• Ecosystems Resources

Biodiversity and Ecosystems Assessments and Tools

This tab presents federal, state, and local climate science, tools, and assessments examining the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems.  

Resources are automatically presented by rating, but can also be sorted by date and title. Apply additional filters to narrow the list by resource type, impact, region, state, or jurisdictional focus.

 

 

297 results are shown below.

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Sea Level Rise Response Strategy Worcester County, Maryland

September 2008

From the Worcester County Department of Comprehensive Planning, this strategy informs local stakeholders, including planners and developers, about options that Worcester County, Maryland has to adapt to sea level rise and land subsidence. The analysis utilized various sea level rise models and a vulnerability assessment to inform the development of response strategies and recommendations for the county.

Resource Category: Planning

 

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Global Warming in the Free State

July 2008

This comprehensive climate change impact assessment was developed to support adaptation planning in the state of Maryland. It was prepared by a Scientific and Technical Working Group, by leading experts in the state in climate change and its impacts, including experts from the University of Maryland.  This assessment informed development of the state's Phase II Adaptation Strategy, A Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland's Vulnerability to Climate Change.

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Synthesis and Assessment Product (SAP) 4.3: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity

May 2008

This report is one in a series of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products (SAPs) produced between 2004 and 2009, aimed at providing current assessments of climate change science in the U. S. to inform public debate, policy, and operational decisions. SAPs are being produced under the auspices of the U. S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), which coordinates the climate change research activities of U. S. government agencies. The lead sponsor of this particular assessment product is the U. S.

Authors or Affiliated Users: Peter Backlund, Anthony Janetos, David Schimel, J. Hatfield, K. Boote, P. Fay, L. Hahn, C. Izaurralde, B.A. Kimball, T. Mader, J. Morgan, D. Ort, W. Polley, A. Thomson, D. Wolfe, M.G. Ryan, S.R. Archer, R. Birdsey, C. Dahm, L. Heath, J. Hicke, D. Hollinger, T. Huxman, G. Okin, R. Oren, J. Randerson, W. Schlesinger, D. Lettenmaier, D. Major, L. Poff, S. Running, L. Hansen, D. Inouye, B.P. Kelly, L. Meyerson, B. Peterson, R. Shaw.

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Ahead of the Storm: Preparing Toronto for Climate Change

April 18, 2008

The Toronto City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive strategy to respond to climate change, known as the "Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan" in 2007. The development and establishment of a climate change adaptation strategy is one of the actions contained in the Plan. As such, this report provides a framework designed to help members of the public and other stakeholders engage in the process of formulating and implementing a climate change adaptation strategy for Toronto.

Resource Category: Planning

 

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Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission 2008 Final Report

March 17, 2008

In May 2006, the Alaska Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution 30, creating an Alaska Climate Impact Commission. The Commission was charged with assessing the impacts and costs of climate change to Alaska and developing recommendations for preventative measures potentially implemented by Alaskan communities and governments. The eleven-member commission released their final report in March 2008

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Hotter and Drier: The West's Changed Climate

March 2008

Comparing average temperatures in the last five years to 20th century averages, the West has experienced 70 percent more warming than the world as a whole. This report assesses impacts the West faces with rising temperatures and changes in precipitation levels and patterns. Chapters 6 and 7 provide an overview of mitigation actions to date (2008) and makes high-level recommendations for policymakers. Appendix A provides a 100-year analysis of warming for each of the 11 states in the West (1908-2007).

Authors or Affiliated Users: Stephen Saunders, Charles Montgomery, Tom Easley, Theo Spencer

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Effects of Climate Change on Aquatic Invasive Species and Implications for Management and Research

March 2008

The report is intended for managers and scientists working with AIS to provide them with information on the potential effects of climate change on AIS, strategies for adapting their management to accommodate these environmental changes, and highlight further research needs and gaps. Invasive species are one of the leading causes of degraded ecological condition and ecosystem services, and climate change has the potential to interact with this stressor through multiple mechanisms. The report assesses the state of the science of climate change effects on aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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The Capacity and Likelihood of Climate Change Adaptation in the World's Fisheries

February 13, 2008

Contributing scientists have calculated the likely impact of climate change on the distribution of more than 1,000 species of fish around the world. This research was carried out by scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA), the Sea Around Us project at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Princeton University.

Authors or Affiliated Users: William Cheung, Vicky Lam, Jorge Sarmiento, Kelly Kearney, Reg Watson, Daniel Pauly

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Impacts of Climate Change for the State of Indiana

February 2008

This report summarizes the likely and potential impacts of climate change for the state of Indiana. Impacts are described for Indiana's water resources, agriculture, plants and animals, soils, human health, as well as on the demands on heating and cooling.

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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A Screening Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Mitigation in the Great Lakes and New England Regions

February 2008

This report presents the potential implications of climate change on combined sewer overflow (CSO) mitigation in the Great Lakes and New England Regions. It is not a detailed analysis of individual systems in these regions. The purpose of this assessment was 1) to determine whether the potential implications of climate change on CSOs in these regions warranted further consideration and study, and 2) to evaluate the need for decision support tools and information that would enable combined sewer system (CSS) managers to incorporate the consideration of climate change into their decision making processes.

Authors or Affiliated Users: John Furlow, Thomas Johnson, Britta G. Bierwagen, J. Randall Freed, Jeremy Sharfenberg, Sarah Shapiro

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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