Skip to main content

National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Summary

The National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) work to provide natural resource managers with the tools and information they need to develop and execute management strategies that address the impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife and their habitats. The National CASC (NCASC) is a part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Ecosystems Mission Area and acts as the managing entity for the nine regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs). The National and Regional CASCs partner closely with natural and cultural resource managers and scientists from inside and outside of government to gather the information and build the tools needed to help fish and wildlife and their habitats and ecosystems adapt to climate [...]

Child Items (11)

Contacts

Contact :
Emily M Fort

Attached Files

Click on title to download individual files attached to this item.

addProjectLinks.groovy 2.74 KB text/x-groovy
addProjectTagsToChildren.groovy 4.47 KB text/x-groovy
BabyMoose_AK_BobWick_BLM.jpg
“Baby Moose in Alaska; Credit - Bob Wick, BLM”
thumbnail 442.98 KB image/jpeg
setBrowseCategoryDataInApprovedDataSets.groovy 1.99 KB text/x-groovy
Baby Moose in Alaska; Credit - Bob Wick, BLM
Baby Moose in Alaska; Credit - Bob Wick, BLM

Map

Spatial Services

ScienceBase WMS

Associated Items

Provenance

Additional Information

Expando Extension

object
agendas
themes
number1
questionContinue development of climate science and modeling capabilities to provide resource managers and researchers across all disciplines reliable and defensible information on the range of probable future climate conditions and associated uncertainty in the Northwest.
nameClimate Science & Modeling
options
aCoordinate with and leverage efforts at the national level to advance techniques of analyzing and downscaling global and regional climate models as appropriate for the Northwest, including the understanding, quantification, and characterization of climate model uncertainty.
bConnect with and leverage efforts at the national level to advance the understanding of nonlinear behavior of climate systems, and feedbacks between climate systems and other physical and biological systems, including development and application of coupled regional models suitable to this task.
cDevelop a data infrastructure for documentation, storage, and dissemination of a well-vetted set of future climate scenarios including multimodel ensembles, along with guidance regarding appropriate interpretation, use, and uncertainty.
dIdentify metadata standards for model data sets to ensure data are properly documented and appropriate for specific uses.
number2
questionCharacterize and model the response of physical systems (for example hydrologic, atmospheric, and earth-systems) to historic and future temperature and precipitation, taking into consideration the effects of uncertainty. Key among these processes is the hydrologic response, which directly influences streams and groundwater resources, ecosystems, historical and cultural resources, and ecosystem services.
nameResponse of Physical Systems to Climate Change
options
aAdvance understanding of the response of hydrologic systems to future climate, including changes in snow hydrology, alpine glaciers, streams (both perennial and intermittent), lakes (both lotic and lentic systems), groundwater systems, wetlands, water temperature, water quality, and extreme events. This need relates to effects on aquatic habitat, as well as the timing and amount of water available for agricultural and municipal use, recreation, wildlife and stock use, and power generation. The hydrologic response also affects understanding of drought, flood risk, reservoir operations, and land management.
bAdvance understanding of changes in physical and chemical processes in marine systems, including sea level rise, salinity, acidity, circulation patterns, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, intensity of storm events, and shoreline erosion.
cAdvance understanding of atmospheric fluxes of carbon dioxide, other greenhouse gases, and water, as well as other of atmospheric processes, such as acid and nutrient deposition, airborne dust, and other contaminants.
dImprove understanding of erosion, mass wasting, and sediment transport processes (including both wind and water) resulting from changes in precipitation and stream flow, sea level rise, and glacier retreat, particularly as they relate to hazards, water quality, aquatic habitat, cultural resources, and infrastructure.
eQuantify probable changes in soil moisture and energy, particularly as they relate to vegetation, evapotranspiration, and hydrologic budgets. This need includes effects to irrigated agriculture (e.g., soil suitability, water consumption rates, and cropping patterns).
fAdvance understanding of probable changes in air and water temperatures, and develop projections of the potential impacts to affected physical and biological systems.
number3
questionCharacterize and model the response of biota, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and biogeochemical systems to changing climate, specifically including the effects of uncertainty. Characterization may include analysis of historic data, field research, and model analysis, as well as other approaches. The efforts in Research Theme 2 complement and provide the physical template for understanding the biological systems in this theme. The elements of this theme have importance to biodiversity, biotic components of culturally important landscapes, as well as ecosystem services.
nameResponse of Biological Systems to Climate Change
options
aCharacterize the response of species, populations, and ecosystems to climate change.
bImprove understanding of threats to habitat connectivity and potential for fragmentation of terrestrial, aquatic, marine, and nearshore habitats.
cContinue to advance understanding and modeling of changes in fire regimes.
dContinue to develop understanding of the ecology and potential impacts of invasive species, plant and animal diseases, harmful algal blooms, pathogens, and epidemic insect infestations.
eEnhance understanding of carbon cycling, biological carbon sequestration, and carbon emissions, particularly as they relate to land management, mitigation, and adaptation strategies.
fImprove understanding of potential changes in phenology (relative timing of physical and biological cycles) and related monitoring needs.
gImprove understanding of the feedback between biological systems and processes, and physical systems and processes (including climate).
number4
questionIdentify vulnerabilities of specific physical systems, ecosystems, human health, cultural resources, and infrastructure to climate change, and identify actions or practices that may improve prospects for adaptation. This theme complements understandings developed in Research Themes 2 and 3.
nameVulnerability and Adaptation
options
aAssess the vulnerabilities (as well as resiliencies) of terrestrial, aquatic, and near-shore marine ecosystems, as well as individual species and populations, to climate change and non-climate-change stressors.
