Chapter 4 Habitats
4.4.15.4 Climate Change Compared to Other Threats Climate change is far from the most significant threat to Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests. Similar Oak Forests range well to the south of North Carolina where conditions are similar to predicted future climate conditions. Direct effects of the warmer climate on these communities are likely to be limited and may even reduce some of the increase in mesophytic species. If fires increase, this may be beneficial, but an increase in intense fire would be harmful. Most fires that will occur will be from controlled burning, but weather conditions that make burning more difficult will be detrimental as it limits application opportunities. Most or all rare plants in this group are likely to benefit from more canopy openings and more fire. Table 4.4.15-1 summarizes the comparison of climate change with other existing threats.
Table 4.4.15-1 Climate change compared to other threats to Piedmont and Coastal Plain oak forests.
Rank Order
Threat
Comments
The extensive examples in the Piedmont and the more limited range examples in the Coastal Plain continue to be rapidly destroyed by ongoing urban, suburban, rural, residential, and commercial development. Continued population growth makes this the most severe threat in the current and the future climate. However, the fragmentation and loss of extent will increase the alteration caused by climate change, as isolated communities are unable to migrate, and species are unable to move to more favorable sites. Typical past logging practices, both high-grading and clearcutting, have had negative impacts on forest structure and composition, often converting Oak Forest to other types. Incentives for logging practices geared toward restoration rather than purely short-term financial objectives will reduce (but not eliminate) the negative impacts of logging. While many examples harvested in the past regenerated as Oak Forests, many harvested at present become dominated by successional pine, maple, or other hardwoods and it is unclear if oak dominance will return. The loss of old trees caused by increased disturbance coupled with future climate conditions will exacerbate impacts caused by timber harvest. Demand for biofuels may reduce timber rotations and may provide incentives to harvest additional areas that have not been commercially viable.
Development
1
Extractive Uses/ Timber Harvest
2
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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