Climate Change and...
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Information and Tools for Land Managers
Archived Recent Additions:
American Pika and Climate Change
Watch Forest Service research ecologist Connie Millar talk about the American pika and how they might respond to changing climate conditions in the eastern Sierra. ~Posted October 2012
Forest adaptation resources: Climate change tools and approaches for land managers
The forests of northern Wisconsin, a defining feature of the region's landscape, are expected to undergo numerous changes in response to the changing climate. ~Posted June 2012
Climate Change on the Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming
This report synthesizes the paleo and historical climate of the Shoshone and discusses what future climates may look like and what the effects may be on natural resources.~Posted June 2012
Climate project screening tool: an aid for climate change adaptation.
The authors present a new tool, the Climate Project Screening Tool (CPST), for integrating climate change considerations into project planning and developing concrete adaptation options for land managers. ~Posted June 2012
A Risk Assessment of Climate Change and the Impact of Forest Diseases on Forest Ecosystems in the Western United States and Canada.This risk assessment projects the effects of eight forest diseases under two climate-change scenarios (warmer and drier, warmer and wetter). ~Posted May 2012
Climate Change PEPs – Impacts and Effects on Vegetation
This 2011 symposium featured research on the projected impacts of climatic changes on vegetation, with an emphasis on practical assessment and management. ~Posted May 2012
Climate BasicsThe CCRC has updated its Climate Change Basics section. ~Posted April 2012
SAF Forest ScienceThis special issue of Forest Science features articles on forest carbon cycles, disturbance and climate effects on carbon, carbon quantification, bioenergy, and management interaction with carbon. ~Posted April 2012
SNAP interactive climate map - Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning
A new map from the Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning (SNAP) provides climate data projections for Alaska and western Canada for each decade through 2100. . ~Posted March 2012
Climate Change Response Framework
This Climate Change Response Framework represents a collaborative approach among researchers, managers, and landowners to incorporate climate change considerations into forest management. A new website allows for collaboration on three framework projects taking place in the eastern United States.. ~Posted March 2012
Responding to Climate Change on National Forests: A Guidebook for Developing Adaptation Options
This guidebook contains science-based principles, processes, and tools necessary to assist with developing adaptation options for national forest lands. The adaptation process is based on partnerships between local resource managers and scientists who work collaboratively to understand potential climate change effects, identify important resource issues, and develop management options that can capitalize on new opportunities and reduce deleterious effects. ~Posted January 2012
Global Carbon Budget 2010The Global Carbon Project recently published its annual update of the global carbon budget and carbon trends, which include data for the year 2010. The website includes a number of resources for sharing and communicating data in the report, such as downloadable summary highlights, powerpoint presentations, figures and datasets. ~Posted January 2012
Managing Forests because Carbon Matters: Integrating Energy, Products, and Land Management Policy
A special report published in the Journal of Forestry is intended to help land managers make decisions about how forests are best managed to help offset carbon emissions. Major topics include climate-forest interactions, forest carbon policy, and the use of forest biomass for energy. Many US Forest Service scientists contributed to the report. ~Posted November 2011
Carbon Cycle Science Plan (2011)
More than a decade ago, the first U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan was developed due to a need for improved understanding of the global carbon cycle and better research coordination. This new 2011 plan outlines a strategy for refocusing U.S. carbon cycle research based on the current state of the science. ~Posted November 2011
Climate Data GuideThe National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has recently developed The Climate Data Guide, a website devoted to the ins and outs of obtaining and analyzing various existing climatic data sets. It is envisioned as a focal point for users to find not only data, but also expert-user guidance, commentary, and questions and advice on appropriate data applications. ~Posted November 2011
New Climate Tools: SAVS and MAPSS-Century 1
The CCRC is continually adding to it's list of climate change and carbon tools. See some of the most recent updates. ~Posted November 2011
Adapting to climate change at Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park
