Prescribed fire, Big Cypress National Preserve. Photo: NPS.
Restoration strategies can include:
Develop and implement restoration protocols and techniques that promote ecosystem resilience and facilitate adaptation under a range of possible future conditions.
Restore or enhance areas that will provide essential habitat and ecosystem services during ecosystem transitions under a changing climate.
Restore disturbance regimes as appropriate to emerging conditions, including instituting human-assisted disturbance where necessary (e.g., prescribed fire).
Develop programs to encourage resilience through restoration of habitat features that provide natural buffers.
Redesign or mitigate existing physical barriers or structures that impede movement and dispersal within and among habitats to increase natural ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Consider climate change in post-fire or post-drought restoration/enhancement – emphasize use of plant species that will be robust to climate change.
Anticipate increased need for seed sources and propagated plants.
Maintain a seed inventory with high-quality seed for a range of species, particularly species that may do well in the future under hotter conditions.
