Implications of climate change for forests, vegetation and carbon in Australia

摘要

The extent and severity of threats to forests and other vegetation, including those posed by drought, fire, flood, storms, weeds, pests and diseases, are likely to increase under climate change in coming decades (Chakraborty, 2005; Dunlop & Brown, 2008; Garrett et al, 2006; IPCC, 2007).The impact of climate change on pests and diseases is likely to be highly variable, with some changes favouring the spread of certain species and hindering others. In Australia, pests and diseases adapted to warmer conditions are likely to extend their distributions south and to higher elevations. Well-planned management actions could help reduce the spread of some species.The monitoring and surveillance of Australia's forests and other vegetation will be important components of risk management and must be capable of providing early warning of impending threats. Coupled with increasingly accurate climate models, an effective monitoring and surveillance system will enable a better understanding of such threats and assist with the adoption of anticipatory risk mitigation measures. Information on threats will assist future planning, including on the prudent use of silvicultural practices.