In the article linked below, Kat Kerlin from UC Davis explores the question of what makes a forest resilient.
What does a “resilient” forest look like in California’s Sierra Nevada?
A lot fewer trees! Current forest conditions from fire suppression have led to 6-7x more trees in our forests. And these trees are competing for resources in a climate that is drier and hotter than before. These low-density stands eliminate tree competition, allowing a greater resilience to wildfire, drought, and bark beetle infestations.
What does resilience even mean?
The authors developed this working definition: “Resilience is a measure of the forest’s adaptability to a range of stresses [not just one] and reflects the functional integrity of the ecosystem.”
Click this link: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/just-what-resilient-forest-anyway to learn more about how trees compete with one another, the effects of recent droughts on tree survival, and why decreasing tree density is essential for the future of our forests.