Southern Foresters' Climate Observations: State Comparisons and Spatial Trends

Climate change beliefs and concerns are well documented for the American public, but fewer studies focus on the perceptions and adaptation needs of key groups involved in management of natural resources. A survey of professional foresters in the southern United States found that southern foresters observed an overall change in climate, longer dry periods or drought conditions, greater frequency and/or severity of invasive plant infestations, warmer winters, and hotter summers with the highest frequency. Other examples of climatic change (e.g., greater frequency and/or severity of fires) was observed frequently only in select states. A spatial analysis of foresters’ responses provided evidence that observations of climatic change are generally observed with higher frequency by foresters from Oklahoma, Florida, and Kentucky.