In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, ancient trees are increasingly exposed to the threats of climate change, including drought, wildfire, and invasive pests. Once believed to be resistant to such stressors, these giant sequoias are showing signs of vulnerability as weather extremes rise. Traditional forest management strategies, designed for stable ecosystems, are now inadequate due to unprecedented ecological shifts. Natural resource managers must adapt their approaches to anticipate rapid changes, consider complex interactions among ecosystem components, and safeguard these unique environments for future generations.
Scientists and park managers once thought giant sequoia forests were nearly impervious to stressors like wildfire, drought, and pests. Yet, even very large trees are proving vulnerable.
The rapid pace of climate change combined with threats like the spread of invasive species and diseases can affect ecosystems in ways that defy expectations based on past experiences.
Traditional management approaches focus on maintaining or restoring how ecosystems looked and functioned historically; however, that doesn't always work when ecosystems are subjected to new and rapidly shifting conditions.
To plan for an uncertain future, natural resource managers need to consider many different ways changes in climate can manifest in ecosystems.
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