WASHINGTON, - A recent Forest Service determination finds climate change could affect the distribution and diversity of plants and animals in the United States. In an update of the 2000 Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment (US Forest Service 2001) conducted by the Forest Service, 15 key findings have emerged since the publication of the original assessment. on the status and trends of natural resources of U.S. forests and rangelands."Knowing the current conditions of our forests and rangelands helps land managers and private property owners make informed decisions about how to best manage their land," said Ann Bartuska, Deputy Chief of Research and Development for the Forest Service. "This year's assessment update provides an understanding of how outside influences are affecting forests and rangelands."
U.S. Forests can also play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Use of wood products in place of alternative products can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Growing shade trees around buildings can reduce energy use. Large scale cellulosic ethanol production from wood may become an economically viable option for offsetting fossil fuel emissions.
An assessment of U.S. forests and rangelands is mandated every 10 years by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974. The last RPA Assessment was released in 2001. The Forest Services releases an interim update during the 10 year cycle. In addition to providing information on forest and rangeland conditions, the assessment identifies factors that affect natural resource conditions.
The Interim Update of the 200 Renewable Resources Planning Act Assessment and related information can be found at www.fs.fed.us/research/rpa.
Forests play a critical role in protecting the U.S. water supply.
About 53% of the nation’s water supply originates on forest land, 26% on agricultural land, and 8% on range land.
About 24% of the water supply in the contiguous 48 states originates on Federal land, and 18% from land managed by the Forest Service, even though the National Forest System occupies only 11% of the surface area.
Water withdrawals in the U.S. have nearly leveled off in recent decades and are projected to increase less than 10% between 2000 and 2050, despite a projected population increase of over 40%.
However, in some regions of the country, water scarcity is an increasing concern both for meeting future human demands and protecting the integrity of ecosystems.
Climate change is affecting natural environments.
Climate change has the potential to fundamentally alter the distribution of U.S. forest and rangelands, their productivity, species diversity, and ability to support ecosystem services.
Future climate scenarios and ecological models suggest that climate change could increase productivity of U.S. forest and rangelands in the short term, and shift the distribution of plants and animals in the long term.
Options for forest sector adaptations include interregional migration of productive capacity, substitution between wood and non-wood products, and changes in forest stand management.
Increased seasonal fluctuations in climate strongly influence the abundance of water resources and the demand for energy.
http://www.fs.fed.us/research/rpa/2005rpa/Key_Msg_Talk_Pts_RPA_Update_112807.doc