Integrating Research, Education and Extension for Enhancing Southern Pine Climate Change (2024)

Progress 03/01/11 to 02/28/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Southeastern Forests and Climate Change: A Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Secondary Module Using feedback from the summative evaluation, workshop participants, and Project Learning Tree (PLT) coordinators and facilitators, the PLT/PINEMAP secondary module, Southeastern Forests and Climate Change, was reprinted in October 2015. PLT coordinators from the southern states, and coordinators from 10 states outside the region, have distributed 5000 books in workshops. Using funds from mini-grants distributed through National PLT or external funding, more than 700 educators received training or information about the module through workshops or presentations. The module website is reaching new audiences--interested individuals who can gain access to the module activities and training materials without attending an in-person event. Currently, more than 375 individuals are registered on the module website. An online survey of website users, workshop participants, and all individuals who received a module by mail was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the module. A summative evaluation with 32 teachers from 10 states in the region was completed in June 2015. Data were analyzed from more than 1,200 students regarding changes in student knowledge, hope, and systems thinking skills. This process involved an advisory group of 28 people, a needs assessment with 746 responses from SE teachers, a follow up survey that received 392 responses with 54% already using materials with 7,125 learners. We distributed 5000 copies of a learning module for high school students that introduces climate change and includes selected PINEMAP research findings. We trained 108 people at 4 regional workshops, plus trained 157 other facilitators in 9 state workshops run by PLT. These facilitators reached 1240 teachers over 2 years in educator workshops and 1130 people through short presentations and exhibits (includes 43 mini-grants distributed to support workshops in 11 states that trained 840 educators). If survey responses are representative, of the 5000 modules distributed we expect that 94,500 students were reached in the first year. The 2nd edition of the module incorporated the results of a comprehensive survey of educators using the first edition. We engaged with the Project Learning Tree Coordinator network and provided support for additional workshops in the NCE year, magnifying our impact. We were able to market the resource to AP Environmental Science teachers who were very excited about it. We completed the summative evaluation of the online PLT module participants. We completed and published the analysis of teacher and student evaluations. We received two notable awards from ANREP for the Southeastern Forests and Climate Change Learning Module: Long Publication Outstanding Educational Materials Award and Outstanding Team Achievement Award. PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program, each undergraduate is paired with a PINEMAP graduate student mentor and participates in a distance course following completion of the 12-week, full-time summer internship. The program vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. Fellows participated in a three-credit distance Effective Communication Skills course conducted synchronously over the Internet using web conferencing software. The class met formally for one hour each week during the fall, and students complete assignments outside of class to learn interpersonal written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills through multimedia, readings, and self-reflection. Students put these skills to use when writing an abstract and creating scientific poster and PowerPoint® presentations based on their summer research. Additionally, students developed and gave presentations to secondary public school audiences. In total, 38 Fellows completed their fellowships, making 340 presentations to 85 schools, working with 116 teachers to reach 7423 students. Completed analysis of evaluation data and published an article on the Undergraduate Internship program. Forest Research Cooperative Outreach Efforts Forest industry cooperators were reached through annual reports, research presentations, and field tours at annual contact meetings conducted by the 8 regional University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program. The PINEMAP DSS: The PINEMAP DSS was viewed 3,727 times by 1,255 unique users from May 2016-April 2017. Monthly user counts from launch in December 2015 - December 2017 varied from 50 - 200. Leslie Boby presented an overview of the PINEMAP DSS at the Southeastern Society of American Foresters meeting in January 2016 and we presented and held a workshop at UF in Fall 2016 at the Agricultural Decision Tools Conference. We have rolled out the DSS at forest cooperatives' meetings and at the May 2017 PINEMAP Stakeholder rollout meeting (55 participants) and we continue to widely advertise the tool to targeted audience end users at a variety of national and regional conferences and meetings. Changes/Problems:Nothing ReportedWhat opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As of February 2017, 64 graduate students, 54 undergraduate students, 15 postdoctoral research associates, and 30 professional and technical staff were trained under the PINEMAP project. The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program paired students with mentors over a 12-week, full-time summer internship which vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. 38 Fellows completed their fellowships, making 340 presentations to 85 schools, working with 116 teachers to reach 7423 students. Completed analysis of evaluation data and published an article on the Undergraduate Internship program. PINEMAP faculty, staff, and graduate students attended and presented at a number of national and international conferences including but not limited to: the Southern Forest Tree Improvement conference, the Forest Productivity Cooperative IS Pine Working Group contact meeting, the Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research conference, the Society of American Foresters annual national convention, the department of energy terrestrial ecosystem science meeting, the Soil Science Society of America Annual meetings, American Geophysical Union fall meeting, the Agricultural Decision Tools Conference in Fall 2017, southeastern forest and climate change workshop, the NACP and AmeriFlux Joint Meeting, the Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange, the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program, the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, the Forest Genomics Symposium, The IUFRO World Congress, The IUFRO Forest Tree Breeding Conference, Plant and Animal Genome, the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, League of Environmental Educators in Florida, North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals. Southeastern Climate Consortium, and the National Forestry Extension Meeting. Two PINEMAP grad students have become Extension Forestry Faculty (Adam Maggard at Auburn and Pushkar Khanal at Clemson University and one PINEMAP post-doc is now a faculty member at University of Florida (Allan Bacon). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?PINEMAP is in the process of developing and publishing a final glossy report containing over 30 articles summarizing research results and education and Extension programs. Hard copies will be distributed to partners and stakeholders, and the report is available for download via the PINEMAP web site. The PINEMAP web site (http://www.pinemap.org) is a valuable outreach tool, and is a resource for updates, research results, and outreach materials. PINEMAP faculty, staff, and graduate students attended and presented at a number of national and international conferences including but not limited to: the Southern Forest Tree Improvement conference, the Forest Productivity Cooperative IS Pine Working Group contact meeting, the Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research conference, the Society of American Foresters annual national convention, the department of energy terrestrial ecosystem science meeting, the Soil Science Society of America Annual meetings, American Geophysical Union fall meeting, the Agricultural Decision Tools Conference in Fall 2017, southeastern forest and climate change workshop, the NACP and AmeriFlux Joint Meeting, the Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange, the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program, the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, the Forest Genomics Symposium, The IUFRO World Congress, The IUFRO Forest Tree Breeding Conference, Plant and Animal Genome, the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, League of Environmental Educators in Florida, North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals. Southeastern Climate Consortium, and the National Forestry Extension Meeting. PINEMAP had multiple presentations at the 2018 Society of American Foresters Meeting, presented at the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals in May 2018. In May, 2017, PINEMAP hosted a stakeholder rollout meeting featuring 55 stakeholder participants from private industry, consulting firms, and government agencies. PINEMAP scientists summarized project activities and pertinent science findings, and familiarized participants with the PINEMAP DSS. Additional "futuring" insights were provided by keynote speakers Randi Johnson, Director of the NIFA Division of Global Climate Change, and Brooks Mendell from Forisk Consulting. Research was disseminated to corporate forestry partners via annual meetings and reports of the eight University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program) Seventeen new factsheets were developed since the year 5 report. The PINEMAP DSS was viewed 3,727 times by 1,255 unique users from May 2016-April 2017. Monthly user counts from launch in December 2015 - December 2017 varied from 50 - 200. Leslie Boby presented an overview of the PINEMAP DSS at the Southeastern Society of American Foresters meeting in January 2016 and we presented and held a workshop at UF in Fall 2016 at the Agricultural Decision Tools Conference. We have rolled out the DSS at forest cooperatives' meetings and at the May 2017 PINEMAP Stakeholder rollout meeting (55 participants) and we continue to widely advertise the tool to targeted audience end users at a variety of national and regional conferences and meetings. The group trained county and state employees regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation. We participated in the founding of the Forest, Climate and Woodlands Community of Practice (CoP) (www.eXtension.org), a 2 year funded project that provides a platform for engaging the Extension community and increases the availability of PINEMAP adaptation materials. We partnered with the USDA Southeast Climate Hub (SERCH, http://globalchange.ncsu.edu/serch/) to jointly promote sustainable forestry practices. SERCH will distribute materials and has agreed to host our virtual presence after the completion of our project. We engaged with the Climate Learning Network (CLN) to produce Forestry and Agriculture online resources and learning modules for Extension This effort, led by Southern Region Extension Forestry Staff (and PINEMAP personnel), provides a platform to communicate lessons learned. Funding for the CLN came about through the efforts of the NIFA PINEMAP Liaison working with the USDA Climate Change Program Office in 2015. This ongoing effort continues to produce high quality materials to engage stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?PINEMAP Decision Support System includes state of the art projections of 20 models at a 6km resolution and HUC-12 scale. Finalized uncertainty communication, incorporated productivity model outputs a regional, east coast (3-PG range expansion) or CONUS (WaSSI) areas, and added the Community Land Model. Genetics and breeding Genotyped and uploaded genetic variant data to TreeGenes, validated and completed marker-trait association mapping of growth, nitrogen response, water use, to accelerate breeding for productivity and resilience and provide selection datasets for seedling trials, completed best practice recommendations for screening and analysis, developed guidelines for planting varieties in future climate scenarios and added to DSS. Leveraged NIFA PineRefSeq CAP to expand the regions for exome capture analysis and characterize variation to test hypotheses relating genetic variation to resilience and adaptability of trees in field trials. Continued sequencing to maximize number of parents with seedling expression measurements, expanding the scope of the seed deployment guidelines. Silviculture and Field Ecology used previously unshared legacy studies' data (Tier I), added new measurements to 125 active experimental sites (Tier II), and established Tier III sites to determine how fertilization and rainfall diversion influence stand growth and physiology across the range. Quantified total C, water and nutrient storage, fluxes and response to climate and management in Tier II and Tier III sites. Collected one of the largest datasets of soil carbon of any ecosystem: 1420 BD, soil C and N observations from 491 pedons covering 23 different soil Great Groups - an astounding feat comparable to half the 30 year National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) SE dataset. With the NSF Center for Advanced Forestry Systems we used 15N labelled fertilizer to determine N uptake by loblolly and fertilizer fate at 24 locations to clarify expected improvements to NUE. Measured loblolly branch and root hydraulics, water use and stress, needle water potential and carbon isotope discrimination at the VA Tier III site and linked to cross-site sap flux analyses and fine root distribution. Completed growth response measurement at Tier III sites. Attributed variablility in the partitioning coefficient (RH:RS=0.84) found across Tier II and III sites as a function of season, stand age, fertilization, competition control, and water availability, enabling fully dynamic ecosystem carbon balance modeling. Data were uploaded in TerraC, monthly Ec estimates and productivity data were provided to modeling group. Completed region-wide analysis of aboveground and forest floor C, NUE and trace gases. Completed papers and products on region-wide NEP, region-wide sap flux, determinants of soil respiration, region-wide bulk density. Modeling developed and tested four complementary models with monitoring network data. We predicted long-term effects of soils, management, climate and disturbance scenarios at scales ranging from a tree to the SE region, incorporating downscaled data from 20 climate models at a fine resolution, CO2 and fertilization responses, to predict changes in productivity, risks, and opportunities at a watershed scale. We constructed yield predictions of C pool dynamics at varying scales for alternative land use, management under a range of climate scenarios. We completed runs of Southern Regional Timber Supply Model, and incorporated outputs into DSS. Economics and policy analyzed benefits of the market and non-market products and services of planted pine. Developed projections of economic and environmental consequences of management, environmental conditions and policy. Completed LCA of pine growth and wood use demonstrating strong positive sequestration effects. Developed pre-invasion trade-based stand-level model of disturbance risk from invasive species using recent empirical inputs to estimate establishment risk. Incorporated new data critical to stand-level water-C tradeoff simulations to inform options for forest landowners under contrasting management objectives. Completed assessment of programs that may affect C mitigation in planted pine, synthesized landowner adoption of mitigation and adaptation strategies, finalized NPV and regional market impacts of adaptation strategies and altered disturbance risks, and completed regional survey on public preferences for ecosystem services. Education mentored and engaged undergraduates in collaborative interdisciplinary research, with 38 Fellows making 340 presentations to 85 schools, working with 116 teachers to reach 7423 students. Conveyed the significance of pine forests and future climate change impacts with strategies that engage youth and build hope. Prepared graduate students to address climate change issues and engage in interdisciplinary research. Created (advisory group of 28 people), tested (needs assessment 746 responses; follow up survey 392 responses with 54% using materials with 7,125 learners; an estimated 94,500 students reached in the first year), and distributed 5000 copies of learning module for high school students that introduces climate change and includes selected PINEMAP findings. Reached 1240 teachers over 2 years in educator workshops and 1130 people. Awarded 43 mini-grants for workshops in 11 states training 840 educators. Received ANREP awards for the Southeastern Forests and Climate Change Learning Module: Long Publication Outstanding Educational Materials Award and Outstanding Team Achievement Award. Completed a resource paper on enhancing climate education based on a comprehensive review with NAAEE to help Extension climate programs help communities respond appropriately. Conducted review and comparison of natural resource research experiences and participant outcomes, which will be valuable for all federal programs that encourage undergraduate students to partake in research activities. Extension shared knowledge, practices and decision tools to corporate and smaller landowners to increase carbon sequestration, nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and resilience under varied environments. Developed highly effective partnerships between extension foresters and state climatologists. Produced stakeholder-specific products, trainings, and outreach (including regional adaptation conferences, webinars, training modules, and handbooks). Assessed stakeholder perceptions and needs to improve communication. Developed industry (TIMO and REIT) resources linked to SFI certification. Developed online learning modules, webinars, fact sheets. Trained county and state employees. Assessed impacts of alternative management adoption, exposed small landowners to carbon-trading markets, changes in forest carbon sequestration and NUE from recommendations, and climate-forest interactions. Produced papers on climate resilient southern pine management activities. Participated in founding of eXtension Forest, Climate and Woodlands CoP, to engage Extension community and increase availability of PINEMAP materials. Partnered with the USDA SERCH to promote sustainable forestry practices. Climate Learning Network (CLN), led by Southern Region Extension Forestry (and PINEMAP) continues to produce high quality materials. In May 2016, 70 PINEMAP members attended the final annual meeting. We planned work, shared research through science talks and 22 posters, coordinated outreach to reach additional stakeholder audiences, discussed how to leverage our network for future. In May 2017, PINEMAP hosted a rollout meeting of 55 private industry, consultants, and government stakeholders. We summarized the project activities and findings, familiarized participants with PINEMAP DSS. Keynote speakers were Randi Johnson, Director of the NIFA Division of Global Climate Change, and Brooks Mendell from Forisk Consulting.PINEMAP presented at 2018 SAF Meeting and the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals in May 2018.

