Effects of drought on forests and rangelands in the United States: Translating science into management responses
Vose, JM; Peterson, DL; Luce, CH; Patel-Weynand, T
HERO ID
7267375
Reference Type
Technical Report
Year
2019
Language
English
| HERO ID | 7267375 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2019 |
| Title | Effects of drought on forests and rangelands in the United States: Translating science into management responses |
| Authors | Vose, JM; Peterson, DL; Luce, CH; Patel-Weynand, T |
| Publisher Text | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service |
| City | Washington, DC |
| Abstract | nthesis and provides region-specifc management options for increasing resilience to drought for Alaska and Pacifc Northwest, California, Hawai'i and U.S.-Affliated Pacifc Islands, Interior West, Great Plains, Northeast and Midwest, and Southeast. Ecological drought refers to the negative impacts of meteorological drought on ecosystem services, generally focused on observable changes (e.g., forest mortality, soil loss in rangelands), but less observable responses (e.g., lower plant productivity) can have observable changes and economic consequences over the long term. The magnitude of these impacts depends on the severity, duration, frequency, and spatial extent of drought events. A wide range of management options is available for minimizing the adverse impacts of drought when they occur, facilitating postdrought recovery, and creating ecosystem conditions that reduce negative impacts of future droughts. For forests, a common theme among regions is reducing water demand by managing stands at a lower density and favoring species that either require less water or can tolerate drought. Responses to hydrological drought include restoring riparian areas and wetlands to improve functionality, ensuring that aquatic habitats for fish and other organisms provide refugia and passage during low streamfow conditions, and carefully managing consumptive uses for livestock grazing, recreation, agriculture, and drinking water during droughts. For drought management to be effective, timely implementation is needed across large spatial scales, facilitated by coordination among agencies and stakeholders. Optimal responses can be developed by integrating existing policies and practices with new information and by timely reporting of current conditions. The following strategic actions will help institutionalize awareness of drought effects and drought responses in public and private land management: (1) establish and maintain relationships with providers of drought information, ( 2) include drought in collaborative efforts among agencies and stakeholders, (3) revise best management practices as needed, (4) implement drought in relevant planning processes, (5) establish long-term monitoring of drought effects, and ( 6) share information on effectiveness of drought responses. If drought-informed practices are institutionalized as part of agency operations, then planning and management will be more effective, and "crisis management" in response to drought can be avoided. |
| Doi | 10.2737/WO-GTR-98 |
| Wosid | ZOOR15612090037 |
| Report Number | Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-98 |
| Url | https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/59158 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Series | General Technical Report (GTR) |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
| Keyword | Adaptation; ecological drought; forests; hydrological drought; rangelands; resilience |