Keynote Address

Setting the Tone: An Overview of Climate Change and Oaks

David Ackerly, Dean and Professor, College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley

California’s oaks range from the desert’s edge to the wet forests of the northwest and the slopes of the high Sierra. Collectively, they have survived multiple ice ages, changing fire regimes, episodic drought, and land use transformation. Individually, the distributions of the various species reflect adaptations to the contrasting climates, soils, and fire regimes of different parts of the state. But, a changing climate, recent droughts and intense fires have triggered mortality and die back events, as well as range shifts and changes in forest composition. This talk will highlight emerging insights into the current and projected impacts of climate change and fire, and the implications for conservation and management strategies in the 21st century.