Restoring Broadleaved Forests in Southern Sweden as Climate Changes

Temperate broadleaved forests in southern Sweden are important for biodiversity and policies have, so far, been concentrated on protecting the few valuable forests that still remain. This approach is now being challenged by rapid climate change. Using a vegetation model, we present transient and potential long-term predictions for changes in the natural distribution of different tree species and forest composition. Our model analyses show that temperate broadleaved tree species will be able to be established further north than their present distribution. In addition, this region will probably be an area of high species turnover, with the loss of boreal species and gains of temperate species. New broadleaved forests need to be restored in order to enhance reintegration. Current forest policies may not be relevant under a climate change scenario. Research is needed in climate change impacts on species and habitats, habitat restoration, migration of species, alternative silvicultural systems and efficient regeneration systems. It would probably be too expensive for the society to rely only on governmental resources for sustainable landscape level restorations programs. Instead a pragmatic approach, which considers the economic aspects of private forest owners, as well as other goals, should be adopted. In addition, policies must be based on a holistic understanding of the interactions between management, climate change and biodiversity.