A newly published general technical report (GTR) highlights a climate change adaptation case study at Olympic National Forest in partnership with Olympic National Park. The case study process involved science-based sensitivity assessments, review of management activities and constraints, and adaptation workshops in each of four focus areas (hydrology and roads, fish, vegetation, and wildlife). ~Posted October 2011
PARKScience - Special Issue: Climate Change Adaptation & Communication
A recent edition of Park Science, a research and resource management bulletin of the U.S. National Park Service, is focused on the topic of climate change adaptation and communication. ~Posted September 2011
Ecosystem vulnerability assessment and synthesis
This recently-finalized assessment looks at northern Wisconsin's vulnerability to climate change, and incorporates information and expertise from a variety of scientists and land managers. It is part of a larger effort in northern Wisconsin called the Climate Change Response Framework project, which uses the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest as a pilot landscape to examine climate impacts and potential responses. ~Posted August 2011
Science Investi-gator Pacific Northwest Research Station Climate Change Edition
In this science journal for elementary school students, you will find research that focuses on the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The scientists in this region have been studying how climate change may be affecting different animals, plants, and ecosystems. In this journal, you will read about four topics. ~Posted July 2011
Compass Issue 18 - Perspectives and tools to benefit southern forest resources from the Southern Research StationThe latest quarterly science magazine from the Southern Research Station is focused on climate change. ~Posted July 2011
National Report on Sustainable Forests–2010.
Released during the International Year of the Forest (2011), this report describes conditions and trends of forests in the United States. A similar report was published in 2004, and the release of the current document represents an opportunity to evaluate the progress recently made by U.S. forest land owners and managers toward the goal of sustainable forests in this country. Climate change, carbon sequestration, and bioenergy all represent prominent issues within the report. ~Posted July 2011
Silvicultural decisionmaking in an uncertain climate future: a workshop-based exploration of considerations, strategies, and approaches.This paper highlights a workshop that was held to explore silvicultural strategies for addressing the uncertainties surrounding climate change and forest response in the northeastern and north-central United States. Outcomes of this workshop included identification of broad management strategies and approaches for creating forests that can adapt to rapidly changing conditions. ~Posted July 2011
Workshop Approach for Developing Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Actions for Natural Resource Management Agencies
in the United States.Developing strategies to address climate change on National Forests requires the involvement of both researchers and managers. This paper describes a workshop which allowed for the quick interchange of ideas and strategies for climate change adaptation in resource management. One of the workshop outcomes was the development of the product 'Adapting to Climate Change: A short course for land managers'. ~Posted July 2011
Carbon Estimation Tools: A Primer
Decision-support tools are meant to make life easier, but sometimes even choosing the right tool can be tricky! This is especially true for carbon estimation tools. ~Posted June 2011
A System for Assessing Vulnerability of Species to Climate Change
Designed for managers, SAVS is an easily applied tool that uses a questionnaire of 22 predictive criteria to create climate change vulnerability scores. The user scores species' attributes relating to potential vulnerability or resilience associated with climate change projections for their region. ~Posted June 2011
The CCRC is expandingThe CCRC is undergoing a major expansion from its original western focus to a national resource. ~Posted June 2011
Forest ecohydrological processes in a changing environment
The papers in this issue are a selection of the presentations made at the second International Conference on Forests and Water in a Changing Environment. This special issue covers topics regarding the effects of forest, land use and climate changes on ecohydrological processes across forest stand, watershed and regional spatial scales. ~Posted June 2011
New Tool! Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS)
FCCS quantifies and classifies the structural and geographical diversity of wildland fuels in the United States and predicts their relative fire hazard. Current versions also predict surface fire behavior and quantify carbon stores for each calculated fuelbed. ~Posted May 2011
Web Extra: Salmon Recovery 2011
