Vegetation-Climate Mismatch

Warming climatic conditions over the last century have led to observable shifts in the spatial organization of dominant tree species in California’s Sierra Nevada. Little is known, however, about the extent to which these shifts have tracked the magnitude of climate change. This study maps Vegetation Climate Mismatch in the Sierra Nevada—areas where climate change has left trees in climatic conditions where they have not historically occurred. Different vegetation types support different wildfire regimes, ecosystems, and ecosystem services. Our maps will be useful for anticipating vegetation transitions and informing long-term wildfire and ecosystem management across the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

Due to climate change, plant populations experience environmental conditions to which they are not adapted. Our understanding of the …

Wildfires are passing the threshold from existential necessity to existential threat for ecosystems around the world.

Identifying Vegetation-Climate Mismatch in Sierra Nevada conifer forests and its impact on vegetation transitions and fire regime.