., Creutzburg, Megan K., Lucash, Melissa S., LeDuc, Stephen D., Johnson, Mark G. Year: 2017 Balancing economic, ecological, and social values has long been a challenge in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, where conflict over timber harvest and old-growth habitat on public lands has been contentious for the past several decades. The Northwest Forest Plan, adopted two decades ago to guide management on federal lands, is currently being revised as the region searches for a balance between sustainable timber yields and habitat for sensitive species. In addition, climate change imposes a high degree of uncertainty on future forest productivity, sustainability of timber harvest, wildfire risk, and species habitat. We evaluated the long-term, landscape-scale trade-offs among carbon (C) storage, timber yield, and old forest habitat given projected climate change and shifts in forest management policy across 2.1 million hectares of forests in the Oregon Coast Range. Projections highlight the divergence between private and public lands under business-as-usual forest management, where private industrial forests are heavily harvested and many public (especially federal) lands increase C and old forest over time but provide little timber. Three alternative management scenarios altering the amount and type of timber harvest show widely varying levels of ecosystem C and old-forest habitat. On federal lands, ecological forestry practices also allowed a simultaneous increase in old forest and natural early-seral habitat. The ecosystem C implications of shifts away from current practices were large, with current practices retaining up to 105 Tg more C than the alternative scenarios by the end of the century. Our results suggest climate change is likely to increase forest productivity by 30–41% and total ecosystem C storage by 11–15% over the next century as warmer winter temperatures allow greater forest productivity in cooler months. These gains in C storage are unlikely to be offset by wildfire under climate change, due to the legacy of management and effective fire suppression. Our scenarios of future conditions can inform policy makers, land managers, and the public about the potential effects of land management alternatives, climate change, and the trade-offs that are inherent to management and policy in the region. Title: Forest Management Scenarios in a Changing Climate: Trade-Offs Between Carbon, Timber, and Old Forest Author: Scheller, Robert M., Creutzburg, Megan K., Lucash, Melissa S., LeDuc, Stephen D., Johnson, Mark G. Year: 2017 Balancing economic, ecological, and social values has long been a challenge in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, where conflict over timber harvest and old-growth habitat on public lands has been contentious for the past several decades. The Northwest Forest Plan, adopted two decades ago to guide management on federal lands, is currently being revised as the region searches for a balance between sustainable timber yields and habitat for sensitive species. In addition, climate change imposes a high degree of uncertainty on future forest productivity, sustainability of timber harvest, wildfire risk, and species habitat. We evaluated the long-term, landscape-scale trade-offs among carbon (C) storage, timber yield, and old forest habitat given projected climate change and shifts in forest management policy across 2.1 million hectares of forests in the Oregon Coast Range. Projections highlight the divergence between private and public lands under business-as-usual forest management, where private industrial forests are heavily harvested and many public (especially federal) lands increase C and old forest over time but provide little timber. Three alternative management scenarios altering the amount and type of timber harvest show widely varying levels of ecosystem C and old-forest habitat. On federal lands, ecological forestry practices also allowed a simultaneous increase in old forest and natural early-seral habitat. The ecosystem C implications of shifts away from current practices were large, with current practices retaining up to 105 Tg more C than the alternative scenarios by the end of the century. Our results suggest climate change is likely to increase forest productivity by 30–41% and total ecosystem C storage by 11–15% over the next century as warmer winter temperatures allow greater forest productivity in cooler months. These gains in C storage are unlikely to be offset by wildfire under climate change, due to the legacy of management and effective fire suppression. Our scenarios of future conditions can inform policy makers, land managers, and the public about the potential effects of land management alternatives, climate change, and the trade-offs that are inherent to management and policy in the region. Close

• 16. [Article] Test abstract

  This is a test abstract and can be deleted at any time. -- Amy The time is ripe for Portland to take better care of our street trees! Broad Benefits and Value - We know that street trees keep our air ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Test abstract Author: chomowicz, amy Year: 2017 This is a test abstract and can be deleted at any time. -- Amy The time is ripe for Portland to take better care of our street trees! Broad Benefits and Value - We know that street trees keep our air and water cleaner and cooler, provide habitat, improve property values, and contribute to Portland’s reputation as a green, beautiful city. The human health benefits of trees (physical, mental, emotional) are increasingly well-documented by studies from across the country.