Salmon and other cold-water fishes face many challenges to their continued survival and reproduction, and climate change is expected to exacerbate many of these challenges. Maintaining high-elevation salmon habitat may become more important as temperatures warm and lead to changes in stream flows and the timing of runnoff. A recent program on Idaho Public Television discusses the issue of salmon recovery in the western United States, with detail on climate change impacts available in the extra web-broadcast segment. ~Posted April 2011
Biophysical considerations in forestry for
climate protection
Forests have biophysical effects (e.g. changing land surface albedo, altering evapotranspiration) that can enhance or counteract their potential for carbon sequestration to reduce climate warming. This paper outlines research that suggests ways in which forestry projects can take biophysical interactions into account to maximize climate benefits. ~Posted April 2011
Climate Change and Federal Land Management A Comparison of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service Climate Change StrategiesThis report examines the strategies for responding to climate change from 3 major federal land management agencies (the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service). It compares and contrasts the goals, objectives and actions proposed by these plans in an effort to offer guidance to other organizations developing strategies, and to foster cooperation between agencies. ~Posted April 2011
Scanning the Conservation Horizon: A Guide to Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
The National Wildlife Federation has released a new guide that offers conservationists and resource managers a way to understand the impact of climate change on species and ecosystems and is intended to support efforts to safeguard these valuable natural resources. ~Posted March 2011
Google Earth EngineGoogle's philanthropic arm, Google.org, has announced the Google Earth Engine, which makes current and historical LANDSAT satellite imagery available via the Internet. This will facilitate monitoring of how land cover and forests are changing over time and provide a wealth of data and opportunities for research about the effects of climate change. ~Posted March 2011
Western US Stream Flow Metric Dataset
Climate change is projected to alter the flow regimes of streams and rivers, with consequences for aquatic ecosystems. An inter-agency team of researchers has developed a database of modeled stream flows for historical and future climate conditions for four major river basins in the Western US. . ~Posted March 2011
Natural Inquirer takes on climate change research
U.S. Forest Service scientists are putting the wonders of climate change into the hands of middle school students through the latest edition of the Natural Inquirer, a science education journal that showcases in-depth scientific research in a format for young people. ~Posted February 2011
Integrated management of carbon sequestration and biomass utilization opportunities in a changing climate: Proceedings of the 2009 National Silviculture WorkshopForests are important for carbon sequestration and how they are manipulated either through natural or human induced disturbances can have an effect on CO2 emissions and carbon sequestration. ~Posted January 2011
A Method for Assessing Carbon Stocks, Carbon Sequestration, and Greenhouse-Gas Fluxes in Ecosystems of the United States Under Present Conditions and Future ScenariosThe Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Section 712, mandates the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop a methodology and conduct an assessment of the Nation's ecosystems, focusing on carbon stocks, carbon sequestration, and emissions of three greenhouse gases (GHGs): carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. ~Posted January 2011
Designing Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives: A Toolkit for Practitioners
A step-by-step guide on how to develop adaptation initiatives in developing countries by the United Nations Development Programme. ~Posted December 2010
Climate Change, Aquatic Ecosystems, and Fishes in the Rocky Mountain West: Implications and Alternatives for ManagementThis report addresses: (1) What is changing in climate and related physical/hydrological processes that may influence aquatic species and their habitats? (2) What are the implications for fish populations, aquatic communities, and related conservation values? (3) What can we do about it? ~Posted December 2010
Climate Change Adaptation: What Federal Agencies are Doing
How are different Federal organizations approaching climate change adaptation? A new report from the non-partisan Pew Center on Global Climate Change highlights current strategies, programs, and resources for climate change adaptation across a range of Federal agencies. The USDA Forest Service is featured prominently in this report. ~Posted November 2010
Carbon in U.S. ForestsThe USDA Forest Service recently released new estimates of the total carbon storage of U.S. forests, highlighting the important role America's forests play in the fight against climate change. On average, the amount of carbon stored in forestland has increased over the past two decades. ~Posted November 2010