Publications

Progress 03/01/15 to 02/29/16

Outputs
Target Audience:PINEMAP's target audiences include industrial and non-industrial forest landowners in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states from Virginia to Texas, plus Arkansas and Oklahoma; graduate and undergraduate students and secondary teachers and students throughout the southeastern U.S.; and climate and forest researchers and Extension agents and staff throughout the southeastern U.S. Target audience outreach efforts conducted in 2015 are described below. Southeastern Forests and Climate Change: A Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Secondary Module Using feedback from the summative evaluation, workshop participants, and Project Learning Tree (PLT) coordinators and facilitators, the PLT/PINEMAP secondary module, Southeastern Forests and Climate Change, was revised and reprinted in October 2015. PLT coordinators from the southern states, as well as coordinators from 10 states outside the region, preordered a total of 2,600 books to use in future workshops. Using funds from mini-grants distributed through National PLT or external funding, more than 700 educators received training or information about the module through workshops or presentations from October 1, 2014 to October 1, 2015. Some of those participants have also registered on the module website. In addition, the module website is reaching new audiences--interested individuals who can gain access to the module activities and training materials without attending an in-person event. Currently, more than 375 individuals are registered on the module website. An online survey is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of the module. Website users, workshop participants, and all individuals who received a module by mail are being asked to complete the survey. The summative evaluation with 32 teachers from 10 states in the region was completed in June. Data from more than 1,200 students was collected and is being analyzed regarding changes in student knowledge, hope, and systems thinking skills. Additional research activities in systems thinking and a literature review of climate change education are in progress. PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program, each undergraduate is paired with a PINEMAP graduate student mentor and participates in a distance course following completion of the 12-week, full-time summer internship. The program vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. In 2015, 15 undergraduate fellows from across the eastern United States, California, and Quebec were paired with 14 mentor researchers at 7 universities. After the summer internship, fellows participate in a three-credit distance Effective Communication Skills course conducted synchronously over the Internet using web conferencing software. The class meets formally for one hour each week during the fall, and students complete assignments outside of class to learn interpersonal written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills through multimedia, readings, and self-reflection. Students put these skills to use when writing an abstract and creating scientific poster and PowerPoint® presentations based on their summer research. Additionally, students develop and give presentations to secondary public school audiences. Eleven of these undergraduates are currently participating in the distance education course and began delivering presentations to public secondary school students and groups in October. Three undergraduates will participate in another offering of the distance education course during spring 2016 to complete their fellowships. The number of presentations is estimated at a similar level as the last cohort of 12 undergraduates, who gave 81 presentations and reached a total of 1,518 students. Research and evaluation on this program is in progress, with a research plan approved and data collection documents in development. Forest Research Cooperative Outreach Efforts Forest industry cooperators were reached through annual reports, research presentations, and field tours at annual contact meetings conducted by the 8 regional University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program. The December 2015 Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange (WGSTE) workshop focused on disseminating new knowledge, tools, and strategies to industrial and large-scale silviculturists working in the Western Gulf region of the U.S. This is an especially important venue for outreach because the effects of climate and climate variability on southern forests are particularly hard-hitting here. PINEMAP has established a permanent committee to guide this effort consisting of not only PINEMAP members, but also, non-PINEMAP funded universities and agencies in the Western Gulf including the Louisiana State University AgCenter, Stephen F. Austin College of Forestry, and Louisiana Tech School of Forestry. To date, PINEMAP information has reached 72 silviculturists through the WGSTE representing 9 million acres - 5 of those million in pine. PINEMAP is driving efforts in adaptive silvicultural training for state agency foresters to inform foresters of the latest research and tools so they can transfer information to their clients and impact forest health, resilience, and productivity. The program was initially tested with 16 foresters in the Texas A&M Forest Service, who have already incorporated the new strategies into their forest management plans and used new decision-support tools to guide landowners. An additional 30 participants attended 2 agency training events in September and October 2015. Changes/Problems:Nothing ReportedWhat opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As of December 2015, 64 graduate students, 54 undergraduate students, 15 postdoctoral research associates, and 30 professional and technical staff have been trained under the PINEMAP project. The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program pairs students with mentors over a 12-week, full-time summer internship which vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. In 2015, 14 undergraduate fellows participated in the program. After the summer internship, fellows participate in a three-credit distance course, Effective Communication Skills. Students learn interpersonal written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills through multimedia, readings, and self-reflection, and then put these skills to use by writing an abstract and creating scientific poster and PowerPoint® presentations based on their summer research. To date, 44 students made 281 presentations at 64 schools, reaching 91 teachers and 5990 students. PINEMAP faculty, staff, and graduate students attended and presented at a number of national and international conferences including but not limited to the 33rd Southern Forest Tree Improvement conference, the Forest Productivity Cooperative IS Pine Working Group contact meeting, the 18th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research conference, the Society of American Foresters annual national convention, the department of energy terrestrial ecosystem science meeting, SilviLaser 2015, the Soil Science Society of America Annual meetings, American Geophysical Union fall meeting, the southeastern forest and climate change workshop, the NACP and AmeriFlux Joint Meeting, the Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange, the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program, the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, the Forest Genomics Symposium, The IUFRO World Congress, The IUFRO Forest Tree Breeding Conference, Plant and Animal Genome, the 21st International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, League of Environmental Educators in Florida, North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals. Southeastern Climate Consortium, and the National Forestry Extension Meeting. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In year 5, PINEMAP developed and published an annual report containing 24 articles summarizing research results and education and Extension programs. Hard copies were distributed to partners and stakeholders, and the report is available for download via the PINEMAP web site. The PINEMAP web site (http://www.pinemap.org) is a valuable outreach tool, and is continually updated with project updates, research results, and outreach materials. PINEMAP faculty, staff, and graduate students attended and presented at a number of national and international conferences including but not limited to the 33rd Southern Forest Tree Improvement conference, the Forest Productivity Cooperative IS Pine Working Group contact meeting, the 18th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research conference, the Society of American Foresters annual national convention, the department of energy terrestrial ecosystem science meeting, SilviLaser 2015, the Soil Science Society of America Annual meetings, American Geophysical Union fall meeting, the southeastern forest and climate change workshop, the NACP and AmeriFlux Joint Meeting, the Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange, the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program, the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, the Forest Genomics Symposium, The IUFRO World Congress, The IUFRO Forest Tree Breeding Conference, Plant and Animal Genome, the 21st International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, League of Environmental Educators in Florida, North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals. Southeastern Climate Consortium, and the National Forestry Extension Meeting.In addition, research was disseminated to corporate forestry partners via annual meetings and reports of the eight University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program) Twelve Factsheets were developed, edited and distributed in past year, with at least 22 more in development. The PINEMAP Extension team conducted trainings and workshops including: The Joint Texas Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association and Landowner Council Annual meeting and Workshop on August 14, 2014 included a wide audience of professional foresters and landowners and covered the bases of managing for forestry in a changing climate. The Texas Forest Service Natural Resource Conference on August 27, 2014 was geared towards a range of natural resource professionals, including foresters and other land managers and included components which addressed climate change and land management. Advanced Pine Silvicultural Concepts workshop on November 21, 2014 was for foresters in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma to learn more about the latest developments in silviculture. 4-State Society of American Foresters Meeting (Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas); January 27-29, 2015. The 4-state region of Society of American foresters hosted this three day workshop for SAF members to learn more about the latest forestry concepts. Eric Taylor, Aim 6 member, was joined by many PINEMAP researchers who spoke at this workshop. Annual Forest Pesticide Conference Workshop; February 13, 2015. This workshop for professional foresters included components on increasing threats from diseases and insects from a changing climate. Growing Pines in Changing Times Workshop; April 2015, Tifton, GA. This workshop was co-organized by Aim 6 personnel with other relevant partners (such as the Georgia Forestry Commission, other extension foresters) and many PINEMAP researchers were brought in to speak. Nearly 100 people attended this one-day workshop in Tifton, GA and evaluations were very favorable with 25-70% knowledge gain depending on the topic. Additionally, 93% of evaluation respondents indicated that they would make management changes based on what they had learned at the workshop. Respondents indicated that they owned or managed over 2,000,000 acres of planted pine. The Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange, December 2015 focused on disseminating new knowledge, tools, and strategies about pine-based silviculture to industrial and large-scale silviculturists working primarily in the Western Gulf region of the U.S. This event is crucial due to the unique climate conditions of the region and the concomitant impact to forest health and resilience. In other words, the effects of climate and climate variability on southern forests are particularly hard-hitting here. PINEMAP is sensitive to the greater urgency of adaptive silvicultural strategies in the Western Gulf region. PINEMAP has established a permanent committee to guide this effort consisting of not only PINEMAP members, but also, non-PINEMAP funded universities and agencies in the Western Gulf including the Louisiana State University AgCenter, Stephen F. Austin College of Forestry, and Louisiana Tech School of Forestry. To date, PINEMAP information has reached 72 silviculturists through the WGSTE representing 9 million acres - 5 of those million in pine. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The preliminary year 6 (March 1, 2016-February 28, 2017) PINEMAP work plan is: Aim 1 (Silviculture & Ecophysiology) Complete data collection at all sites Complete uploading all data into TerraC and to modeling group. Calculate treatment effects on NEP, translate into response function Complete monthly Ec estimates and transfer to modeling group. Complete loblolly branch and root hydraulic characterization, and water use and stress characterization Complete Rh:Rs variation partitioning related to age, fertilization, weed control, seasonality, clonal variation, and planting density. Complete region-wide analysis aboveground and soil forest floor carbon and NUE and trace gases, incorporate into DSS. Complete LCA of C emissions from practice. Complete papers and/or outreach products for: region-wide NEP, region-wide sap flux, determinants of soil respiration variation, region-wide bulk density. Aim 2 (Modeling) Continue incorporating downscaled climate and soils data to yield predictions of C pool dynamics at varying scales for alternative land use, management under the range of chosen climate scenarios. Complete refinement of 3-PG based on improved priors. Expand initial runs to all scenarios and models which incorporate CO2 and fertilization responses. Test runs of SRTS Incorporate final outputs into DSS Aim 3 (Genetics) Complete genotyping of ADEPT2, CCLONES, and PSSSS populations Complete uploading of genetic variant data into TreeGenes Complete validation of alleles and genes associated with adaptive traits Complete marker-trait association mapping and genomic selection datasets from seedling trials. Complete best practices methods recommendations for screening and analysis based on PINEMAP project experiences. Aim 4 (Economics & Policy) Final assessment of policies and programs that may affect C mitigation in planted pine forests Synthesis of landowner adoption of mitigation and adaptation strategies Finalize NPV and regional market impacts of adaptation strategies and of altered disturbance risks Complete regional survey on public preferences for ecosystem services. Aim 5 (Education) Complete analysis of evaluation data and submit manuscript on Undergraduate Internship program. Develop and complete resource paper on approaches for enhancing climate education Continue to distribute 2nd edition of PLT module through workshops and trainings Complete summative evaluation of online Project Learning Tree Secondary Module participants Complete analysis of teacher and student evaluations and submit manuscript. Complete publications on hope, systems thinking, and worldviews. Complete recommendations for Extension programs and educational materials based on literature review. Aim 6 (Extension) Facilitate development of presentations, factsheets, landowner workshops, and professional development webinars Publicize, test, evaluate the products above. Expand the reach of outputs through partnerships with SERCH, eXtension, and the Climate Science Learning Network Plan and implement online trainings on DSS tools and datasets. Create companion factsheets, webinars, and quick start guides for using DSS resources effectively. Develop, revise, and complete "Handbook for Resilient Southern Pine Forests" Incorporate, beta-test, and release map layers as they are completed. Administration/Management Conduct monthly All Team PINEMAP virtual meetings Plan and conduct 2016 Final Annual Meeting Finalize and publish year final annual report Plan and lead quarterly Executive Committee meetings Compile interim progress reports Compile information for final progress report and submit through REEport system Continue updating PINEMAP external web site and intranet site with relevant progress updates, products, etc. Continue synthesis of team science and integration research data; draft reports and manuscripts

