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The State of Climate Adaptation in U.S. Marine Fisheries Management

This report presents the results of EcoAdapt’s efforts to survey adaptation action in marine fisheries management by examining the major climate impacts on marine and coastal fisheries in the United States, assessing related challenges to fisheries management, and presenting examples of actions taken to decrease vulnerability and/or increase resilience. First, we provide a summary of climate change impacts and secondary effects on fisheries, focusing on changes in air and water temperatures, precipitation patterns, storms, ocean circulation, sea level rise, and water chemistry.

Harmful Algal Blooms Analysis Tool

Tool Overview: 

The satellite imagery analysis tool provides a screening level analysis to prompt field verification and sampling to confirm the status of a suspected cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom and presence of toxic species. This map displays estimated levels of cyanobacteria in large water bodies, calculated from satellite imagery in order to better understand potential risks to public health. Data is displayed in map form to show the spatial extent of blooms and is also viewable in long and short timelines to show how concentrations vary over time.

Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)

Tool Overview: 

CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.  CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow).   By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. We are now in all fifty states. 

EnviroAtlas

Tool Overview: 

Human health and well-being are closely tied to the environment, which provides benefits such as clean water, clean air, and protection from natural hazards. Chemical and non-chemical stressors can impact the environment’s ability to provide these benefits, also known as ecosystem goods and services.  EnviroAtlas provides geospatial data, easy-to-use tools, and other resources related to ecosystem services, their stressors, and human health. 

Harmful Algal BloomS Observing System (HABSOS)

Tool Overview: 

HABSOS is a data collection and distribution system for harmful algal bloom (HAB) information in the Gulf of Mexico. The goal of HABSOS is to provide environmental managers, scientists, and the public with a data driven resource for HAB events. Cell counts and environmental information are combined into a single product and distributed on a map powered by ArcGIS. HABSOS strives to provide the most accurate picture of harmful algal bloom location and quantity by using the latest sample data available.  

Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)

Tool Overview: 

The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a national-regional partnership working to provide new tools and forecasts to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect our environment. Integrated ocean information is available in near real time, as well as retrospectively. Easier and better access to this information is improving our ability to understand and predict coastal events - such as storms, wave heights, and sea level change. Such knowledge is needed for everything from retail to development planning.

Managing Risks to Conservation Investments Through Climate Adaptation: A Practical Guide for Funders

The Problem: As climate change advances and its pace quickens, traditional conservation goals and strategies are increasingly at risk of failure. The scientific consensus is clear: climate change is happening and human activities, including fossil fuel emissions and land conversion, are the reason. Because climate governs the basis for life, changes in climate will affect natural systems and species around the globe. For conservation investors—philanthropic organizations, private donors, public agencies, and local governments—this presents a challenge.

Changes on the Horizon: Land trusts prepare for climate change exploring by adaptation methods

As climate change continues to affect natural systems in the coming years, land trusts may need to adapt their approach, their properties and even their guiding philosophies. What do we do about climate change? This is the essential question of climate change adaptation. And, for many land trusts, what to do and how to adapt are becoming central to everything from the drafting of conservation easements and the siting of buildings to the rethinking of what should be protected in the first place. 

Briefing: Climate and Wildfire in Western U.S. Forests

Wildfire in western U.S. federally managed forests has increased substantially in recent decades, with large (>1000 acre) fires in the decade through 2012 over five times as frequent (450 percent increase) and burned area over ten times as great (930 percent increase) as the 1970s and early 1980s. These changes are closely linked to increased temperatures and a greater frequency and intensity of drought. Projected additional future warming implies that wildfire activity may continue to increase in western forests.