Ecosystems respond to disturbances (such as wildfire) and changing climate in a variety of ways, including persistence, recovery, and reorganization into new combinations. Some species respond by migrating across the landscape over time, which allows them to keep up with changing climate. Many forests recover after wildfire by regenerating from seeds, and public land managers often assist these processes to help ecosystems recover. However, the success of all of these strategies depends on young plants (seedlings and saplings) surviving, often when exposed to harsh conditions following fires, including prolonged droughts, heat waves, and rising temperatures.
In this project, researchers will study how well young trees can tolerate harsh drought, heat waves, and rising temperature conditions. The team will also gather related information about seedling responses to extreme drought and heat conditions that can be used in computer simulation models to assess how future landscapes might change. An important part of the project includes engaging directly with public land managers in the Southwestern US, who can use this information to design sustainable land management and climate adaptation strategies.
