Key Messages
Forest companies already manage the same risks over a long planning horizon through adaptive risk management; climate change is expected to exacerbate existing risks
Forestry has a different impact profile and planning horizon to the other land-based sectors, given its relatively slow biological response rate and long harvest cycle.
The most certain direct impact of climate change is increased yield of radiata pine in many plantations
Under climate change, forestry also faces less predictable – but expected – increases in risk from indirect impacts, pests and diseases, fire and extreme storms, which may reduce productivity and compromise wood quality.
Foresters have a range of tactical management options – such as silviculture and site and species selection – or interventions, like spraying and ongoing monitoring. Once production forests are established, options and opportunities for adaptation to site-specific impacts are reduced.