Invasive Species, Climate Change and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: Addressing Multiple Drivers of Global ChangeThis report is targeted at policy-makers, particularly those responsible for developing climate mitigation and adaption strategies that address issues like conservation, ecosystem services, agriculture and sustainable livelihoods. It focuses on the primary linkages between invasive species and climate change, as well as the secondary and tertiary interactions of their corresponding impacts. Finally, the enclosed recommendations are intended to provide guidance on the best ways to integrate invasive species prevention and management into the consideration of climate change responses across a range of sectors.. ~Posted October 2010
The potential influence of changing climate on the persistence of salmonids of the inland west
Warming during the 20th century drove a series of environmental trends that have profound implications for many aspects of salmonid habitat including disturbance regimes, such as wildfire, and unfavorable changes to thermal and hydrologic properties of aquatic systems. ~Posted October 2010
See our one page summaries for a selection of climate change tools. ~September 2010
Upcoming National Workshop on Forests and Climate: Planning Tools and Perspectives on Adaptation and Mitigation OptionsMay 16-18, 2011, Flagstaff, Arizona
State of the Climate in 2009 report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climatic Data Center As appearing in the June 2010 issue (Vol. 91) of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS). ~August 2010
National Roadmap for Responding to Climate Change
Based on regional guidance, individual units can put this roadmap to use, using a scorecard system to track local implementation. ~July 2010
Water, Climate Change, and Forests: Watershed Stewardship for a Changing Climate
Water from forested watersheds provides irreplaceable habitat for aquatic and riparian species and supports our homes, farms, industries, and energy production. Secure, high-quality water from forests is fundamental to our prosperity and our stewardship responsibility. ~July 2010
A Synthesis of the Science on Forests and Carbon for U.S. Forests
An overview of different management strategies for increasing forest carbon storage and their costs, benefits and tradeoffs. ~July 2010
Has the Sun been more active in recent decades, and could it be responsible for some global warming?
Scientists are still debating whether or not the Sun's activity increased during the latter half of the 20th century, but even the highest estimates of activity can't account for the warming observed since about 1950. NASA is the world expert on the sun, and you can read NASA's analysis by following the links. ~July 2010
Climate Change Resource Center Tools
We have done our best here to select tools that explain their appropriate applications and that openly disclose their strengths and weaknesses. ~June 2010
Climate change in the Tahoe basin: regional trends, impacts and drivers
The purpose of this study was to quantify the decadal-scale time trends in air temperature, precipitation phase and intensity, spring snowmelt timing, and lake temperature in the Tahoe basin, and to relate the trends to large-scale regional climatic trends in the western USA. ~April 2010
Science-Management Collaborations: Developing Adaptation Options for National Forests
Short Subjects from Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4 National Forests ~March 2010
American Pika are thriving in the Sierra Nevada and southwestern Great Basin
Recent publication concerning new discoveries on climate change and the American Pika. ~March 2010
The latest Mountain Research Initiative Newsletter is now available.
This covers a wide range of subjects and activities that address global change in mountain regions around the world. See previous issues of this newsletter here. ~October 2009
MTNCLIM 2010 Mountain Climate Research Conference
Dedicated to mountain climate sciences and effects of climate variability on ecosystems, natural resources, and conservation in western North American mountains. ~June 2009
Forest Service Global Change Research Strategy, 2009–2019
Strategy to increase understanding of forest, woodland, and grassland ecosystems so that they can be managed in a way that sustains and provides ecosystem services for future generations. ~June 2009
Adapting to climate change in United States national forests
A concise review of climate change adaptation options in the United States containing some practical information for resource managers to help them adapt their forest management goals and practices. ~March 2009
An Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Literature on Managing Forests for Carbon Benefits
Managing forests for carbon benefits is a consideration for climate change, bioenergy, sustainability, and ecosystem services. ~Feb 2009
US Forest Service - Climate Change Resource Center
Last Modified: Mar 19, 2013 03:58:53 PM