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?The silviculture and ecophysiology team has measured carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes, collected data to quantify climatic, soils, and management impacts on carbon sequestration in planted pines. We assembled a dataset of 1200 soil samples to understand variation of bulk density with location and depth, calculated net primary productivity of all 125 Tier II sites, submitted 2014 sap flux data, analyzed remotely sensed LAI phenology data, and published a final cross-site analysis of eddy covariance and transpiration. We are incorporating aboveground and soil forest floor carbon and nitrogen use efficiency and trace gas data into our DSS. We continue to explore leaf water potential, hydraulic conductance, and carbon isotope discrimination, as well as fine root distribution changes with treatment. We are refining estimates of forest floor contribution to CO2 efflux, and delivered outputs of Rs to modelers. We are exploring Rh:Rs changes with age, season, and treatment, completed a study of linkages between soil microbial processes and litter chemistry, and are completing the life cycle analysis of carbon emissions from practice. Modelers analyzed how management and climate impact stand and regional carbon sequestration, productivity, and resilience. We recalibrated 3-PG for site index/ fertility rating data, refined the SSURGO SI map, extracted and aggregated region-wide soil and side index inputs to the HUC-12 level, expanded the range, and incorporated the effect of CO2 on photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. We are using data assimilation to refine the 3-PG priors. We have incorporated CO2 fertilization and dynamic site index model into growth and yield model and completed runs for all management and climate scenarios. The WaSSI gropu has completed baseline runs for all climate models and scenarios and incorporated short term CO2 fertilization impacts, is adding new analyses of total ET to evaluate the long term impacts of elevated CO2 on WUE and LAI to improve parameterization as a two component model, and have developed ecosystem respiration models. Community Land Modelers have modeled output from one RCP and calculated absolute and delta carbon stocks. Further comparison of model simulated Rh to observations are underway. The DayCent group has been parameterized and calibrated for Tier II and Tier III sites. The SRTS group has completed baseline runs with WaSSI and refined protocols with 3-PG. The genetics team is using phenotypic data on the ADEPT2 clonal trial and seedlings from the same clones to test for genotype-phenotype associations, using close to a million SNPs. 45 SNPs were associated with phenotypic traits of interest. We are conducting electrolyte cold hardiness tests in 2 locations to quantify risk for seedling movement outside previously recommended locations. We are genotyping by sequencing on the PSSS trial to be coupled with marker-trait association mapping. We are testing the relative value of estimating genetic covariance separately for gene function vs. regulation using families from the LGEP and have found that about half of variation in genetic values of seedlings is due to gene expression covariance. We are coordinating methods among the three genetics cooperatives to improve future breeding applications. We are refining statistical modeling approaches and targeted genotyping methods, as well as mapping regions of gene regulation to add significant value to the PineRefSeq draft genome for future breeding efforts. We completed and launched the seedling movement tools as part of the PINEMAP DSS. The economics and policy team assessed the willingness of stakeholders to accept carbon offset payments, completed a regional survey of NIPF landowners and are analyzing patterns of climate change and carbon sequestration attitudes to improve communication efficacy, and assessed the distributional effects of socio-economic and ecological determinants of forest carbon stocks in Florida. We determined the efficiency of loblolly pine forest plots in the provision of timber, carbon sequestration, and species richness under climate change and assessed the implications of future climate-change related disturbances on landowners' current harvesting decisions. We created an economic forest stand level model to link 3-PG based productivity outputs with economic rents, optimal rotation age and C sequestration in situ. We are developing a regional survey on public preferences for ecosystem services to predict support for a hypothetical forest program aimed at sustaining forest based ecosystem services. The education team has educated graduate and undergraduate students, and high school teachers and students, on climate science, forestry, and interdisciplinary research. PLT is an education curriculum that K-12 teachers can use to teach required classes, using trees and forests as the context for lessons. The 2nd edition of the module was completed (August 2015), printed (October 2015), and 2,600 books were distributed to PLT state coordinators within the southeast and in 10 additional states, for a total of more than 5,000 books distributed. We awarded mini grants to support 34 workshops and 650 participants throughout the southeast. A total of 57 workshops with 1140 participants have been conducted. The student pre and post knowledge survey, systems survey, and hope surveys were developed, tested, and finalized for both formative and summative purposes - 76 teachers and 2073 students have submitted surveys. A workshop pre/post survey and web user survey was developed, pilot tested, and finalized. We launched a literature review of climate education for community adaptation in June 2015 as part of the anecdotes to evidence initiative to serve as a resource to improve the efficacy of future Extension programs and educational materials. The Extension team provides stakeholders with knowledge to address climate change mitigation and adaptation issues. The Extension team has partnered with state climatologists and Extension foresters and faculty to create a PINEMAP Extension network in the Southeast to develop and distribute fact sheets and conduct regional workshops. We are developing eXtension modules for the Climate Science and Forests Interaction Community of Practice (CoP); have partnered with the Southeast Regional Climate Hub (SERCH) to broaden the outreach impact of our research results; have created fact sheets and web-based education modules. The PINEMAP Decision Support System (DSS), a web-based, open-source set of current and future decision support tools and educational materials to assist stakeholders in management of pine, while reducing risk factors of pests, disease, and climate change, is now live. Along with the seedling movement tools, we have completed our climate risk and opportunity web tools that use the MACA downscaled data from 20 global climate models (including baseline and/or future data; daily, monthly, and annual time step; min/max temperature, precipitation, wind speed, specific humidity, and solar radiation; available at the PINEMAP regional scale, state scale, or HUC12 scale; and RCP 4.5 or 8.5 emission scenarios). We are working with modelers to translate their results into a suite of productivity tools, site index, and soil maps. We will continue the beta testing process to clarify FAQ needs and stakeholder preferences to improve our tools prior to final release. We have produced 14 forestry webinars, which have been viewed by 739 users. More than 12 landowner factsheets have been completed in the past year, and 22 are under development. PINEMAP information has been disseminated to 350 foresters, extension agents, and landowner through five adaptive silviculture workshops. Ten other workshops have been conducted - details are in the outputs section. We have established the initial format for our Guidebook to Managing for Resilient Forests and are developing materials for inclusion.

