Climate Resilience
Nature-based Solutions for Protecting Forests
Municipal Officials & Professionals
Backyard & Neighborhoods
Land Managers or Stewards
Youth, Parents & Teachers
Forests are one of most important local resources we have to aid our effort to create more climate resilient communities. Forests absorb stormwater and slow runoff. They provide us with clean water, clean air, biodiversity, forest products, and recreational opportunities. They are a critical component of our ecosystem. Additionally, they remove (sequester) carbon from the atmosphere and store it (above and below ground). Massachusetts is currently 62% forest cover, the 8th most forested state in the US, and the 3rd most densely populated state. However, forest cover in Massachusetts is decreasing and this means our environment’s quality is being diminished and that carbon is being lost to the atmosphere.
The Strategies and Nature-based Solutions are applicable to any forest owner, whether a small backyard stand or large tracts of forestlands, with the exception of permanent protection programs that have specific requirements.
Nature-based Solution Idea 1:
Permanently Protect Existing Forestlands
- Place a conservation restriction or easement on forestlands
- Place forests in US Forest Service Forest Legacy Program
- Sell/donate forestland to a municipality, state, or conservation organization for permanent protection, including Wildlands designation if appropriate
- For temporary protection: place forests under MA Chapter 61 Forest Stewardship Program
Nature-based Solution Idea 2:
Encourage Old-Growth Characteristics
- Preserve older and larger trees
- Leave downed wood and debris
- Limit soil disturbance
Nature-based Solution Idea 3:
Manage Invasive Plants and Pests
- Monitor forests for invasive plants and pests
- Remove invasive plants
- Report and treat invasive pests
Tips and Resources to Protect and Steward Forests
Idea 1: Permanently Protect Existing Forestlands
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Idea 2: Encourage Old-Growth Characteristics
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Numerous scientific studies point to the importance of forests in storing carbon, by accumulating carbon in their wood and actively capturing carbon in their soils. Forests with old growth characteristics also provide the highest level of landscape diversity and ecological value.
For managed forests, including smaller woodlots, such as the typical landowner is more likely to own and manage, the opportunity exists to restore old growth characteristics as a Nature-based Solution through modern forestry practices such as:
- leave “legacy” trees and very large trees 25+ inches diameter;
- leave large standing dead trees;
- leave large downed logs;
- allow for long-term accumulation of coarse woody material;
- support multi-aged trees and a variety of species;
- allow and create gaps in the canopy; and
- limit soil disturbance during forest management.
Table and image above adapted from UMass Amherst Outreach Extension’s “Restoring Old Growth Characteristics” by Paul Catanzaro and Anthony D’Amato.
Idea 3: Manage Invasive Plants and Pests
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Our changing climate conditions are making our region more habitable for invasive species of plants and insects. A species is considered invasive if it is not native to the area and it is likely to cause damaging disruption to native ecosystems. These invasives can overrun native landscapes, destroy food and habitat for native wildlife, and even cause the death of trees, crops, and swaths of forests. Think of Dutch elm disease that ended the dominance of elm trees on main streets and in yards across the country. It is important to learn to recognize these invasives, appropriately remove invasive plants from your property, and to assist in the eradication of invasive insects to prevent their spread.
Invasive Plants
Learn about managing invasive plants.
Invasive Pests
There is extensive information about invasive pests such as the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Woolly Adelgid, Emerald Ash Borer, on the MA Department of Agricultural Resources’ website Introduced Pests Outreach Project. The site has Fact Sheets on each species with information on life cycle, what host plants they prefer, photos for identification, and resources. Please note, it’s very important to report some of these pests to MDAR, using their online reporting system, to aid state-wide efforts to eradicate these pests and prevent further spread. Additional resources:
USDA National Invasive Species Information Center – searchable by state
UMass Amherst Extension Service- Invasive Insects
NH Department of Agriculture Invasive Insects
UNH Extension Service- Invasive Species
Image credits:
Closeup of woolly adelgid – Beatriz Moisset, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Asian longhorned beetle- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons