Projecting forest composition and carbon dynamics in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A.
February 26, 2014 @ 12:20 pm
to 12:45 pm
Danelle Laflower, Penn State
104 Forest Resources Building
Urbanization and succession in the absence of fire have dramatically altered the landscape of the Puget Trough area of the Pacific Northwest. Of particular consequence is the loss of savannas and prairies due to encroachment by Douglas-fir. These priority habitats harbor declining and rare species. I will be simulating multiple management strategies for Joint Base Lewis-McChord, to explore potential carbon sequestration and tradeoffs associated with maintaining Oregon white oaks and habitat diversity over short, intermediate, and long time periods. I will also be looking at the system s resilience to potential climate changes by exploring thresholds, and projecting changes over time.