Publications

Progress 03/01/14 to 02/28/15

Outputs
Target Audience: PINEMAP's target audiences include industrial and non-industrial forest landowners in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states from Virginia to Texas, plus Arkansas and Oklahoma; graduate and undergraduate students and secondary teachers and students throughout the southeastern U.S.; and climate and forest researchers and Extension agents and staff throughout the southeastern U.S. Target audience outreach efforts conducted in 2014 are described below. Southeastern Forests and Climate Change: A Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Secondary Module The final draft of the Project Learning Tree/PINEMAP secondary module including input from over 140 collaborators has been completed and printed. The module contains 14 activities that are designed to introduce students to the relationship between southeastern forests and climate change, echoing every dimension of PINEMAP's research. A module web site with activity guides, videos, and additional resources was developed and is undergoing revision. The module is currently being distributed at trainings and workshops and has reached 65 teachers. Progress has been made on a summative evaluation plan. A teacher self-efficacy tool was pilot tested at a workshop in June 2014. A student knowledge test was pilot tested by high school students during a 4-H event. Graduate students mentored twelve undergraduate students from seven of PINEMAP's collaborating universities participated in the undergraduate fellowship program in 2014. The program includes a 12 week internship and participation in an Effective Communication Skills course and has delivered 107 presentations on forest resources at 25 secondary schools in the southeastern US, reaching a total of 2629 students. PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program is a unique twist on the traditional research experience for undergraduates (REU) in that each of the undergraduates accepted into the program is paired with a PINEMAP graduate student mentor and participates in a distance course following completion of the 12-week, full-time summer internship. The program vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. In 2013, 12 undergraduate fellows participated in the program. After the summer internship, fellows participate in a three-credit distance course, Effective Communication Skills. The course is conducted synchronously over the Internet using web conferencing software and meets formally for one hour each week during the fall. Students also complete assignments outside of class as their schedules allow. Students learn various interpersonal written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills through multimedia, readings, and self-reflection, and then put these skills to use when writing an abstract and creating scientific poster and PowerPoint® presentations based on their summer research. Additionally, students develop and give presentations to secondary public school audiences. Forest Research Cooperative Outreach Efforts Forest industry cooperators were reached through annual reports, research presentations, and field tours at annual contact meetings conducted by the 8 regional University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program. The Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange (WGSTE) is a biennial workshop focused on disseminating new knowledge, tools, and strategies to industrial and large-scale silviculturists working in the Western Gulf region of the U.S. This event is crucial due because the effects of climate and climate variability on southern forests are particularly hard-hitting here. PINEMAP has established a permanent committee to guide this effort consisting of not only PINEMAP members, but also, non-PINEMAP funded universities and agencies in the Western Gulf including the Louisiana State University AgCenter, Stephen F. Austin College of Forestry, and Louisiana Tech School of Forestry. To date, PINEMAP information has reached 72 silviculturists through the WGSTE representing 9 million acres - 5 of those million in pine. The Professional Development Webinar Series is an ongoing, monthly series of webinars that debuted in November 2012 using the Forestry Webinars portal (www.forestrywebinars.net). This effort primarily targets large-scale forest managers and natural resource professionals such as forestry consultants and state forestry agency personnel. The series packages and delivers new knowledge and tools developed by PINEMAP so the audience can incorporate them and improve the resilience, productivity, carbon sequestration, and nutrient management of their forest lands. Survey results show that participants feel satisfied with the amount of information in the webinars. To date, there have been 14 webinars with a total of 739 viewers. PINEMAP is driving efforts in adaptive silvicultural training for state agency foresters to inform foresters of the latest research and tools so they can transfer information to their clients and impact forest health, resilience, and productivity. To date, the program has been tested with the Texas A&M Forest Service. Sixteen foresters participated in the initial training program and have already incorporated the new strategies into their forest management plans and used new decision-support tools to guide landowners. Plans are in place to conduct four trainings of this type across the region in 2014. 2014 Land Grant and PINEMAP Climate Change Workshop Members of PINEMAP's Aim 6 extension team organized a workshop on climate science, forestry, agriculture and coastal resources for a group consisting of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service agents and then other extension agents from 1890's Universities, as well as the non-profit forestry extension organization- Federation of Southern Cooperatives. 25 people attended talks on audience analysis, climate science and then forestry specific resources. Aim 6 members present included Ryan Boyles, Heather Dinon Aldridge, Leslie Boby, Mark Megalos, Gwen Boyd and Joshua Idassi. Southern Region Extension Climate Academy, Athens, GA, September 3-5, 2014 SRECA was designed to help Extension professionals who bring a variety of perspectives on climate change become leaders and facilitators in their state for appropriate and relevant programming in climate variability and change. The Academy enabled individuals to work in small groups to develop resources or programs and report to the group through web-based workshops over a year. SRECA aims to improve Extension response and programming in four target areas: Crops, Livestock, Forestry, and Coastal areas. Through new relationships built with professionals in similar arenas across the region, participants have and will continue to exchange ideas and enhance their programs. Twenty five foresters attended the forestry sector meeting, out of 120 attendees. Changes/Problems:Nothing ReportedWhat opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? As of August 2014, 57 graduate students, 39 undergraduate students, 14 postdoctoral research associates, and 22 professional and technical staff have been trained under the PINEMAP project. The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program is a unique twist on the traditional research experience for undergraduates (REU) in that each student accepted into the program is paired with a PINEMAP graduate student mentor for a 12-week, full-time summer internship. Undergraduates from across the southeastern U.S. are hired as wage employees of Virginia Tech, earning up to $7,000, and are paired with graduate student researchers at one of PINEMAP's collaborating universities. This distributed fellowship affords most undergraduate fellows the opportunity to experience working in a setting outside their home universities. Additionally, the program vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. In 2014, 11 undergraduate fellows participated in the program. After the summer internship, fellows participate in a three-credit distance course, Effective Communication Skills, which is conducted using web conferencing software and meets formally for one hour each week during the fall. Students also complete assignments outside of class as their schedules allow. Students learn interpersonal written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills through multimedia, readings, and self-reflection, and then put these skills to use by writing an abstract and creating scientific poster and PowerPoint® presentations based on their summer research. PINEMAP faculty, staff, and graduate students attended and presented at a number of national and international conferences including but not limited to the 17th Biennial Southern Silviculture Conference, 98th and 99th Ecological Society of America Conference, North American Forest Soils Conference, Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference, Plant and Animal Genome XXII: The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, 3rd IUFRO Latin American Congress, North American Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference and Research Symposium, and Association of Natural Resource Professionals Biannual Conference. 3rd International Conference on Earth Science & Climate Change, Soil Science Society of America Meeting, Society of American Foresters annual meeting, American Geophysical Union Meeting, 2014 IUFRO Conference, 8th Forest Vegetation Management IUFRO meeting (Halmstad Sweden), IUFRO Second Global Forum on Ecological Economics in Forestry (Nanjing, China), 99th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, International Society for Forest Resource Economics, Biennial Conference on Undergraduate Education in Natural Resources (BCUENR) Conference, North American Association for Environmental Education Conference, League of Environmental Educators in Florida Conference, Farming Adaptation Conference, USDA Southern Region IPM and SE Regional Climate Hub, ANREP, National Extension Climate Science Initiative Conference, Southern Region Extension Climate Academy (Forests Sector). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In year 4, PINEMAP developed and published an annual report containing 23 articles summarizing research results and education and Extension programs. Hard copies were distributed to partners and stakeholders, and the report is available for download via the PINEMAP web site. The PINEMAP web site (http://www.pinemap.org) is a valuable outreach tool, and is continually updated with project updates, research results, and outreach materials. PINEMAP research results were disseminated via national and international conferences/ meetings including but not limited to: 17th Biennial Southern Silviculture Conference, 98th and 99th Ecological Society of America Conferences, North American Forest Soils Conference, Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference, Plant and Animal Genome XXII: The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, 3rd IUFRO Latin American Congress, North American Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference and Research Symposium, and Association of Natural Resource Professionals Biannual Conference. 3rd International Conference on Earth Science & Climate Change, Soil Science Society of America Meeting, Society of American Foresters annual meeting, American Geophysical Union Meeting, 2014 IUFRO Conference, 8th Forest Vegetation Management IUFRO meeting (Halmstad Sweden), IUFRO Second Global Forum on Ecological Economics in Forestry (Nanjing, China), 99th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, International Society for Forest Resource Economics, Biennial Conference on Undergraduate Education in Natural Resources (BCUENR) Conference, North American Association for Environmental Education Conference, League of Environmental Educators in Florida Conference, Farming Adaptation Conference, USDA Southern Region IPM and SE Regional Climate Hub, ANREP, National Extension Climate Science Initiative Conference, Southern Region Extension Climate Academy (Forests Sector).In addition, research was disseminated to corporate forestry partners via annual meetings and reports of the eight University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program) The PINEMAP Extension team conducted trainings and workshops including: The Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange (WGSTE) is a biennial workshop focused on disseminating new knowledge, tools, and strategies about pine-based silviculture to industrial and large-scale silviculturists in the region. This event is crucial because the effects of climate and climate variability on southern forests are particularly hard-hitting in the Western Gulf region. PINEMAP has established a permanent committee to guide the efforts of not only PINEMAP members, but also, non-PINEMAP funded universities and agencies in the Western Gulf including the Louisiana State University AgCenter, Stephen F. Austin College of Forestry, and Louisiana Tech School of Forestry. To date, PINEMAP information has reached 72 silviculturists through the WGSTE representing 9 million acres - 5 million of those in pine. Professional Development Webinar Series The Professional Development Webinar Series is an ongoing, monthly series of webinars that debuted in November 2012 using the Forestry Webinars portal (www.forestrywebinars.net). This effort primarily targets large-scale forest managers and natural resource professionals such as forestry consultants and state forestry agency personnel. The series packages and delivers new knowledge and tools developed by PINEMAP so that the audience can incorporate these into their daily business and, improve the resilience, productivity, carbon sequestration, and nutrient management of their forest lands. Combined survey results show that participants feel satisfied with the amount of information covered in the webinars. To date, there have been 14 webinars with a total of 739 viewers. Adaptive Silvicultural Training: State Forestry Agency Training PINEMAP is driving efforts in adaptive silvicultural training for state agency foresters. The key goal is to provide the latest research and tools so they can transfer information to their clients (primarily small-scale family forest landowners) to positively impact forest health, resilience, and productivity. The program has been tested with the Texas A&M Forest Service. Sixteen foresters participated in the initial training program and have incorporated new strategies into their forest management plans and used new decision-support tools to guide landowners. Plans are in place to conduct four trainings of this type across the region in 2014. 