Forest Management Options for Climate Change Adaptation in Temperate Forests—A Systematic Map

Temperate forests face intensifying climatic stress, yet evidence on management-based adaptation remains fragmented. We systematically mapped peer-reviewed evidence on forest management interventions implemented or proposed for adaptation in temperate forests. Web of Science and Scopus searches yielded 130 eligible records, including primary empirical studies, modelling studies and reviews/perspectives. Records were coded for context, interventions, mechanisms, outcomes, monitoring, implementation constraints and trade-offs. Analyses included descriptive statistics, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and a sensitivity analysis of 53 records describing experimental or operational interventions. Evidence was concentrated in Europe and North America, predominantly addressing drought. Thinning studies reported benefits from reduced competition alongside trade-offs from canopy opening and microclimatic exposure, highlighting the importance of thinning intensity and gap area. Regeneration studies emphasized balancing light availability with microclimatic protection, while browsing frequently constrained establishment. Species mixing, diversification and continuous cover forestry commonly occurred in records reporting favourable outcomes, although the independent effects of diversification and continuous cover forestry could not be isolated. Assisted-migration outcomes varied with species, provenance and transfer conditions. Of 107 records with assessed outcomes, 96 (89.7%) were classified as successful (n = 58) or partly successful (n = 38) based on the original authors’ conclusions. Observation or monitoring periods were quantified for 64 records (median: 7 years; interquartile range: 4–13.5 years), indicating limited long-term evidence. Knowledge gaps and browsing pressure were the leading implementation constraints, while maladaptation uncertainty and biodiversity loss or species-composition change were the most frequent trade-offs. MCA described intervention–context associations without clear separation by reported outcome. Overall, the map highlights diversified, structurally heterogeneous stands with canopy continuity and site-specific density regulation as promising directions, while underscoring the urgent need for long-term monitoring and the systematic integration of browsing management into adaptive silviculture.