Work

Boreal forests at risk: Absence of climate perspectives in current management policies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Boreal forests influence climate both biogeochemically through carbon uptake and biogeophysically through evapotranspiration, turbulent fluxes and albedo, and are in turn impacted by climate through biotic and abiotic damages. This systematic literature review and qualitative narrative policy review and analysis aims to get a better insight into the discrepancy between policy and science on forestry action to mitigate climate warming in high latitude jurisdictions. We identify climate effects on and from forests with corresponding management options in a systematic review of scientific literature following PRISMA guidelines. These results were combined with a qualitative policy review and analysis to identify the climate and forestry policies from all boreal-to-Arctic jurisdictions and determine how (many of) these climate effects ended up in forest and climate policy. There is mounting evidence that in boreal regions, albedo-driven warming can partially offset, and in some contexts be comparable to, carbon-driven cooling; the balance varies by season, forest type and disturbance history. However, although all analysed jurisdictions (Alaska, Canada, European Union, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Russia) recognise the forests' role in carbon uptake, none recognise the albedo effect, and none translate these climate effect into binding regulatory measures. Nor do most of the jurisdictions take into account possible risk of climate-related damages. This might lead to ineffective and even adverse forest and climate measures. Our study emphasises a need for more evidence-based and comprehensive climate and forestry policies and regulations, along with a proactive approach to adopting these measures swiftly. Graphical abstract. Climate effects on and from forests as included only in scientific literature (left), in scientific literature and boreal-to-Arctic non-regulatory policies and visions (middle) and named in scientific literature, boreal-to-Arctic non-regulatory policies and visions, and translated into boreal-to-Arctic regulatory measures. Effects on the boundary are only included in a few countries. • Warming from albedo loss can offset cooling from carbon uptake in boreal forests. • Damages due to climate (change) put high-latitude forest climate mitigation at risk. • Full climate perspective absent from boreal-to-Arctic climate and forestry policy. • Adverse effects possible with failure to include full climate effects.

Source: Forest Policy and Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2026.103713

Authors: Els Ribbers, Hanna Lee, Priscilla A. Mooney, Helene Muri, Amy M.P. Oen

Institutions: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NORCE Research AS, NILU, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute

Language: English

Topic: Forest Management and Policy

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,370