bIdentify vulnerabilities of physical and biological systems and landscape characteristics critical to Native American Tribes. These efforts must consider the unique relation between Tribes and the landscape, and the large degree to which Tribes rely on the landscape for their economic well-being and cultural identity.
cAssess climate-related increases in vulnerability of threatened and endangered species or other species of concern.
dIdentify vulnerabilities of freshwater resources, particularly as they relate to ecosystem needs, cultural and historical resources, human needs, infrastructure, and shifting demands.
eDevelop adaptation strategies for vulnerabilities identified at the full range of spatial scales.
number5
questionEvaluate, enhance, develop (if necessary) new programs for monitoring and observation of key physical and biological systems, and develop systematic methods for analyzing, storing, and serving information. This theme centers on the need for data (including traditional knowledge) required to quantify physical and biological processes, track changes, and evaluate effectiveness of adaptation and mitigation measures.
nameMonitoring and Observation Systems
options
aInventory and evaluate existing monitoring networks, expand and modify networks as necessary, and, where feasible, integrate efforts across agencies. Ensure monitoring and observation efforts inform understanding of physical and biological systems, and inform assessment and modification of adaptation efforts.
bDevelop new metrics for tracking the response of physical systems, ecosystems, and individual biota to climate change, and establish new monitoring and observation systems where needed.
cUse models, where applicable, to evaluate data from and guide design of monitoring networks.
number6
questionImprove methods for data analysis and storage, modeling, forecasting, and decision-support. This cross-cutting theme relates to science application across the full range of disciplines, processes, and scales. Efforts related to decision support systems should be coordinated with the CDSC.
nameData, Infrastructure, Analysis, and Modeling
options
aExpand retrospective analyses of the response of physical and biological systems to historic climate and advance paleoclimate research. This effort needs to occur at a range of scales and, where possible, incorporate traditional knowledge.
bContinue development and application of a set of coherent and well-vetted models of regional climate, physical and biological systems, using best practices and employing multimodel ensembles. Develop standard methods for evaluating model application, calibration, and uncertainty.
cIncorporate models into decision support systems.
dCharacterize and, where possible, quantify uncertainty. Develop methods to include uncertainty in decision making and to characterize and assess risk associated with action or non-action.
eImprove existing (or develop new) data management practices and, as appropriate, infrastructure to ensure common standards for data collection and processing, formatting, quality assurance, storage and archiving, and data sharing.
number7
questionDevelop strategies for communicating results and current thinking to the full range of agencies, stakeholders, and the general public. Efforts under this theme relate to all other science themes and should be coordinated with other major efforts such as the LCCs and the NOAA-funded Pacific Northwest Climate Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC), as appropriate. Because of the importance of communication of science findings to society at large, particular attention should be paid to communication of science findings to non-science agencies, agency staff, and the general public.
nameCommunication of Science Findings
options
aDevelop an information infrastructure that allows on-the-ground resource managers and non-technical decision makers ready access to current, thoroughly peer reviewed syntheses of climate science, future climate projections, assessments of uncertainty, responses of physical and biological systems, and vulnerabilities. The overall goal of such an effort would be to enable users to have a single source of information they need for resource management and decision support.
bTranslate and transfer scientific information and data to scientists, resource managers, stakeholders, and the general public in a manner appropriate to target audience. Utilize as appropriate the full range of tools and techniques, such as factsheets, websites, webinars, seminars, workshops, and training courses.
nameNorthwest CSC Agenda
id4f4e476ae4b07f02db47e13b
urlhttp://www.doi.gov/csc/northwest/upload/NW-CSC-Science-Agenda-2012-2015.pdf
themes
number1
questionStakeholder Information Needs
nameStakeholder Information Needs
options
aScale-appropriate climate models for resource decision making
bLinked hydrologic and ecosystem models and metrics
cLinked climate and hydrologic/ecosystem models
dExtreme event projections
eSea-level rise and ocean acidification effects projections
fEcosystem and species resilience knowledge
gEffective monitoring strategies
hStakeholder-scientist communication
number2
questionFiscal Year 13 Project Priorities
nameFiscal Year 13 Project Priorities
options
aForecasting climate change and variability at intermediate time scales
bLinking climatic, hydrological and ecological changes at intermediate time scales
cHydrological implications of climate change in the Southwest
number3
questionFiscal Year 14 Project Priorities
nameFiscal Year 14 Project Priorities
options
aEffects of climate change on coastlines, estuaries and wetlands
bOptimal design and implementation of monitoring strategies
cHydroclimatic change and terrestrial ecosystems
number4
questionSW CSC Research Theme
nameSW CSC Research Theme
options
aClimate science and forecasting: Downscaling of climate models, Uncertainty assessment, Anthropogenic and natural variability interaction
bHydroclimate and water availability: Temperature and precipitation projections, Extreme event scenarios, Paleoclimate contextualization
cEcological responses and vulnerabilities: Species and ecosystem responses, Adaptive capacity assessment, Ecological resilience to climate variability and change
dDesigning monitoring strategies: Critical data gap analysis, Data overlap analysis, Development of strategies for monitoring
eEstablishing best information exchange practices: Connection of knowledge needs with science capacity, Documentation of best practices for future application
number5
questionTraditional Ecological Knowledge
nameTraditional Ecological Knowledge
options
aYes
bNo
nameSouthwest CSC Agenda
descriptionSouthwest CSC Agenda
id4f4e476ae4b07f02db47e13b

Community Extension

savedSearches
nameProjectData
descriptionNCCWSC Project Data
titleNCCWSC Project Data
uri?q=&filter=browseCategory!%3DProject&filter=browseCategory%3DData
nameProjects
descriptionNCCWSC Projects
titleNCCWSC Projects
uri?q=&filter=browseCategory%3DProject

Item Actions

View Item as ...

Save Item as ...

View Item...