Forests modify snow accumulation and ablation rates as well as overall snow storage amounts and durations, with multiple processes acting simultaneously and often in different directions. To synthesize complex forest–snow relations and help guide near-term management decisions, we present a decision tree. The framework is based on a hypothesized hierarchy of processes and associated variables that predict forest effects on snow storage. In locations with high wind speeds, forests enhance snow storage magnitude and duration relative to open areas. Where wind speeds are low, and winter and spring air temperatures are colder, forests diminish snow storage magnitude but enhance duration. Where air temperatures are warmer, forests diminish both snow magnitude and duration. Forest structure and aspect are secondary influences. We apply the decision tree framework to map the influence of forests on snow storage under historic climate conditions across the western United States, but this decision tree is applicable in any region with forests and snow. This framework provides practitioners a first-step evaluation to guide management decisions that consider where and how forests can be managed to optimize in situ water storage alongside other objectives, such as reducing wildfire hazard. This framework also articulates geospatial hypotheses, in order of anticipated importance, to be tested in future investigations of forest–snow–climate relations.

中文翻译：

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对积雪的森林影响排序：森林管理的决策工具

森林会改变积雪和消融率以及整体积雪量和持续时间，多个过程同时且通常在不同方向起作用。为了综合复杂的森林-雪地关系并帮助指导近期的管理决策，我们提出了一个决策树。该框架基于一个假设的过程层次结构和相关变量，可以预测森林对积雪的影响。在风速高的地方，相对于开放区域，森林增加了积雪量和持续时间。在风速较低且冬季和春季气温较低的地方，森林会减少积雪量，但会增加持续时间。在气温较高的地方，森林会减少降雪量和持续时间。森林结构和方面是次要影响。我们应用决策树框架来绘制美国西部历史气候条件下森林对积雪的影响，但该决策树适用于任何有森林和积雪的地区。该框架为从业者提供了第一步评估，以指导管理决策，考虑在何处以及如何管理森林以优化原位蓄水以及其他目标，例如减少野火危害。该框架还按照预期重要性的顺序阐明了地理空间假设，以在未来的森林-雪-气候关系调查中进行测试。该框架为从业者提供了第一步评估，以指导管理决策，考虑在何处以及如何管理森林以优化原位蓄水以及其他目标，例如减少野火危害。该框架还按照预期重要性的顺序阐明了地理空间假设，以在未来的森林-雪-气候关系调查中进行测试。该框架为从业者提供了第一步评估，以指导管理决策，考虑在何处以及如何管理森林以优化原位蓄水以及其他目标，例如减少野火危害。该框架还按照预期重要性的顺序阐明了地理空间假设，以在未来的森林-雪-气候关系调查中进行测试。