Adaptation to Changes: emerging forest ecosystems in a changing CLIMate

Oak forests are economically and ecologically important and their suitable climatic niche is rapidly expanding northwards. Future projections indicate that the rate of change will accelerate, which will create opportunities for expansion.

It is therefore vital to increase the knowledge about how to grow and manage oak forests in ways that do not jeopardize but promote overall biodiversity.

In this interdisciplinary project we will i) compile current knowledge about oak forest distributions and range shifts, and identify current and future threats and opportunities, and ii) gather genetic, ecological, and environmental data for 24 forests in nemoral och hemiboreal zone including three oak species and representing natural forests, experimental stands and oak truffle forests.

We will use a predictive modelling framework to understand current, reconstruct past and predict future oak forest ecosystems in southern Sweden.

Besides illuminating the possibilities and risks for oaks in current and future climates, this will allow us to determine whether: high biodiversity is associated with increased adaptability and resistance; some oak varieties are better predisposed to cope with climate change; services are influenced by forest and climate characteristics, and whether it is possible to meet production demands while preserving nature values.

This knowledge will be pivotal to design climate focused long-term sustainable oak forest management.