Protect future-adapted seedlings and saplings

As climate change increases direct and indirect stressors on forest ecosystems, it becomes increasingly important to ensure adequate regeneration of tree species following disturbance-induced canopy cover loss in order to recover forest productivity and carbon sequestration capacity. Seedlings and saplings are generally more sensitive than older growth stages to changes in temperature, soil moisture, herbivory, physical disturbance, and other stressors. Protection of seedlings or saplings of existing or newly migrated species can strongly shape ways in which communities adapt and lead to increased biomass and ecosystem carbon stocks into the future.

Ecosystems may face significant impacts as a result of climate-related alterations in disturbances, including fire, invasive species, and severe weather events. Although disturbances are primary drivers of many ecosystems, changes in disturbance frequency, severity, extent, or duration may have important implications for the carbon balance of many forest ecosystems. Although many disturbances are not possible to predict, land managers can increase the preparedness of ecosystems for large and severe disturbance and prioritize rapid response to mitigate impacts on carbon. Adequate planning in advance of disturbance may facilitate earlier or more flexible response and prevent maladaptive responses that reduce or delay carbon recovery rates. This strategy involves consideration of various approaches that enhance the recovery of ecosystems, augmenting the ability of plant communities to initiate carbon sequestration quickly following disturbance.