Approach
Climate change is likely to increase the rate of spread of invasive species. Early detection and rapid response will be very important as opportunities for new invaders increase. Urban areas are especially susceptible to introduction and spread of invasives because of horticultural practices, nutrient loading, high levels of disturbance, and moderated microclimate.
Tactics
- Urban natural areas: Managing and monitoring natural area buffers to limit access of invasive plants to high-quality areas
- Urban natural areas: Limiting the spread of invasive species introduced through recreational activities (e.g., boot brushes at trailheads).
- All urban sites: Responding rapidly with stewards and volunteers to limit the spread of invasive species upon introduction
- All urban sites: Limiting use of known invaders in horticultural plantings (especially in and around natural areas) through partnerships with homeowners, municipalities, and park districts.
- All urban sites: Training local land managers, landowners, volunteers, and organizations to recognize possible threats and to report them to appropriate agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Cooperative Weed Management Areas.
- All urban sites: Working with local resources such as master gardener programs to educate the public about potential impacts and how to report them to the appropriate agencies.
Strategy
Strategy Text
Climate change may result in increases in biological stressors such as pests, pathogens, and invasive plant species. Urban areas are especially prone to attacks by nonnative pests and pathogens. Pests that are currently limited by cold temperatures or growing season (e.g., hemlock woolly adelgid in New England) could also affect urban areas sooner than surrounding rural areas due to the effects of the urban heat island. Reducing or eliminating stressors that might make a tree more susceptible to new or existing pests or pathogens will be important to maintaining forests in urban areas.
Swanston, C.W.; Janowiak, M.K.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler, P.R.; Handler, S.D.; Shannon, P.D.; Derby Lewis, A.; Hall, K.; Fahey, R.T.; Scott, L.; Kerber, A.; Miesbauer, J.W.; Darling, L.; 2016. Forest Adaptation Resources: climate change tools and approaches for land managers, 2nd ed. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 161 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-87-2