Project Area

1. Large stream floodplain and riparian forest occurs as a complex of wetland and upland vegetation associated with the Cuyahoga River where topography and alluvial processes have resulted in a well-developed floodplain. Common species include silver maple, eastern cottonwood, pin oak, red maple, black willow, sycamore, sweetgum, green ash, American hornbeam, black walnut, American elm, boxelder, and red oak.
2. Dry/mesic oak forest includes two matrix-forming oak-dominated systems that are only weakly differentiated and occupies more area than any other in the Central Appalachians. Common species include white oak, black oak, northern red oak, scarlet oak, red maple, pignut hickory, mockernut hickory, shagbark hickory, sugar maple, American beech, black gum, and tulip tree.
3. North-central interior beech-maple forest primarily occurs in the glaciated portion of Ohio, where varying microtopography and moisture regimes create mixed communities of upland and lowland species. Common species include sugar maple, American beech, northern red oak, American basswood, eastern hemlock, black cherry, tulip tree, red maple, white ash, and eastern hophornbeam.
Management Goals

Broad management goals include:
- Convert 85 acres of degraded field habitats (with many invasive species) to mature forest with diverse species and structure;
- Reconnect and enlarge core forest blocks;
- Selectively thin and underplant 10 acres of young, even-aged forest;
- Minimize invasive species to reduce negative effects on disturbance regimes and ecological processes (e.g., forest regeneration, clean water, and soil health).

Climate Change Impacts
The project area will likely be affected by significant climate changes over the next century:
Greater drought stress will weaken mature trees and increase mortality of seedlings.
The Kurowski site will likely experience greater erosion of headwater streams, while the Cull site may experience flooding from the Cuyahoga River.
Soil moisture patterns may change, with possible drought stress later in the growing season.
Both sites currently have invasive species and these are expected to increase or become more damaging.
The dominant species in the study area are projected to decline under climate change. The Cull site will require a new species mix to retain resilience.
Challenges and Opportunities
Climate change will present challenges and opportunities for accomplishing the management objectives of this project, including:
Challenges
Increased drought stress will increase mortality of tree seedlings and threaten the establishment of current dominant tree species in this community.
American Sycamore, eastern cottonwood, swamp white oak (dominant species in this habitat) are predicted to decline.
The restoration site is in the floodplain of the Cuyahoga River and more extreme flood events will threaten establishment of seedlings.
Invasive species will thrive with decreased flood return interval, and possibly out-compete native regeneration.
Opportunities
Dry/mesic species (eg. white oak, northern red oak, several hickory species) are predicted to not change or increase in abundance and importance under climate change models.
Increased temperature and drought will make fuels more flammable and increase the likelihood of natural fires that can be tools to help manage invasive species.
Some invasive species (eg. garlic mustard and Japanese stiltgrass) are susceptible to drought and some native species may have a leg up on these species in a more droughty climate.
Increase tree mortality from forest pests will drive an influx of large woody debris on the forest floor that can reduce erosive energy of surface flow.
Adaptation Actions
Project participants used the Adaptation Workbook to develop several adaptation actions for this project, including:
Area/Topic
Approach
Tactics
Large stream floodplain and riparian forest
2.2. Prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive plant species and remove existing invasive species.
8.1. Use seeds, germplasm, and other genetic material from across a greater geographic range.
8.2. Favor existing genotypes that are better adapted to future conditions.
9.6. Manage for species and genotypes with wide moisture and temperature tolerances.
9.7. Introduce species that are expected to be adapted to future conditions.
8.1. Use seeds, germplasm, and other genetic material from across a greater geographic range.
8.2. Favor existing genotypes that are better adapted to future conditions.
9.6. Manage for species and genotypes with wide moisture and temperature tolerances.
9.7. Introduce species that are expected to be adapted to future conditions.
Plant a diverse mix of species that is adapted to future climate, such as planting species with a wide geographic and climatic range, genotypes from further south, and southern species.
Perform targeted control priority invasive species particularly in and around sensitive habitat such as riparian areas, wetlands and steep slopes.
Evaluate and release biocontrol agents for most disruptive invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard.
Dry/mesic oak forest and North-central interior beech-maple forest
1.1 Reduce impacts to soils and nutrient cycling.
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.
8.1. Use seeds, germplasm, and other genetic material from across a greater geographic range.
8.2. Favor existing genotypes that are better adapted to future conditions.
9.6. Manage for species and genotypes with wide moisture and temperature tolerances.
9.7. Introduce species that are expected to be adapted to future conditions.
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.
8.1. Use seeds, germplasm, and other genetic material from across a greater geographic range.
8.2. Favor existing genotypes that are better adapted to future conditions.
9.6. Manage for species and genotypes with wide moisture and temperature tolerances.
9.7. Introduce species that are expected to be adapted to future conditions.
Plant a diverse mix of species that is adapted to future climate, such as planting species with a wide geographic and climatic range, genotypes from further south, and southern species.
Use prescribed fire to control invasive species and maintain an open forest understory that is conducive to oak-hickory regeneration.
Perform targeted control of priority invasive species particularly in and around sensitive habitat such as riparian areas, wetlands and steep slopes.
Evaluate and release biocontrol agents for most disruptive invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard.
Use selective thinning to promote species predicted to do well while thinning out species (i.e., American Beech, red maple) that are predicted to do poorly.
Monitoring
Project participants identified several monitoring items that could help inform future management, including:
A goal of 70% seedling survival of all desired individuals;
Between 65% and 90% stocking ratio. If below 65% this triggers replanting or protecting seedlings, if over 90% this triggers selective thinning of stand;
Structural diversity based on calculation of shannon index for species, height class, and combined calculations using seedling diversity and heights, sapling diversity and height, overstory forest inventory (species, count, basal area), canopy cover.
Less than 20% cover of invasive species in all habitat types;
Soil compaction and infiltration rate at dry/mesic oak site