2014 Land Grant and PINEMAP Climate Change Workshop, Wilmington, NC, January 21-23, 2014 Members of PINEMAP's Aim 6 extension team organized a workshop on climate science, forestry, agriculture and coastal resources for a group of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service agents and extension agents from 1890's Universities, as well as from the Federation of Southern Cooperatives non-profit forestry extension organization. 25 people attended talks on audience analysis, climate science and then forestry specific resources. Aim 6 members present included Ryan Boyles, Heather Dinon Aldridge, Leslie Boby, Mark Megalos, Gwen Boyd and Joshua Idassi. Southern Region Extension Climate Academy, Athens, GA, September 3-5, 2014 The SRECA program was first initiated in August 2013, when the Extension leadership in the Southern region asked coordinators from the three USDA/NIFA-funded regional climate projects to coordinate a regional professional development program. SRECA was designed to help Extension professionals who bring a variety of perspectives on climate change become leaders and facilitators in their state for appropriate and relevant programming in climate variability and change. The Academy enabled individuals to work in small groups to develop resources or programs and report experiences to the entire group through web-based workshops over the next year. SRECA aims to improve Extension response and programming in four target areas: Crops, Livestock, Forestry, and Coastal areas. Through new relationships built with professionals in similar arenas across the region, participants have and will continue to exchange ideas and enhance their programs. Twenty five foresters attended the forestry sector meeting, out of 120 attendees. One important focus of the academy has been to create a cohort of trained agents who can share ideas within their sectors and with their statewide colleagues. Within the forestry sector group, ~22 foresters have agreed to continue to share ideas and work together jointly on some projects - furthering PINEMAP's larger goals. Factsheets Nine Factsheets were developed, edited and distributed in past year, with at least 12 more planned for release in the coming year. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The preliminary year 5 (March 1, 2015-February 28, 2016) PINEMAP work plan is provided below. Aim 1 (Silviculture & Ecophysiology) Continue data collection at the four Tier III (throughfall exclusion x fertilization) sites Continue data collection at Tier II (active experiment) sites Standardize sapwood calculation radial corrections Complete transpiration monthly estimates at all sites, send data to modeling aim Deliver gas exchange, growth, and daily transpiration Oklahoma data Validate total soil respiration measurements Complete exploration of heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration values Confirm total soil respiration and heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration partitioning to modeling aim Complete Tier II field sampling Complete loading Tier II ½ plot data into TerraC and to modeling aim. Deliver all Tier II data to modeling groups Complete bulk density paper Aim 2 (Modeling) Continue incorporating downscaled climate and soils data to yield predictions of C pool dynamics at varying scales for alternative land use, management under the range of chosen climate scenarios Compare Rh simulated by Community Land Model to observed data Generate a Community Land model output for RCP 4.5 forecast Test runs of SRTS Common validation data for models Output to DSS Aim 3 (Genetics) Complete measurements of carbon isotope discrimination and stomatal density of Saucier foliage Continue genotyping of ADEPT2, CCLONES, and PSSSS populations Assess value of RNA-seq gene expression as predictor of phenotypic variation in PSSSS population Test cold hardiness phenotyping association with genotype in ADEPT2 population Upload ADEPT2 phenotypes into TerraC Incorporate final seed deployment tool into DSS Aim 4 (Economics & Policy) Final assessment of policies and programs that may affect C mitigation in planted pine forests Synthesis of landowner adoption of mitigation and adaptation strategies Finalize NPV and regional market impacts of adaptation strategies and of altered disturbance risks Aim 5 (Education) Conduct interviews of Undergraduate Internship program participants Mentorship of undergraduate fellows by researchers Train 4th cohort of undergraduate fellows Meta-analysis of natural resource REUs Continue to distribute final PLT module through workshops and trainings Complete summative evaluation of Project Learning Tree Secondary Module Aim 6 (Extension) Facilitate development of presentations, publicize, test, evaluate Develop landowner fact sheets Implement professional development webinars Develop research summaries Plan and implement online trainings on tools and data sets Conduct sub-regional workshops focused on the DSS and integrated research Conduct virtual meeting/s conferences on PINEMAP research Plan and implement an in-person PINEMAP wrap-up symposium for stakeholders Finalize climate risk and opportunity tools Complete version 1 of SPB, fire risk, and density management tool Finalize website look, design, feel Conduct DSS training, climate tools, seed deployment Administration/Management Conduct All Team PINEMAP virtual meetings every other month Plan and conduct 2015 Annual Meeting Plan and implement wrap-up symposium Finalize and publish year 4 annual report Write, compile, edit year 5 annual report Plan and lead monthly Executive Committee meetings Compile two interim progress report (Sept. 2015) Compile information for annual progress report and submit through REEport system (Dec. 2015) Continue updating PINEMAP external web site and intranet site with relevant progress updates, products, etc. Complete year 5 continuation proposal Continue synthesis of team science and integration research data; draft reports and manuscripts In addition, PINEMAP team members are working across Aims on a number of integration platforms to bring interdisciplinary research together to work toward overarching project outcomes. These are described below. • Integrating modeling with economic analyses: Aim 2 and 4 researchers will work together to establish and implement methods for integrating biophysical and economic analyses across scales from stand to region. • Seed deployment tool: Aim 3 researchers will work with Aim 6 DSS developers to determine best methods for integrating the seed deployment tool into the DSS. Aim 3 researchers will work with Aim 2 to identify methods for integrating tool with modeling efforts. • PINEMAP scenario development: Researchers from Aims 1-4 and 6 will work together to develop climate and management scenarios to be used for model simulations that will form the framework for evaluating carbon sequestration and nitrogen use for assessment of PINEMAP outcomes. • PINEMAP Decision Support System: Researchers from Aims 1-4 will provide data and tools to be integrated into the online PINEMAP DSS and members of Aims 1-6 will pilot test and provide input. • PLT Secondary Module: Aim 1, 2, 3, and 6 members provide feedback on draft module and develop narrated PowerPoints and/or videos for the module web site to convey PINEMAP research activities to teachers and students. • Tech transfer/outreach for non-corporate landowners: Researchers from Aims 1-5 provide research for Extension products and assist with the development and implementation of products including workshops/trainings, webinars, fact sheets, etc.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The silviculture and ecophysiology team has measured carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes. Data quantifies the climatic, soils, and management impacts on carbon sequestration in planted pines. Researchers formatted 2013 sap flux data for TerraC, submitted manuscripts for publication, improved LAI measurements, began to explore RH to RS ratio changes with age and season, explored soil microbial processes and litter chemistry, explored bulk density pedotransfer functions, uploaded data to TerraC, upscaled carbon analyses, and will deliver outputs to modelers. Modelers analyzed how management and climate impact stand and regional carbon sequestration, productivity, and resilience. We developed model scenarios, processed climate data from 20 models to estimate variability in 3-PGl, recalibrated 3-PG for site index/ fertility rating data, extracted and aggregated 3-PG outputs to the HUC-12 scale, assessed the ability of 3-PG to predict growth at specific sites, and added the effect of CO2 on photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Baseline runs for growth and yield are complete for 2 management and 2 climate scenarios, LAI relationships have been provided to WaSSI, and growth and yield is ready for climate data from 20 models for comparison with 3-PG and WaSSI. WaSSI researchers developed an ecosystem respiration model using 8 years of field data, scaled transpiration at FACE, and will use NPP/GPP ratio data from 3-PG to get WUE into WaSSI to explore tradeoffs between carbon and water. Community Land Modelers created a grid to replace the original global grid, resampled global input soil properties datasets, simulated initial soil organic carbon stocks, and completed baseline runs for 25 year harvest cycles under RCP 4.5. The genetics team produced a deployment tool based on our network's access to historical and current productivity data from test plantings. The team will use molecular markers to discover important mitigation and adaptation genes and to characterize variation in breeding populations. Version 1 of the tool explains 40-60% of the variation of family performance relative to local families, and will be cross-validated and assessed with climate factors. Phenotypic data on the ADEPT2 clonal trial has been collected and will be used in with genotypes collected from the same clones to test for associations, and genotyping experiments are underway to mesh with CCLONES and PSSSS field trial data. Models based on the WGTIP Seed Source Study suggest sets of adapted families, will be expanded to include additional variables, and will be applied to outputs from projected climate scenarios to show how seedling choices impact future productivity environmental risk mitigation. The economics and policy team assessed the impacts of climate change on the economics of pine, generated annual wildfire forecasts for 9 climate and socio-scenarios, and is using monte-carlo simulations to develop uncertainty profiles to inform DSS tools and stand level NPV calculations. A bio-economic model of beetle impacts is under development and will link climate change related factors to stand level optimal rotations and regional markets for wood products. Data envelopment analysis will determine forest plots' ecosystem services provision efficiency. We developed models based on FIA-based management and ecological factors with a 2 way ecosystem service interaction, including AG carbon, herbaceous richness, net timber volume, and saw timber volume. We analyzed the effect of drivers on ecosystem service interactions in subtropical forests using a genetic algorithm to identify pine-dominated stands that provide optimal ecosystem services and test what climate change proxies affect diversity, timber production, and carbon stores. The education team has educated graduate and undergraduate students, and high school teachers and students, on climate science, forestry, and interdisciplinary research. The final draft of the Project Learning Tree/PINEMAP secondary module including input from over 140 collaborators has been printed. The module contains 14 activities designed to show students the relationship between southeastern forests and climate change, echoing every dimension of PINEMAP's research. A module web site with activity guides, videos, and additional resources was developed and is being revised. The module is being distributed at trainings and workshops and has reached 65 teachers. Progress has been made on a summative evaluation. A teacher self-efficacy tool was pilot tested at a workshop in June 2014. A student knowledge test was pilot tested by high school students during a 4-H event. Graduate students mentored twelve undergraduate students from seven of PINEMAP's collaborating universities participated in the undergraduate fellowship program in 2014. The program includes a 12 week internship and participation in an Effective Communication Skills course and has delivered 107 presentations on forest resources at 25 secondary schools in the southeastern US, reaching a total of 2629 students. The Extension team provides stakeholders with knowledge to address climate change mitigation and adaptation issues. The Extension team has partnered with state climatologists and Extension foresters and faculty to create a PINEMAP Extension network in the Southeast to develop and distribute fact sheets and conduct regional workshops. We conducted a region-wide survey of climate change perceptions among Extension faculty and agents. Programs under development include eXtension modules for the Climate Science and Forests Interaction Community of Practice (CoP); fact sheets and web-based education modules, and the PINEMAP Decision Support System (DSS): a web-based, open-source set of current and future decision support tools and educational materials to assist stakeholders in management of pine, while reducing risk factors of pests, disease, and climate change. A web tool is completed for our Multivariate Adaptive Constructed Analogs (MACA) dataset downscaled from 20 global climate models (including baseline and/or future data; daily, monthly, and annual time step; min/max temperature, precipitation, wind speed, specific humidity, and solar radiation; available at the PINEMAP regional scale, state scale, or HUC12 scale; and RCP 4.5 or 8.5 emission scenarios). We have produced 14 forestry webinars, which have been viewed by 739 users, an average attendance of 53 per webinar. More than 9 landowner factsheets have been completed in the past year, with more than 12 under development. PINEMAP information reached 72 silviculturists through the Western Gulf Silvicultural and Technology Meeting representing 9 million acres - 5 million of those in pine. Based on what they learned, management changes will be made for at least 250,000 acres. Sixteen foresters participated in the initial Texas Forestry Agency Training, representing ~200,000 northeast Texas landowners. This group represents roughly 4 million acres across the Western Gulf region. 150 southeastern extension agents (from foresters to agriculture and natural resource agents) have been trained on climate science, change and mitigation efforts through workshops in Huntsville, AL (May 2013), Wilmington, NC (January 2014), and Athens, GA (September 2014). The Western Gulf workshop and Woodlands Owner workshop (August 2013) had 150 attendees (Diboll, TX). A workshop in Wilmington was attended by 15 Agency foresters.

