The northern appalachian/acadian ecoregion, North America

Abstract

The Northern Appalachian/Acadian ecoregion in northeastern United States and southeastern Canada is projected to experience dramatically increased temperatures by the end of the twenty-first century, potentially driving numerous changes in species distributions throughout the region. For species to respond to such changes, landscape-scale conservation planning must result in increased levels of connectivity both within the ecoregion and with neighboring areas. Numerous initiatives have sought to promote ecological health and connectivity throughout all or a part of this ecoregion, particularly Two Countries, One Forest, a binational umbrella organization. Work in the region suggests the need for increased attention to be given to planning for linkages across landscape scales to allow for both short- and long-term movement of species, and for coupling connectivity with efforts to enhance ecosystem resilience throughout the reserve system and the surrounding matrix.