Challenges and opportunities for the operationalization of forest-assisted migration in Canada

As temperatures increase and suitable forest habitat shift faster than trees can adapt, the impacts of climate change threaten forest health and productivity. Forest-assisted migration (FAM) is a key adaptive forest management tool used to mitigate the effects of climate change by facilitating the movement of tree species or populations to more suitable environments. FAM is guided by climate-based distribution seed transfer models and climate-growth projection models to inform planting stock for reforestation and species conservations. However, large-scale reforestation projects are limited by challenges of the operationalization of FAM. In this synthesis paper, we review these limitations within Canada, including (a) limited provenance trials and data focused on commercial species, often within narrow climate ranges and soil types, (b) lack of infrastructure, storage capacity, and budgets to meet tree seed demand, (c) research and operational practices limited by knowledge transfer and discoverability of data, (d) uncertainties of successful seedling establishment in changing climates, and (e) lack of clear policy guidelines and risk management strategies. We suggest opportunities and a path forward whereby researchers and policy makers can focus efforts to advance FAM towards national-scale operationalization to help meet tree-planting objectives and climate change adaptation goals.