[1] What other infrastructure provides this many benefits? Portland’s street trees are valued at about $0.5 billion, and each year provide millions of dollars-worth of health and infrastructure benefits! New City Livability Policies - Portland’s new and updated Climate Change-related plans and Comprehensive Plan herald the importance of Portland’s trees to city livability, and call for improved tree preservation, planting, and stewardship (i.e. maintenance). Community Support - Portlanders care about their street trees. They volunteer thousandsof hours each year to plant street trees with Friends of Trees, and committed thousands of hours to complete a recent street tree inventory. The Problem No Street/ROW Tree Maintenance & Stewardship Program – Unfortunately, unlike a number of other cities (e.g., San Francisco, Washington DC, Vancouver BC) Portland has no comprehensive program to care for the 230,000+ trees currently planted along our streets and rights-of-way. As a result, many street trees die sooner, aren’t as healthy as they could be, and are more prone to become public safety hazards and experience costly damage in storms. The lack of a comprehensive street tree maintenance program creates a real barrier to meeting City tree canopy goals. Portland residents and businesses, saddled with the responsibility to care for the street trees adjacent to their property, (including fixing broken sidewalks), are often unwilling to plant new street trees. These cost burdens are highest for those who can least afford it. And, a street tree maintenance program would provide a huge opportunity to create meaningful jobs for young and/or low-income Portlanders (e.g., Verde’s model street tree planting program which employs lower-income people to improve lower-income, tree-deficient neighborhoods). Ineffective Street Tree Preservation and Planting with Street Improvement and New Development Projects - The City experiences extensive, often needless loss of mature street trees when new street improvements and other development projects are designed and constructed. Further, new development projects often create insufficient space to plant new street trees, particularly in areas with dense development and busy streets, or in areas with un-improved or under-improved streets. And these areas need street tree planting and preservation most! Associated disparities and inequities – Both issues exacerbate the fact that some parts of the city have lots of trees, while others have very few trees. This in turn adds to the social, environmental, and economic inequities in our city. What’s next? Urban Forestry Commission Proposal - Portland’s Urban Forestry Commission (UFC) has asked the City Council to form an inter-bureau task force to work, over the next year or so, with community partners and make recommendations for 1) a comprehensive Street/ROW Tree Maintenance and Stewardship program, and 2) measures to improve street tree preservation and planting in conjunction new development and street improvements. Next Step – City Council Work Session - On May 10th, the City Council considered the UFC proposal, along with strong supporting testimony from community stakeholders. The City Council heard support for the expected benefits of the proposal, including improved public and urban forest health, livability and equity, reduced impacts of climate change, and more green jobs. The City Council unanimously 1) expressed interest in the issues, 2) accepted the UFC proposal, and 3) committed to work with key bureaus to schedule a follow up work session later this year. The work session goal is for the City Council to approve a work plan to move forward with the inter-bureau and community stakeholder collaboration outlined in the UFC proposal. The City Council Work Session is currently scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2017. [1] For a local study linking low urban tree canopy to poor birth outcomes in Portland see: https://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/39615 Title: Test abstract Author: chomowicz, amy Year: 2017 This is a test abstract and can be deleted at any time. -- Amy The time is ripe for Portland to take better care of our street trees! Broad Benefits and Value - We know that street trees keep our air and water cleaner and cooler, provide habitat, improve property values, and contribute to Portland’s reputation as a green, beautiful city. The human health benefits of trees (physical, mental, emotional) are increasingly well-documented by studies from across the country.[1] What other infrastructure provides this many benefits? Portland’s street trees are valued at about $0.5 billion, and each year provide millions of dollars-worth of health and infrastructure benefits! New City Livability Policies - Portland’s new and updated Climate Change-related plans and Comprehensive Plan herald the importance of Portland’s trees to city livability, and call for improved tree preservation, planting, and stewardship (i.e. maintenance). Community Support - Portlanders care about their street trees. They volunteer thousandsof hours each year to plant street trees with Friends of Trees, and committed thousands of hours to complete a recent street tree inventory. The Problem No Street/ROW Tree Maintenance & Stewardship Program – Unfortunately, unlike a number of other cities (e.g., San Francisco, Washington DC, Vancouver BC) Portland has no comprehensive program to care for the 230,000+ trees currently planted along our streets and rights-of-way. As a result, many street trees die sooner, aren’t as healthy as they could be, and are more prone to become public safety hazards and experience costly damage in storms. The lack of a comprehensive street tree maintenance program creates a real barrier to meeting City tree canopy goals. Portland residents and businesses, saddled with the responsibility to care for the street trees adjacent to their property, (including fixing broken sidewalks), are often unwilling to plant new street trees. These cost burdens are highest for those who can least afford it. And, a street tree maintenance program would provide a huge opportunity to create meaningful jobs for young and/or low-income Portlanders (e.g., Verde’s model street tree planting program which employs lower-income people to improve lower-income, tree-deficient neighborhoods). Ineffective Street Tree Preservation and Planting with Street Improvement and New Development Projects - The City experiences extensive, often needless loss of mature street trees when new street improvements and other development projects are designed and constructed. Further, new development projects