Challenge: Capacity/expertise limitations at state agencies have resulted in varied and often only partial consideration of climate change impacts.
Principal Investigator(s):
- Hugh Ratcliffe (Climate Adaptation Science Centers)
Co-Investigator(s):
- Olivia E LeDee (Climate Adaptation Science Centers)
- Marta P Lyons (Climate Adaptation Science Centers)
Cooperator/Partner(s):
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
As part of the State Wildlife Grant Fund, states are required to submit State Wildlife Plans (SWAPs) every 10 years detailing threats to habitats and species and conservation plans. However, incorporating climate change in SWAPs is voluntary, and capacity/expertise limitations at state agencies have resulted in varied and often only partial consideration of climate change impacts. In response, the MW CASC will conduct literature reviews to assess climate stressors and impacts to habitats and key species and to identify relevant adaptation actions for 13 different Level 2/3 EPA Ecoregions contained within the MW CASC area states. This work will provide a foundation for future habitat vulnerability assessments.
More specifically, the research team aims to provide an up-to-date overview of relevant climate stressors, trends, and projected changes across multiple scenarios for each ecoregion and associated major natural habitat types; provide a literature review/synthesis of direct and indirect climate change impacts on the identified habitats and their key/dominant species; and provide a detailed overview of adaptation actions relevant to specific habitats and the negative impacts they face. The products of this project will help states to inform species and habitat management priorities and plans outlined within the 2025 SWAP.
Read more from CASC Project Explorer.