Significant changes to the distribution of climates known to be suitable for biomes found within the SRLCC are predicted by the decade surrounding 2090. This is apparent in upland regions, with alpine tundra being squeezed out by subalpine conifer forests, and subalpine conifer forests by montane forests. All biomes associated with the GB are predicted to have their suitability grow in area except GB Shrub-Grassland with a 62,104 Km2 loss. By 2090 it is possible that the four GB biomes will constitute over 70% of the SRLCC. RM Montane and RM Subalpine Conifer Forests will be reduced from 13% and 7% to 9% and 3%. Climates suitable to Mohave and Sonoran Desertscrubs are projected to expand further up Grand Canyon onto the Colorado Plateau, [...]
Summary
Significant changes to the distribution of climates known to be suitable for biomes found within the SRLCC are predicted by the decade surrounding 2090. This is apparent in upland regions, with alpine tundra being squeezed out by subalpine conifer forests, and subalpine conifer forests by montane forests. All biomes associated with the GB are predicted to have their suitability grow in area except GB Shrub-Grassland with a 62,104 Km2 loss. By 2090 it is possible that the four GB biomes will constitute over 70% of the SRLCC. RM Montane and RM Subalpine Conifer Forests will be reduced from 13% and 7% to 9% and 3%. Climates suitable to Mohave and Sonoran Desertscrubs are projected to expand further up Grand Canyon onto the Colorado Plateau, making their way to the region surrounding Lake Powell. Semidesert Grasslands are projected to expand into the Great Plains and Chihuhuan Desertscrubs further up the Rio Grande Valley to the region surrounding Albuquerque.
Rehfeldt, G. E., Crookston, N. L.., Saenz-Romero, C., Campbell, E. M. 2012. North American vegetation model for land-use planning in a changing climate: A solution to large classification problems. Ecological Applications. 22(1): 119-141.