An aerial view of a pine plantation and adjacent native eucalypt forest near Queanbeyan, NSW

The effect of climate change on Australian forests is a concern for Forests NSW. We are at the forefront of innovations and research into this field.

Australian forests are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and the potential impact of the changing climate on our forests is not known.

There are some accepted effects of increased CO₂ on plants. They tend to grow faster and use water more efficiently, but if canopies are denser, more rainwater will evaporate back into the atmosphere, leaving less to penetrate into the ground.

Over the next 40-80 years (equivalent to one or two plantation rotations), climate change is predicted to increase average temperatures in NSW by 0.7-6.4°C, with the greatest increase in the west of the state. Rainfall is likely to decrease, apart from in the north-east of the state. Projections suggest an increased incidence of hot days, bushfire and intense storms.

Research

The Hawkesbury Forest Experiment

These whole-tree chambers will help assess climate change effects on eucalypts.

Forests NSW is researching how trees will react and adapt to the impact of changes in CO₂ and climate. The Hawkesbury Forest Experiment involves growing trees under climatic conditions expected in the next 50 years, to develop an understanding of the growth and carbon storage potential and productivity of eucalypt forests and their responses to the rising CO₂ levels and changing rainfall patterns that will occur during this century.

Eucalypts are grown in large chambers which are controlled at increased CO₂ levels. Some chambers will be deprived of water to help unravel possible interactions between elevated CO₂ levels and drought.

The Hawkesbury Forest Experiment is a joint initiative with the Department of the Environment & Heritage Australian Greenhouse Office, University of NSW, University of Western Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Science.

More about the Hawkesbury Forest Experiment

• Current climate change research projects - forestry
• Predicting climate change response

Other research

Find out more about research into the effect of climate change on forests.

Key links

• Department of Environment & Climate Change (www.environment.nsw.gov.au)