Project Area
This project covers approximately 3,000 acres of privately-owned forest land in northern New Jersey (the exact location is withheld for privacy reasons). The majority of the property is forested upland characterized by mid-successional, closed-canopy forest, especially stands adjacent to shrub/scrub or emergent wetland habitats. Due a combination of past management, fire suppression, and natural succession, this forest type is beginning to shift from oak/hickory to northern hardwoods. Deer populations have been managed on this property through a Quality Deer Management Program over the last ten years.
The current management plan is to improve the overall quality, health, and vigor of the forest, and to restore early-successional habitat for the state-endangered golden-winged warbler (and other species utilizing this niche). Ongoing management actions include a variable retention harvest that retained 10 to 15 song perch trees per acre preceded by invasive plant removal. After 6-7 years, the quality seed bed provides a source for native plants, and there is aggressive stump-sprouting. Post-harvest regeneration surveys confirmed distinct areas dominated by maple and birch or oak and hickory. The golden-winged warbler was not yet observed. Many rare bird species including the yellow-breasted chat, a state species of concern, were observed using young regeneration.
The current management plan is to improve the overall quality, health, and vigor of the forest, and to restore early-successional habitat for the state-endangered golden-winged warbler (and other species utilizing this niche). Ongoing management actions include a variable retention harvest that retained 10 to 15 song perch trees per acre preceded by invasive plant removal. After 6-7 years, the quality seed bed provides a source for native plants, and there is aggressive stump-sprouting. Post-harvest regeneration surveys confirmed distinct areas dominated by maple and birch or oak and hickory. The golden-winged warbler was not yet observed. Many rare bird species including the yellow-breasted chat, a state species of concern, were observed using young regeneration.
Management Goals
Specific tactics were identified that increased resilience of the oak/hickory forest. Benefits of specific tactics (see table below) include:
- Improving light conditions on the forest floor
- Reducing seed source for maple/beech/birch regeneration
- Reducing mortality of oak during periods of drought
Climate Change Impacts
The potential effects of future climate on forests in New Jersey and the broader Mid-Atlantic Region include:
Warmer temperatures, drier soils in the summer months
Projected decrease in suitable habitat for red maple, black birch, sugar maple, and American beech
Potential increase in invasive plants
Increased precipitation, but a shift toward more intense events and longer periods between events
Increased disturbance from wind and storms
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
The Climate Change Tree Atlas predicts sharp declines in suitable habitat for many of the northern hardwood species
Regeneration and the long-term viability of northern hardwoods may be threatened by increases in temperature, seasonal soil moisture deficits, or more frequent drought conditions
Opportunities
The climate Change Tree Atlas predicts increases or stability in suitable habitat for oak and hickory species
A possible benefit for oaks would be reduced competition from northern hardwoods
Adaptation Actions
Staff from Gracie and Harrigan Consulting Foresters used Forest Adaptation Resources: Climate Change Tools and Approaches for Land Managers to identify actions to enhance the adaptive capacity of the property. A consulting forester first identified an overall approach to managing this stand under changing conditions: restoring the oak and hickory component of this forest while simultaneously reducing the northern hardwood component.
Area/Topic
Approach
Tactics
Upland Oak/Northern Hardwood Forest
1.5. Restore or maintain fire in fire-adapted ecosystems.
2.1. Maintain or improve the ability of forests to resist pests and pathogens.
2.2. Prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive plant species and remove existing invasive species.
2.1. Maintain or improve the ability of forests to resist pests and pathogens.
2.2. Prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive plant species and remove existing invasive species.
Intermediate treatment to reduce maple/beech/birch component and stimulate resprouting of woody understory
Retain coarse woody materials at least 3 feet in height during thinning or harvesting to encourage or protect oak regeneration.
Conduct pre-harvest invasive plant control and increase frequency of monitoring and control
Spray for gypsy moth to prevent two consecutive years of defoliation
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Keywords
Fire and fuels
Insect pests
Invasive species
Upland hardwoods