Evaluating Adaptations of Desert Bighorn Sheep to Climate Change in the Southwestern U.S.

In the southwestern U.S., climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme droughts and cause an overall decrease in precipitation and increase in temperatures. These changes could impact a wide range of species in the region, even those adapted to living in arid environments. It’s possible that some species may be able to adapt to changing conditions by migrating to new locations or altering their behavior, while others may have genetic traits that activate physiological changes to cope with heat and water stress. This project focused on desert bighorn sheep and explored potential adaptations that may help them persist despite varying climates throughout their range. Previous research has shown...

Categories: Project; Types: Map Service, OGC WFS Layer, OGC WMS Layer, OGC WMS Service; Tags: 2014, CASC, Completed, Drought, Drought, All tags... Drought, Drought, Fire and Extreme Weather, Drought, Fire and Extreme Weather, Mammals, Mammals, National CASC, National CASC, Projects by Region, Ungulates, Vulnerability Assessment, Wildlife and Plants, Wildlife and Plants, desert bighorn sheep, Fewer tags