Publications

Progress 02/28/13 to 02/27/14

Outputs
Target Audience: PINEMAP’s target audiences include industrial and non-industrial forest landowners in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states from Virginia to Texas, plus Arkansas and Oklahoma; graduate and undergraduate students and secondary teachers and students throughout the southeastern U.S.; and climate and forest researchers and Extension agents and staff throughout the southeastern U.S. Target audience outreach efforts conducted in 2013 are described below. Southeastern Forests and Climate Change: A Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Secondary Module Project Learning Tree® (PLT) and PINEMAP have partnered to develop a new secondary module on climate change impacts on southern forest ecosystems, the role of forests in sequestering carbon, and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changing climatic conditions. The 13 engaging activities included in this supplemental teaching resource echo every dimension of PINEMAP’s research. The module is designed for use in life science, environmental science, and agriculture courses in grades 9-12, with potential use in middle school or community college courses. The module activities help students understand climate change, the carbon cycle, forest health, forest management strategies, and how consumers can make a difference through purchasing choices. These concepts are explored using current research and with engaging teaching methods such as a role play and debate, web quests, small group discussions, and a service-learning action project. The activities focus on increasing student knowledge, building systems-thinking and decision-making skills, and instilling confidence that individual and community actions can help address climate change. Activities contain teacher background information and instructions, student handouts, extension and assessment ideas, and additional resources. The module website (http://sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/ee/climate) provides online access to the activity materials, and includes training resources, slide presentations, and videos with researchers. In total, more than 80 people have been connected to the development of these materials, through writing or reviewing activities, participating in the module’s advisory committee, or providing feedback during the expert content review. PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program is a unique twist on the traditional research experience for undergraduates (REU) in that each of the undergraduates accepted into the program is paired with a PINEMAP graduate student mentor and participates in a distance course following completion of the 12-week, full-time summer internship. Undergraduates from across the southeastern U.S. are hired as wage employees of Virginia Tech, earning up to $7,000, and are paired with graduate student researchers at one of PINEMAP’s collaborating universities. This distributed fellowship affords most undergraduate fellows the opportunity to experience working in a setting outside their home universities. Additionally, the program vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. In 2013, 12 undergraduate fellows participated in the program. After the summer internship, fellows participate in a three-credit distance course, Effective Communication Skills. The course is conducted synchronously over the Internet using web conferencing software and meets formally for one hour each week during the fall. Students also complete assignments outside of class as their schedules allow. Students learn various interpersonal written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills through multimedia, readings, and self-reflection, and then put these skills to use when writing an abstract and creating scientific poster and PowerPoint® presentations based on their summer research. Additionally, students develop and give presentations to secondary public school audiences. PINEMAP Distance Graduate Course: Climate and Forests As part of the education outcomes of PINEMAP, the second offering of the online graduate course was conducted during the spring 2013 semester. The course goals were to: engage graduate students in exploring climate change mitigation and adaptation issues in southern pine forests and build capacity for integration among research disciplines and between research and education/Extension The 2-credit course included weekly webinars, an individual research assignment, and a group extension assignment. Nineteen students from 8 universities participated in the spring 2013 course. Climate Change Symposium for Teachers This one-day professional development opportunity for middle and high school science teachers was held on May 24, 2013 at University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. This symposium included faculty research presentations and discussions related to the impact of climate change on marine, coastal, forest, and agricultural systems and engaged educators in novel hands-on activities they can use to teach climate change related topics in the classroom. Florida-specific projections and implications of climate change were used to consider potential risks to coastal development, ecosystems, and forest health. Of the 12 concurrent sessions, 6 were conducted by PINEMAP faculty and students and featured PLT PINEMAP Secondary Module activities. The symposium brought together five partners: PINEMAP, Florida Climate Institute, UF Center for Precollegiate Education and Training, UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, and League of Environmental Educators in Florida. Extension Outreach Efforts 1890s Agroforestry Consortium Climate Change Workshop A workshop was implemented in Huntsville, Alabama in May 2013. Twenty-five Extension specialists from 1890s Universities in the Southeast attended this workshop which focused on climate science, climate change, forestry and climate tools, and PINEMAP research developments. PINEMAP Professional Development Series In October 2013, the PINEMAP Extension team launched a three part webinar series as part of the PINEMAP Professional Development Series. This webinar series was geared toward foresters and natural resource managers and focused on soils and the crucial role they play in forest management. Additional webinar series on other PINEMAP-related topics are under development and will be offered soon. Forest Research Cooperative Outreach Efforts Forest industry cooperators were reached through annual reports, research presentations, and field tours at annual contact meetings conducted by the 8 regional University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program. Changes/Problems:Nothing ReportedWhat opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? As part of the education outcomes of PINEMAP, the second offering of the online graduate course was conducted during the spring 2013 semester. The course goals were to: engage graduate students in exploring climate change mitigation and adaptation issues in southern pine forests and build capacity for integration among research disciplines and between research and education/Extension Nineteen students from 8 universities participated in the spring 2013 course. The PINEMAP Undergraduate Fellowship Program is a unique twist on the traditional research experience for undergraduates (REU) in that each of the undergraduates accepted into the program is paired with a PINEMAP graduate student mentor and participates in a distance course following completion of the 12-week, full-time summer internship. Undergraduates from across the southeastern U.S. are hired as wage employees of Virginia Tech, earning up to $7,000, and are paired with graduate student researchers at one of PINEMAP’s collaborating universities. This distributed fellowship affords most undergraduate fellows the opportunity to experience working in a setting outside their home universities. Additionally, the program vertically integrates undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with the potential for each participant to be exposed to a variety of research interests, skillsets, and learning experiences. In 2013, 12 undergraduate fellows participated in the program. After the summer internship, fellows participate in a three-credit distance course, Effective Communication Skills. The course is conducted synchronously over the Internet using web conferencing software and meets formally for one hour each week during the fall. Students also complete assignments outside of class as their schedules allow. Students learn various interpersonal written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills through multimedia, readings, and self-reflection, and then put these skills to use when writing an abstract and creating scientific poster and PowerPoint® presentations based on their summer research. Additionally, students develop and give presentations to secondary public school audiences. PINEMAP faculty, staff, and graduate students attended and presented at a number of national and international conferences including the 17th Biennial Southern Silviculture Conference, 98th Ecological Society of America Conference, North American Forest Soils Conference, Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference, Plant and Animal Genome XX: The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, 3rd IUFRO Latin American Congress, North American Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference and Research Symposium, and Association of Natural Resource Professionals Biannual Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In year 3, PINEMAP developed and published an annual report containing 24 articles summarizing preliminary research results and education and Extension programs. Hard copies were distributed to partners and stakeholders, and the report is available for download via the PINEMAP web site. In addition, PINEMAP began producing and distributing a quarterly e-newsletter, the PINEMAP Press, to inform and educate partners and stakeholders on important project research results and programs. The PINEMAP web site (http://www.pinemap.org) is a valuable outreach tool, and is continually updated with project updates, research results, and outreach materials. PINEMAP research results were disseminated via national and international conferences/ meetings including: the 17th Biennial Southern Silviculture Conference; 98th Ecological Society of America Conference; North American Forest Soils Conference; Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference; Plant and Animal Genome XX: The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research; 3rd IUFRO Latin American Congress; North American Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference and Research Symposium; and Association of Natural Resource Professionals Biannual Conference. In addition, research was disseminated to corporate forestry partners via annual meetings and reports of the eight University-Corporate-Governmental Research Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Modeling Research Cooperative, Forest Productivity Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program) The PINEMAP Extension team conducted a number of trainings and workshops as described here. A workshop was held in Huntsville, Alabama in May 2013. Twenty-five Extension specialists from 1890s Universities in the Southeast attended. The focus of the workshop was climate science, climate change, forestry and climate tools, and PINEMAP developments. A three-part soils short course webinar series was offered in October 2013 for foresters and resources managers. Additional webinar series on other PINEMAP research topics are under development. The education team conducted a Climate Change Symposium for teachers. This one-day professional development opportunity for middle and high school science teachers was held on May 24, 2013 at University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. This symposium included faculty research presentations and discussions related to the impact of climate change on marine, coastal, forest, and agricultural systems and engaged educators in novel hands-on activities they can use to teach climate change related topics in the classroom. Florida-specific projections and implications of climate change were used to consider potential risks to coastal development, ecosystems, and forest health. Of the 12 concurrent sessions, 6 were conducted by PINEMAP faculty and students and featured module activities. The symposium brought together five partners: PINEMAP, Florida Climate Institute, University of Florida Center for Precollegiate Education and Training, University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation, and League of Environmental Educators in Florida What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The preliminary year 4 (March 1, 2014-February 28, 2015) PINEMAP work plan is provided below. Aim 1 (Silviculture & Ecophysiology) Continue data collection at the four Tier III (throughfall exclusion x fertilization) sites Continue data collection at Tier II (active experiment) sites Conduct quantification of regional variation in soil respiration Continue assessment of genotypic and treatment differences in carbon use efficiency (NPP:GPP) and regional variation in carbon sequestration efficiency (NEP:GPP) Conduct assessment of Tier III treatment effects Conduct assessment of climate, soil, and management impacts on soil GHG flux Conduct assessment of regional C, nutrient, and H2O baselines and responses to management from measured Tier II data Regionalize estimates of water use efficiency for application in 3-PG and WaSSI Aim 2 (Modeling) Continue development of improved process and hybrid models parameterized from network measurements Complete predictions of C pool dynamics at varying scales for alternative land use, management, and climate scenarios Continue development of improved growth and yield models with climate inputs and C balance Continue development of regional map of potential climate or anthropogenic limitations to productivity Assess tradeoffs between regional C sequestration, forest products, and maintenance of ecosystem services Develop prototype of carbon management decision support system tools to solicit structured feedback (climate scenarios) Complete prototypes of decision support system modules (pest, genetics: growth and yield responses, 3-PG, and fire risk) Aim 3 (Genetics) Identify new markers for genotypes in ADEPT2, CCLONES, and PSSSS populations Identify phenotypes for adaptive traits in ADEPT2 and CCLONES Identify phenotypes for growth and growth responsiveness to nutrition in ADEPT2 and CCLONES Phenotype wood density and lignin content of ADEPT2 Discover alleles associated with water relations (existing phenotypes, new markers) Discover alleles associated growth and nitrogen responsiveness (existing phenotypes, new markers) Discover and validate alleles and genes associated with growth and adaptive traits in 3 populations (new markers) Aim 4 (Economics & Policy) Continue assessment of policies and programs that may affect C mitigation in planted pine forests Continue documenting landowner adoption of mitigation and adaptation strategies Life cycle assessment of wood products within forest and various management strategies Finalize NPV and regional market impacts of altered disturbance risks Investigate and develop techniques to incorporate landowner survey, ecosystem services, and non-market research into regional market modeling framework Synthesize and analyze data from regional survey of family forest landowners and C sequestration Bioeconomic modeling of nontimber market ecosystem services Aim 5 (Education) Undergraduate Internship Program Facilitate and monitor 2014 undergraduate summer fellowships Conduct 2014 undergraduate fellowship distance course “Effective Communication Skills” Select winners of 2015 undergraduate fellowships and graduate mentor proposals PLT Secondary Module Complete formative evaluation of module Analyze formative evaluation results, revise module Distribute final module through workshops and trainings Aim 6 (Extension) Implement monthly PINEMAP webinar series Finalize, publish manuscript on data from professional foresters survey Continue development of PINEMAP Extension web site Conduct cyber workshops for continuing education for Extension professionals, practitioners Continue DSS development; revise/refine DSS based on feedback from pilot test Continue development of and conduct DSS trainings Conduct DSS evaluation Continue ongoing Extension product evaluation Administration/Management Conduct All Team PINEMAP virtual meetings every other month Conduct 2014 Annual Meeting Plan and implement national PINEMAP meeting Plan 2015 Annual Meeting Finalize and publish year 3 annual report Write, compile, edit year 4 annual report Continue producing quarterly newsletter (PINEMAP Press) Plan and lead monthly Executive Committee meetings Compile two interim progress reports (Sept. 2014 and March 2015) Compile information for annual progress report and submit through REEport system Continue updating PINEMAP external web site and intranet site with relevant progress updates, products, etc. Complete year 5 continuation proposal Continue synthesis of team science and integration research data; draft reports and manuscripts Conduct research on and develop framework for corporate tech transfer models In addition, PINEMAP team members are working across Aims on a number of integration platforms to bring interdisciplinary research together to work toward overarching project outcomes. These are described below. Integrating modeling with economic analyses: Aim 2 and 4 researchers will work together to establish and implement methods for integrating biophysical and economic analyses across scales from stand to region. Seed deployment tool: Aim 3 researchers will work with Aim 6 DSS developers to determine best methods for integrating the seed deployment tool into the DSS. Aim 3 researchers will work with Aim 2 to identify methods for integrating tool with modeling efforts. PINEMAP scenario development: Researchers from Aims 1-4 and 6 will work together to develop climate and management scenarios to be used for model simulations that will form the framework for evaluating carbon sequestration and nitrogen use for assessment of PINEMAP outcomes. PINEMAP Decision Support System: Researchers from Aims 1-4 will provide data and tools to be integrated into the online PINEMAP DSS and members of Aims 1-6 will pilot test and provide input. PLT Secondary Module: Aim 1, 2, 3, and 6 members provide feedback on draft module and develop narrated PowerPoints and/or videos for the module web site to convey PINEMAP research activities to teachers and students. Tech transfer/outreach for non-corporate landowners: Researchers from Aims 1-5 provide research for Extension products and assist with the development and implementation of products including workshops/trainings, webinars, fact sheets, etc.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Pine Integrated Network: Education, Mitigation, and Adaptation Project (PINEMAP) focuses on the 20 million acres of planted pine forests managed by private landowners in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states from Virginia to Texas, plus Arkansas and Oklahoma. These forests provide critical economic and ecological services to U.S. citizens. PINEMAP’s overall goal is to create, synthesize, and disseminate knowledge that enables southern pine landowners to manage forests to increase carbon sequestration by 15% by 2030; increase the efficiency of nitrogen and other fertilizer inputs by 10% by 2030; and adapt forest management approaches and plant improved tree varieties to increase forest resilience and sustainability under variable climates. NIFA funded PINEMAP to produce and disseminate the knowledge necessary to better manage planted southern pine forests in a changing world. PINEMAP is charged with producing real-world outcomes, and, accordingly, our research and deliverables are structured around a set of outcome themes: Increased carbon (C) sequestration from silvicultural and genetic enhancement of productivity and efficiency of fertilizer use, and resilience to climate variability and disturbance. Engaged and literate public with the capacity to make informed, practical decisions related to climate, forest ecosystems, and forest management. Public policy that supports sustainable management of planted pine under future climate scenarios. Enhanced capacity for regional, interdisciplinary collaboration among climate and forest scientists and Extension and education professionals. Enhanced connections between corporate and noncorporate forest landowners and forestry and climate researchers and education and outreach professionals. A more robust and resilient forest-based economy in the Southeast U.S. These outcomes and impacts will be achieved through the project’s integrated research and education programs. The silviculture and ecophysiology team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts primarily through the establishment and measurement of carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes on the three-tiered monitoring network. The data generated from this network will quantify the climatic, soils, and management impacts on carbon sequestration in planted pine ecosystems. During this reporting period, researchers conducted assessment of Tier III (throughfall exclusion x fertilization experiment) treatment effects on leaf gas exchange, leaf water potential, soil heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration, fate of applied fertilizer nitrogen, greenhouse gas flux, and sap flux density. Data from the Tier I (legacy experiment) sites is being used to model carbon and nutrient content with a range of models. Researchers also collected data on regional carbon, nutrient, and H20 baselines and responses to management. The modeling team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts by assessing and analyzing how changing management and climate will impact stand and regional carbon sequestration, productivity, and resilience to disturbance. Researchers made significant progress in validating the Physiological Principles to Predict Growth (3-PG) model across the loblolly pine region. 3-PG can accurately estimate aboveground biomass and volume growth using this approach. Researchers worked on an initial prototype of growth and yield models with climate inputs and carbon balance. Basal area and dominant height growth and survival models incorporating general response to silvicultural treatments for loblolly pine stands were developed using Tier I (legacy experiment) network data. The genetics team makes two important contributions to project-level outcomes and impacts. One is a genetic deployment tool based on analysis of productivity data from test plantings across the region which will aid stakeholders in making sound genetic deployment decisions under changing climatic conditions. The second will be to guide tree breeding programs and advance the understanding of genetic variation in resilience to climate variables in pine by using molecular markers to discover genes associated with important mitigation and adaptation traits and characterize variation in pine breeding populations. Two general methods for detecting genetic variation are being compared and some alternative strategies are being explored for one of the methods. In addition, researchers are using historical progeny tests to optimize pine breeding and deployment strategies. Specifically, the goal is to provide landowners with insights about how their choices of seedlings may impact future productivity and give them the tools to mitigate environmental risks. The economics and policy team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts by providing the analysis that will underpin land manager decision-making in future management and climatic conditions. Researchers have completed a draft summary of market-based programs and policies that are likely to impact carbon mitigation and have started work summarizing federal and state programs and policies and have assessed economics of loblolly pine under the risk of climate change and integrated climate extremes and adaptations into the modeling of southern pine beetle infestations. Researchers are also conducting bioeconomic modeling of nontimber market ecosystem services and are also developing an economic framework to assess changes in forest management and biophysical characteristics due to climate change and their impacts on ecosystem services. Finally, literature on ecosystem service tradeoffs and synergies and the effect of biophysical drivers on these interactions has been synthesized. The education team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts through educating graduate and undergraduate students, along with high school teachers and students, on climate science, forestry, and interdisciplinary research. The final draft of the Project Learning Tree/PINEMAP secondary module has been completed. The module contains 13 activities that are designed to introduce students to the relationship between southeastern forests and climate change, echoing every dimension of PINEMAP’s research. A module web site with activity guides, videos, and additional resources was also developed. The module is currently undergoing pilot testing and formative evaluation. Twelve undergraduate fellows participated in the undergraduate fellowship program in 2013. The program includes a 12 week internship and participation in an Effective Communication Skills course. The Extension team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts through development and dissemination of informational products and tools which provide stakeholders with knowledge and skills needed to address planted pine climate change mitigation and adaptation issues. The Extension team is partnering with state climatologists to develop fact sheets and regional workshops on climate and forestry interactions. Extension team members conducted a survey of professional foresters across the Southeast which was completed by more than 1,700 foresters yielding a 27% response rate. This survey examined forester and natural resource professionals’ needs for continuing education programs on increasing forest productivity (particularly pine plantation productivity) and resilience to extreme weather, climate variability, and climate change. The PINEMAP Decision Support System (DSS) is a tool being designed that will offer a collection of web-based tools and educational materials to assist professional foresters, Extension agents, and landowners with decision making regarding land management practices while reducing risk factors such as pests, disease, and climate change. A prototype DSS web site has been developed, and tools are under development.

