North Temperate and Boreal Forest Disturbances: The Challenges of Growing in the North

All forests undergo disturbances. North temperate and boreal forests in particular are subject to a broad array of disturbances varying in severity, frequency, and intensity, including those originating from biomass harvesting, fire, extreme and variable weather, atmospheric pollution, insect pests, and pathogens. Moreover, northern forests endure some of the largest seasonal temperature fluctuations and climate change-induced warming on earth. The consequences of disturbance and abruptly altered climate are far-reaching, and may include changes in carbon sequestration, forest production, nutrient cycling, biosphere-atmosphere interactions, and biodiversity. Fundamental knowledge centred on how climate change reshapes disturbances and thus northern forests is critical to informing management and to the validation and improvement of ecosystem and earth system models.
We invite submissions that advance understanding of how disturbance affects the ecology or biogeochemistry of north temperate and/or boreal forests. Contributions may span an array of disturbance- and climate change-related topics and employ observational, experimental, and/or modelling approaches. In accordance with the theme of the journal, authors should place their research findings within the broader context of global change.