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Identifying and Evaluating Refugia from Drought and Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest

Identifying and evaluating refugia from drought and climate change in the Pacific Northwest
Principal Investigator
Jennifer Cartwright

Dates

Start Date
2016-06-15
End Date
2018-06-15
Release Date
2016

Summary

Warmer temperatures and less precipitation in the western U.S. related to climate change are harming many important natural resources, including forests, rivers, and many fish and wildlife species. Climate refugia provide a potential opportunity for conserving resources and biodiversity in the face of climate change. These refugia are places where the climate will likely change less than the surrounding landscape and/or places in a landscape where species may move to find more suitable climates. For example, because climate change may alter the frequency, duration, or severity of droughts, small habitats that naturally retain water (drought refugia) may become increasingly important to many natural wildlife communities. Although several [...]

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MtBaker_WA_AlanCressler.jpg
“Mt. Baker, Washington - Credit: Alan Cressler”
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Purpose

Climatic refugia have been widely discussed as a potential opportunity for conserving biodiversity in the face of climate change. Such refugia may represent places where the climate will likely change less than the surrounding landscape and/or places in a landscape to which species may move to find suitable climates. Because climate change may alter the frequency, duration, or severity of droughts, microhabitats that retain biologically-available water (drought refugia) may become increasingly important to the resilience of natural communities. Although several approaches have been suggested for refugia identification, systematic mapping and evaluation of refugia from drought and climate change have not yet been performed in the NW CSC region. Investigations are needed at multiple scales and degrees of spatial resolution to characterize and differentiate macrorefugia and microrefugia. Furthermore, spatial and ecological comparisons of various types of refugia—e.g. from temperature change, drought, and wildfire—are needed to synthesize scientific findings into actionable information for natural resource managers. This is an emerging field of research to which this project will make substantial and innovative contributions.

Project Extension

parts
typeTechnical Summary
valueClimatic refugia have been widely discussed as a potential opportunity for conserving biodiversity in the face of climate change. Such refugia may represent places where the climate will likely change less than the surrounding landscape and/or places in a landscape to which species may move to find suitable climates. Because climate change may alter the frequency, duration, or severity of droughts, microhabitats that retain biologically-available water (drought refugia) may become increasingly important to the resilience of natural communities. Although several approaches have been suggested for refugia identification, systematic mapping and evaluation of refugia from drought and climate change have not yet been performed in the NW CSC region. Investigations are needed at multiple scales and degrees of spatial resolution to characterize and differentiate macrorefugia and microrefugia. Furthermore, spatial and ecological comparisons of various types of refugia—e.g. from temperature change, drought, and wildfire—are needed to synthesize scientific findings into actionable information for natural resource managers. This is an emerging field of research to which this project will make substantial and innovative contributions.
projectStatusCompleted

Mt. Baker, Washington - Credit: Alan Cressler
Mt. Baker, Washington - Credit: Alan Cressler

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ScienceBase WMS

Communities

  • National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers
  • Northwest CASC

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Additional Information

Identifiers

Type Scheme Key
RegistrationUUID NCCWSC 5062e523-5e76-4aae-976c-382bfcc9bb0b
StampID NCCWSC NW16-CJ0543

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