Modeling the forest dynamics of the Sierra Nevada under climate change using SORTIE-ND

Key message Model simulation results suggest that forests in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California will tend to increase in density and basal area in the absence of fire over the next century, and that climate change will favor increases in drought-tolerant species. Context Climate change is projected to intensify the natural summer drought period for Mediterranean-climate forests. Such changes may increase tree mortality, change species interactions and composition, and impact ecosystem services. Aims To parameterize SORTIE-ND, an individual-based, spatially explicit forest model, for forests in the Sierra Nevada, and to model forest responses to climate change. Methods We use 3 downscaled GCM projections (RCP 8.5) to project forest dynamics for 7 sites at different elevations. Results Basal area and stem density tended to increase in the absence of fire. Climate change effects differed by species, with more drought-tolerant species such as Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi A.Murray bis) and black oak (Quercus kelloggii Newb.) exhibiting increases in basal area and/or density. Conclusion Increasing forest density may favor carbon sequestration but could increase the risk of high-severity fires. Future analyses should include improved parameterization of reproduction and interactions of disturbance with climate effects.

Automated summary

Model simulations predict that forests in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California will increase in density and basal area in the absence of fire, with climate change favoring drought-tolerant species. The study highlights the need for ongoing research to better understand the effects of increasing forest density on carbon sequestration and the risk of high-severity fires.