often create insufficient space to plant new street trees, particularly in areas with dense development and busy streets, or in areas with un-improved or under-improved streets. And these areas need street tree planting and preservation most! Associated disparities and inequities – Both issues exacerbate the fact that some parts of the city have lots of trees, while others have very few trees. This in turn adds to the social, environmental, and economic inequities in our city. What’s next? Urban Forestry Commission Proposal - Portland’s Urban Forestry Commission (UFC) has asked the City Council to form an inter-bureau task force to work, over the next year or so, with community partners and make recommendations for 1) a comprehensive Street/ROW Tree Maintenance and Stewardship program, and 2) measures to improve street tree preservation and planting in conjunction new development and street improvements. Next Step – City Council Work Session - On May 10th, the City Council considered the UFC proposal, along with strong supporting testimony from community stakeholders. The City Council heard support for the expected benefits of the proposal, including improved public and urban forest health, livability and equity, reduced impacts of climate change, and more green jobs. The City Council unanimously 1) expressed interest in the issues, 2) accepted the UFC proposal, and 3) committed to work with key bureaus to schedule a follow up work session later this year. The work session goal is for the City Council to approve a work plan to move forward with the inter-bureau and community stakeholder collaboration outlined in the UFC proposal. The City Council Work Session is currently scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2017. [1] For a local study linking low urban tree canopy to poor birth outcomes in Portland see: https://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/39615 Close

• 17. [Article] Carbon Sequestration in Managed Temperate Coniferous Forests Under Climate Change

  Management of temperate forests has the potential to increase carbon sinks and mitigate climate change. However, those opportunities may be confounded by negative climate change impacts. We therefore need ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Carbon Sequestration in Managed Temperate Coniferous Forests Under Climate Change Author: Dymond, Caren C., Beukema, Sarah, Nitschke, Craig R., Coates, K. David, Scheller, Robert M. Year: 2016 Management of temperate forests has the potential to increase carbon sinks and mitigate climate change. However, those opportunities may be confounded by negative climate change impacts. We therefore need a better understanding of climate change alterations to temperate forest carbon dynamics before developing mitigation strategies. The purpose of this project was to investigate the interactions of species composition, fire, management, and climate change in the Copper–Pine Creek valley, a temperate coniferous forest with a wide range of growing conditions. To do so, we used the LANDIS-II modelling framework including the new Forest Carbon Succession extension to simulate forest ecosystems under four different productivity scenarios, with and without climate change effects, until 2050. Significantly, the new extension allowed us to calculate the net sector productivity, a carbon accounting metric that integrates aboveground and belowground carbon dynamics, disturbances, and the eventual fate of forest products. The model output was validated against literature values. The results implied that the species optimum growing conditions relative to current and future conditions strongly influenced future carbon dynamics. Warmer growing conditions led to increased carbon sinks and storage in the colder and wetter ecoregions but not necessarily in the others. Climate change impacts varied among species and site conditions, and this indicates that both of these components need to be taken into account when considering climate change mitigation activities and adaptive management. The introduction of a new carbon indicator, net sector productivity, promises to be useful in assessing management effectiveness and mitigation activities. Title: Carbon Sequestration in Managed Temperate Coniferous Forests Under Climate Change Author: Dymond, Caren C., Beukema, Sarah, Nitschke, Craig R., Coates, K. David, Scheller, Robert M. Year: 2016 Management of temperate forests has the potential to increase carbon sinks and mitigate climate change. However, those opportunities may be confounded by negative climate change impacts. We therefore need a better understanding of climate change alterations to temperate forest carbon dynamics before developing mitigation strategies. The purpose of this project was to investigate the interactions of species composition, fire, management, and climate change in the Copper–Pine Creek valley, a temperate coniferous forest with a wide range of growing conditions. To do so, we used the LANDIS-II modelling framework including the new Forest Carbon Succession extension to simulate forest ecosystems under four different productivity scenarios, with and without climate change effects, until 2050. Significantly, the new extension allowed us to calculate the net sector productivity, a carbon accounting metric that integrates aboveground and belowground carbon dynamics, disturbances, and the eventual fate of forest products. The model output was validated against literature values. The results implied that the species optimum growing conditions relative to current and future conditions strongly influenced future carbon dynamics. Warmer growing conditions led to increased carbon sinks and storage in the colder and wetter ecoregions but not necessarily in the others. Climate change impacts varied among species and site conditions, and this indicates that both of these components need to be taken into account when considering climate change mitigation activities and adaptive management. The introduction of a new carbon indicator, net sector productivity, promises to be useful in assessing management effectiveness and mitigation activities. Close