Publications

Progress 03/01/12 to 02/27/13

Outputs
OUTPUTS: PINEMAP initiated a quarterly newsletter to educate collaborators, partners, and stakeholders about research results and programs. Team members presented at national and regional conferences and research meetings. Eighty-two team members participated in an annual meeting in May 2012. The project web site (www.pinemap.org) is continually updated to disseminate results. The silviculture and ecophysiology team established a three-tiered monitoring network. Legacy Experiment sites have been identified and data uploaded. Active Experiment sites have been identified. Four Throughfall Exclusion and Fertilization Experiments sites were installed: throughfall diverters were completed and plots were fertilized; chemical weed control was administered; sap flow monitors and weather stations were installed. Protocols for field ecology measurements were finalized and data is being collected. The modeling team completed an assessment of management and climate effects on loblolly pine C and H2O budgets over a rotation cycle using the Physiological Principles in Predicting Growth (3-PG) model. An assessment of alternative methods for quantifying forest water use has also been completed. The genetics team is developing version 1 of the genetic deployment tool, and has compared genotyping technologies for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The economics and policy team has completed assessments of: policies and programs that affect C mitigation in planted pine forests; regional market impacts based on business-as-usual assumptions; NPV and regional market impacts of adaptation strategies and altered disturbance risks; ecosystem functions and goods and services; trade-off analysis and optimization; and implications of carbon sequestration on economic rents for southern forestland owners. The team completed a survey to assess willingness of landowners to adopt mitigation and adaptation strategies and has developed models on herbaceous richness, hurricane risk, and southern pine beetle infestation. The education team developed 10 activities for the PLT PINEMAP Secondary Module. A distance graduate course was offered in spring 2012; 22 students from 8 universities participated. The Undergraduate Internship Program was launched in 2012; six interns were paired with graduate student mentors to conduct research. Interns gave presentations to local secondary school classes or scouting groups. We conducted an educator climate change needs assessment survey and a survey of high school educators to study knowledge, attitudes, and teaching practices related to forest management. The Extension team reached 1,117 individuals through face-to-face training and 390 individuals through technology assisted webinars. Twenty-one Extension fact sheets are in progress or in review. Team members conducted a study to measure Extension professionals' perceptions of global climate change. 2,589 Extension professionals in 8 states in the Southeast responded. The team launched a survey for to examine professional foresters' needs for continuing education programs on forest productivity and resilience in the face of climate variability and change. PARTICIPANTS: *Individuals* The PINEMAP project has: 55 Co-PIs from 11 institutions (University of Florida, Alcorn State University, Auburn University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the USDA Forest Service); 18 Research and technical staff; 6 Postdocs; and 37 graduate students (17 M.S., 20 Ph.D.) *Partner organizations* The project is actively networking with the following university-corporate-governmental research cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Nutrition Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program. In addition, the project is working closely with the multi-state Southeast Climate Consortium and state climate offices as well as secondary school educators and the Project Learning Tree network. *Training and professional development* PINEMAP implemented an internal webinar series which serves as an educational resource to facilitate the sharing of knowledge among PINEMAP team members on a variety of topic areas. The webinars have proven to be a valuable tool to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration among all facets of the project and provide an opportunity for collaborators to efficiently come up to speed on topics important to PINEMAP research which are outside of individuals' specific areas of expertise. As part of the education component of PINEMAP, a climate and forests distance graduate course was launched in the spring of 2012. The course goals are to 1) prepare graduate students to address climate change mitigation and adaptation issues in southern pine forests; 2) facilitate greater levels of integration by encouraging students to engage in processes designed to enhance communication, cooperation, and collaboration among disciplines and across research, education, and Extension functions; and 3) build interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach capacity. Twenty-two students (16 Ph.D. and 6 M.S.) from 8 southeastern universities in the spring 2012 course and an interdisciplinary team of 15 PINEMAP faculty members assisted with course instruction and assignment coordination. The course also provides a platform for faculty to interact and better understand the variety of interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach elements within the PINEMAP project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are the industrial and non-industrial forest landowners in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states from Virginia to Texas, plus Arkansas and Oklahoma. Through integrated, interdisciplinary research, education, and Extension efforts, we are reaching graduate and undergraduate students secondary teachers and students throughout the Southeast. Training programs and workshops are reaching climate and forest researchers and Extension agents and staff throughout the Southeast. Research-based trainings and workshops were conducted as summarized below. -PINEMAP faculty conducted a workshop for industry members on the impacts of the 2011 drought on growth of loblolly pine in the south in Alexandria, LA on June 12, 2012. -PINEMAP faculty co-taught a week-long workshop entitled "Genetic Data Analysis: Applications in Plant and Animal Breeding" at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic, June 11-15, 2012. -Konstantin Krutovsky of Texas A&M University co-taught a week-long workshop entitled "Population genetic and genomic approaches to mitigate global climate change impacts on forest genetic resources and to breed more resilient trees" organized by Busgen Institute, Department of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, University of Gottingen and funded by EvolTree (Evolution of Trees as Drivers of Terrestrial Biodiversity, EU-funded Network of Excellence), September 24-28, 2012, Gottingen, Germany. *Education and Extension programs conducted are summarized below.* The PINEMAP Internship Program partnered 6 undergraduate students with graduate student mentors to provide a hands-on research experience in summer 2012. Interns also enrolled in a fall distance education course in inquiry-based science education, developed engaging lessons for secondary school life science, biology, or social studies classes, and visited classrooms in their communities to lead these inquiry-based activities. In conjunction with the secondary module on southern forests and climate change, we conducted a half-day program with 48 high school students in two Science Quest programs, a week-long residential science camp program. We also worked with 90 high school students to provide basic information about climate change and to help them understand why people have different perceptions on the issue in two sessions. University of Florida Extension faculty organized an extension workshop in Leon County, Florida for forest landowners, "Climate and Forests, What's Changing", to answer answering questions about climate change, enhance the ability of the participants to adapt to changes in climate, and provide tools and strategies for coping with these changes. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The silviculture and ecophysiology team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts primarily through the establishment and measurement of carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes on the three-tiered monitoring network. The data generated from this network will quantify the climatic, soils, and management impacts on carbon sequestration in planted pine ecosystems and provide data necessary for the modeling team to build and verify stand- to regional-level models that simulate pine forest dynamics under varying climate. These data and simulations will form the core of the PINEMAP Decision Support System which will provide landowners and managers the tools necessary to make decisions about managing planted pine for increased carbon sequestration, enhanced fertilizer efficiency, and resilience to altered disturbance regimes. The modeling team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts by assessing and analyzing how changing management and climate will impact stand and regional carbon sequestration, productivity, and resilience to disturbance. Fine scale measurements are transferred using multiple scale models to extrapolate to the region. Potential current and future stress impacts on forest productivity and carbon sequestration will be assessed using scaled ecosystem models, as will tradeoffs between maximizing forest productivity and other ecosystem services such as recreation, biodiversity, and water yield. The genetics team makes two important contributions to project-level outcomes and impacts. One is a genetic deployment tool based on analysis of productivity data from test plantings across the region which will aid stakeholders in making sound genetic deployment decisions under changing climatic conditions. The second will be to guide tree breeding programs and advance the understanding of genetic variation in resilience to climate variables in pine by using molecular markers to discover genes associated with important mitigation and adaptation traits and characterize variation in pine breeding populations. The genetics team will provide input and benefit to tree breeding programs based on insights gleaned from the stand-level studies and modeling to make tree improvement more efficient. The economics and policy team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts by providing the analysis that will underpin land manager decision-making in future management and climatic conditions. From the stand- to the regional-scale, economic impacts of disturbance, climate, management, and policy alternatives must form the basis of any viable and sustainable management change. The education team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts through educating graduate and undergraduate students, along with high school teachers and students, on climate science, forestry, and interdisciplinary research. The Extension team contributes to project-level outcomes and impacts through development and dissemination of informational products and tools which provide stakeholders with knowledge and skills needed to address planted pine climate change mitigation and adaptation issues.

