Australia's Forests - Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change impacts
Research activities & reports

Forests are an important part of Australia's landscape and provide many benefits to society. They provide habitat for animals and plants, and are important for protecting our water and soil resources. They also supply the resource base for one of Australia's largest manufacturing industries, providing wood for housing, furniture and paper products, and making a significant contribution to employment and export earnings for Australia.

The forestry industry has adapted to Australian conditions, with rainfall in particular being a key driver for plantation location and tree species selection.

Adapting to climate change

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide will lead to physiological changes to forests that may be beneficial to forest growth. However, in Australia it is expected that there will also be a decrease in water and nutrient availability, increasing the limitations to forest growth. In addition, forest systems already under stress from salinity, fragmentation and/or competing demands for water are expected to be less resilient to climate change impacts. Changes in disturbance regimes such as fire and pests are likely to affect species composition and distribution, leading to adverse impacts on forest biodiversity. The impacts of climate change are expected to affect Australia's native forests, as well as commercial forest enterprises.

Forests currently play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through sequestration of carbon dioxide. However, it remains uncertain how climate change may influence the ability of forest systems to reduce emissions through this process.

Tree species have adapted naturally to past changes in climate. However, the rate of climate change is increasing, and this is placing additional stresses on the adaptive capacity of individual species. Some tree species may be able to physiologically adapt to changed conditions, while others may not. It is expected that species with current restricted distributions will be particularly vulnerable, while species with broader climate tolerances may be able to adapt more easily.

Diagram indicating the extent of state forests. Climate change impacts will affect both Australia's native forests and plantation forests.

Climate change impacts

The projected changes in Australia's climate are expected to affect forests in a number of different ways.

Potential forest impacts
Elevated carbon dioxide
Increased forest productivity (subject to water and nutrient availability) Reduction in the nutritional quality of forest foliage Increased water use efficiency
Altered rainfall patterns
Changes in tree species distribution Decreased forest productivity in regions where rainfall decreases Increased storm frequency and intensity leading to increases in forest damage
Increases in temperature
Changes in tree species distribution Changes in forest biodiversity Increased forest productivity subject to moisture and nutrient availability Decreased forest productivity due to increased evaporation leading to reduced water availability
Increases in frequency and intensity of bushfires
Increased forest damage Decline in forest biodiversity Increased greenhouse gas emissions from forests
Changes to pests and pathogens
Increased forest damage Decline in forest biodiversity Reduction in forest productivity
Increased drought
Reduced forest productivity

Reports and research activities

Impacts of Climate Change on Carbon Fluxes in Australian Forests - 2006
Carbon Dioxide Fertilisation and Climate Change Policy - 2005
Blueprint for Australian terrestrial carbon cycle research - 2005