Using Structural and Thermal Heterogeneity to Minimize or Reverse the Impacts of Climate Change in Terrestrial Systems

Current forest management techniques have reduced structural heterogeneity at broad ecological scales, likely having a major impact on species diversity and ecosystem function. I will use stage-structured Species Area Distributions and Species Biomass Distributions to quantify differences in structural heterogeneity in forest plots across a latitudinal gradient. Two types of forest stands will be compared: mixed-stage structure (heterogeneous), and single-stage structure (homogenous). By quantifying differences at each site, I hope to show that structural heterogeneity buffers extreme variation in climate, allowing for the maintenance of rare plant and arthropod populations.