Publications

Progress 03/01/11 to 02/28/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Pine Integrated Network: Education, Mitigation and Adaptation (PINEMAP) project is organized into 6 Aim groups. The following summarizes outputs by Aim group for the first 9 months of the project (March 1 - November 30, 2011): Aim 1: Monitoring network establishment and measurement -Regional C and nutrient baselines from Tier 1 data. -Selection of Tier 2 sites. -Installation and initial measurement of Tier 3 sites. -Compiled regional soil respiration database. -Compiling data from Tier 1 and 2 sites for improving fertility rating. Aim 2: Multi-scaled modeling -Assessment of: management effects on loblolly pine C budget over a rotation cycle; climate change factors on loblolly pine C and H2O exchange; and resolution of alternative methods for quantifying forest H2O use. -Compiled regional satellite, meteorological, climate scenarios, and soils data for modeling. -Assessment of management alternatives with Tier 1 data and existing C models. -Prepared proposal for predicting C pool dynamics for alternative land use, management, and climate scenarios. -Refined forest management modules for integration into Decision Support System. Aim 3: Gene discovery and deployment guidelines -Recorded latitude and longitude for progeny tests and county centroids for the family origins. -Determined appropriate genome reduction methods for genotyping by sequencing. Aim 4: Multi-scale policy and economic analysis -Developed a stand-level model to quantify net expected economic rents for landowners under the risk of catastrophic disturbances associated with future climate. -Assessment of: policies and programs that may affect C mitigation; regional economic impacts under business-as-usual with Sub-regional Timber Supply Model; landowners' mitigation and adaptation strategies; life cycle assessment of carbon emissions from various silvicultural activities; and economic losses from altered disturbance risks. Aim 5: Educational and training programs for stakeholders and students -Developed scope and sequence and 5 pilot activities for Project Learning Tree (PLT) Secondary Module. -Assessment of existing climate change activities to guide development of PLT Secondary Module. -Disseminated applications for Undergraduate Internship Program -Development of syllabi for undergraduate distance course on inquiry-based science ed. and graduate distance course. -Disseminated high school teacher survey on use of forestry-related concepts. -Established PLT Secondary Module Advisory Committee. Aim 6: Extension program development and delivery -Surveyed SE Extension system to assess attitudes, beliefs, practices, and interest in climate change programs. -Implementation of focus groups to assess forest landowner perceptions of climate change. -Training state teams for deployment of Extension materials and programs. -Developing Extension fact sheets for regional distribution. -Planning design and implementation of Decision Support System. -Collaborating with eXtension program and Climate Science and Forests Interaction Community of Practice on development and implementation of eXtension modules. -Strengthening forestry Extension/climatologist partnerships. PARTICIPANTS: The PINEMAP project has: 52 Co-Principal Investigators from 11 institutions (University of Florida, Alcorn State University, Auburn University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Forest Service); 12 staff members; 10 M.S. students, 12 Ph.D. students, 4 postdoctoral research associates, and 2 undergraduate students. The Project Director and Co-PIs are all members of one or more Aim groups. Aim Leaders coordinate the activities of each aim group and manage Aim tasks, deliverables, and milestones to ensure Aims are on track to achieve overarching goals and objectives. The Aim Leaders are also members of the Executive Committee. Aim Leaders are as follows: Tom Fox, Mike Kane, Randy Wynne, Steve McNulty, Ross Whetten, Tom Byram, Jianbang Gan, Douglas Carter, Martha Monroe, John Seiler, Bill Hubbard, and Eric Taylor. The Project Management Team is made up of the Project Director and Project Coordinator and Integration Leaders and meets on a monthly basis. Timothy A. Martin, Project Director, ensures that the long-term outcomes, goals, and milestones are achieved on time while using resources efficiently and effectively. Dr. Martin also chairs the project's Executive Committee. Jessica Ireland, Project Coordinator, coordinates project reporting, manages the project web site and Intranet site, facilitates communication among researchers, and organizes and facilitates project reporting and meetings. The project Integration Leaders promote collaboration and trans-disciplinary integration: Gary Peter (Adaptation goal); Martha Monroe (Education/Extension goals); Tom Fox (Mitigation goal). Additional Project staff include: John Kidd, Undergraduate Internship Program Coordinator; Heather Dinon, Applied Climatologist; Matthew Bonham, Extension Assistant; Leslie Boby, Extension Associate; Geoffrey Lokuta, Madison Akers, and Andy Laviner, Research Coordinators; Elaine Stebler and Sam Frye, Research Technicians; Brandon Hoover, Data Manager; and Annie Oxarart, Education Coordinator.The project is actively networking with the following University-industry Cooperatives: Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program, Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, Forest Biology Research Cooperative, Forest Nutrition Cooperative, Plantation Management Research Cooperative, Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, and Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program. In addition, the project is working closely with the multi-state Southeast Climate Consortium and state climate offices as well as researchers in the U.S. Forest Service. The project has made connections with the following outside research groups/projects: the National Science Foundation Center for Advanced Forestry Systems, NASA Ames Research Center, Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board, Climate Literacy Partnership in the Southeast, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, and the Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems. TARGET AUDIENCES: The overarching goal of this proposal is to create, synthesize, and disseminate the knowledge necessary to enable southern pine landowners to harness forest productivity to mitigate atmospheric CO2 and to more efficiently use nitrogen and other fertilizer inputs, and to adapt their forest management approaches to increase resilience in the face of changing climate. Our focus is on planted pine forests in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states from Virginia to Texas, plus Arkansas and Oklahoma, managed by industrial and non-industrial private landowners. Our primary focus will be on loblolly pine, the dominant commercial species in the region. The economic, environmental and social benefits of our efforts will be rapid and maximized with a focus on these landowner/producer groups because (1) technology transfer connections are well established and efficient between cooperative research programs and all major industrial forestland owners in the region, as well as many private non-industrial owners through consulting firms, (2) non-industrial entities own 58% of all forestland in the region, so even incremental changes in this group will have substantial cumulative regional benefits, and (3) regional Extension and education programs are well connected through the Southern Regional Extension Forestry Office and national Project Learning Tree network. Our approach will build trans-disciplinary research, education and outreach capacity aimed at mitigating climate change impacts through an understanding of adaptation and management potential in the region. We integrate disciplinary expertise from all major regional university forestry cooperative programs, as well as accumulated data, germplasm, and infrastructure, with outreach and education specialists from major research universities and minority-serving institutions in the region, the USDA Forest Service, and climate scientists associated with the multi-state SE Climate Consortium and state climate offices. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Because of delays in the release of year 1 sub-contract funds to the collaborating universities, no-cost extensions are anticipated.

Impacts
At this stage, the primary project outcomes and impacts involve protocol development, internal project professional development, and outreach to research cooperatives: -Development of protocols for the following sampling methods: ecosystem C and N; 15N fertilizer uptake and fate; NH3 volatilization and N2O loss following N fertilization; soil chemical and physical properties; soil CO2 efflux measurements; leaf level gas exchange from photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration rates based on sap flow; leaf area index; separation of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration; and water use efficiency based on C isotope analysis of wood samples. -Development of protocol for data transfer from cooperatives to TerraC data management system. -Implementation of an internal webinar series to enable project participants to learn about climate science, and to improve their knowledge of different project focus areas. Webinars implemented thus far include: Understanding the link between weather/climate (32 attendees); Understanding the causal factors of drought, expected patterns, and impact on forested landscapes (23 attendees); and Tier 3 site locations and objectives (27 attendees) -PINEMAP climate scientists interacted with industrial forest managers at research cooperative meetings. Cooperative meetings attended by PINEMAP collaborators include: Forest Biology Research Cooperative meeting, Gainesville, FL, September 29-30, 2011; Tree Improvement Program meeting, Macon, GA, November 8-10, 2011. A sap flow workshop was organized in November 2011, and 15 project collaborators participated. The outcome of this meeting was the standardization of the sap flow techniques (heat dissipation method) that will be used at the Tier 3 sites to measure tree water use and finalize methods for future data analysis. In addition, a number of outcomes were completed at the administrative level: -Project website and intranet site launched. -Monthly Executive Committee meetings initiated. -Operating Principles and Guidelines developed and approved by Executive Committee. -Reporting/progress tracking system developed: quarterly reporting structure and guidelines established and online tracking of project tasks, deliverables, and milestones implemented.

Publications